Eva Charlotte Larsson Ruiz should not be alive.
Having survived a sky diving accident, known as a ‘bounce’, Eva LIVES her life in a manner which many of us cannot fully comprehend. Facing her mortality, several times throughout her life, Eva’s perspective provides a gift to many of us. Eva focuses on being present and accepting every day. Her clear sense of calm and contemplation brings a feeling of peace to those around her.
I am honored to share Eva’s story with our Kuel Life Community – Week 44 of our Share Your Story series.
KUELLIFE: What are you pursuing now, at this stage of your life, that surprises you or might appear to others as if it comes out of left field?
EVA CHARLOTTE: Hmm, I’m not sure if anything might appear to come out of left field for others… or maybe it’s more true to say that everything does… from the point of view of others. My life path has always… even from a young age… been driven by less common motivations – money, power, recognition, relationships etc was never my driving factor. Instead a deep desire for freedom has guided me… taking me on a journey of awakening that now fills my heart with joy and peace everyday. So… the unfoldment of my life at this stage is just a natural continuation of my ongoing journey – no surprises there – at least not from my point of view.
KUELLIFE: What’s a typical day like for you?
EVA CHARLOTTE: Being as present as possible with whatever is arising. I strive to accept and embrace whatever external circumstances that are present. The same is true for whatever is present within my physical being – joy, laziness, inspiration, fear, pain etc. Sometimes these inner or outer circumstances require me to take some kind of action. At times nothing can be done in ways of action, but I can still shift my own inner state of being. Sometimes there is nothing needed to be done… and I can just Be.
“I see struggling as a choice, and why would I choose that? “
KUELLIFE: With what do you struggle?
EVA CHARLOTTE: I don’t believe in struggle. I see struggling as a choice – and why would I choose that? Pain, whether it is physical, mental or emotional, is part of human life… and of course I experience that as well. However, it only becomes a struggle when we hold on to or resist what is present… and for the most part, I don’t do that any longer.
KUELLIFE: How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated?
EVA CHARLOTTE: It was interesting to witness where this question took me, within myself. My reflection is that motivation is like a carrot to inspire some kind of action. If I gain weight I’m inspired to exercise for instance. For the most part my “motivation” comes from inspiration. I find that when I consciously choose to stay aligned within myself, inspiration/motivation comes naturally. Consequently, if I’m not inspired, my focus becomes to get re-aligned within myself again.
KUELLIFE: What advice would you give fellow women about aging?
EVA CHARLOTTE: Enjoy it to the fullest. Aging is a natural part of being human… and again, anything we resist brings suffering. We cannot avoid aging, not while continuing to live at least. Of course, we can do whatever we can to age “gracefully”, by taking good care of our body, mind, and emotional state. If that brings you joy, by all means go for it. But if that is a struggle, if there’s guilt, shame, and blame involved… then no, it is not helpful. Any struggle will ultimately make us “age” quicker, even if the external image seemingly is still looking young.
“I see vulnerability as something we choose, not as something that is happening to us.”
KUELLIFE: What does vulnerability mean to you? What has the ability to make you vulnerable?
EVA CHARLOTTE: For me, vulnerability is to be able to be authentic with whatever is arising within my human being. The body/mind/emotion carries imprints of everything we have ever experienced, and these imprints are then triggered by similar circumstances. For instance… if I have been hurt in the past by deep betrayal, I might react with fear or anger if someone breaks an agreement, no matter how small. To be able to be with that when it is arising (as opposed to reacting to it) – first within myself, then with others – allows me to be vulnerable. I see vulnerability as something we choose, not as something that is happening to us. Nothing “makes me” vulnerable…
KUELLIFE: What are three events that helped to shape your life?
EVA CHARLOTTE: Oh wow… there are so many; from the tiniest to the grandest. The three that comes to mind, are my three interactions with my own mortality. A skydiving accident I “should not” have survived. My journey with Lyme disease over many years. Broken heart syndrome in the form of heart failure while traveling in Ecuador. So grateful for all three of them… they brought me Life!
KUELLIFE: Who influenced you the most in life and why?
EVA CHARLOTTE: Every time period in my life, has had someone special, showing the way to what’s next on this human journey of spiritual awakening. Early in my life it was my friend Anette… simply by accepting me as I am. She still does. My friend Boris opened my eyes to my spiritual gifts… and his suicide was an incredible gift, as painful as it was at the time. A personal apprentice ship with Don Miguel Ruiz shifted the insecure little girl into an aware woman. Lincoln Gergar has been instrumental in me living an embodied openhearted life. So many more. Then there are all those that I do not know personally, but still have influenced me by their way of being in the world… from the homeless man I had incredible conversations with, to public figures making a difference through their authentic living. Very grateful.
KUELLIFE: What is the best advice you’ve been given from another woman?
EVA CHARLOTTE: Go where you are celebrated, not just accepted.
KUELLIFE: What woman inspires you and why?
EVA CHARLOTTE: All women who are able to navigate womanhood in all its facets without losing their divine feminine features and powers. As women, in a world driven by patriarchal values, it’s easy to put emphasis on our masculine traits to “get ahead in the world”, thus feeding into the imbalance we see in the world. Being able to walk this world with balanced and aligned feminine and masculine energies is incredibly powerful, and seeing that in another woman always inspires me.
KUELLIFE: Are you grown-up?
EVA CHARLOTTE: Define “grown-up” 🙂 If being grown-up means losing a childlike playfulness and curiosity, then no I’m not. Why would anyone want to do that – and yet, most humans do.
KUELLIFE: What do you do for self-care?
EVA CHARLOTTE: My self-care is on all levels… physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. I do my best to keep all aspects of my being nourished, healthy, and happy. I personally feel that it is most effective from inside – out. Any external action, input or circumstance is secondary to my ability to stay happy, with a peaceful mind and relaxed body, while spiritually aligned.
KUELLIFE: And last but definitely NOT least: What are the top three things on your bucket list?
EVA CHARLOTTE: Writing my first book and having it published is definitively on the list. I love to travel and if that ever becomes as readily available to us again; Tibet, Egypt and several other places are on my travel bucket list. But the most important one is mastering conscious creation… being a conscious soul in human form creating with awareness.
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