The annual Spring Solstice celebration at Terra Noble, Jorge Rubio’s pre-Hispanic architectural gem high on a hill privileged with soul-inspiring vistas of Vallarta and the bay, was exactly what the doctor ordered for March 21.

The first day of spring, as well as a Mexican national holiday in honor of popular former president Benito Juarez (said to be a really nice guy who actually put the welfare of his country first), about 200 began their day off by celebrating nature’s comforting rhythm as civilizations have done for eons.

As cleansing breezes blew, a ritual involving dance, conch blowing and blessings to the four directions was enacted. And Luz de Gracia’s uplifting words in both English and Spanish about living in a state of love were a healing balm for the heart in these troubled days for the planet.

My belief is that, since all mankind is one, what happens to each of us happens to us all on a spiritual level. Yet, I’m having a hard time dealing with what’s going on, feeling guilty, if not somehow responsible, for the suffering of others. So Luz’s words were important to hear.

“Love is not a verb, as in I love you or you love me, but a state of being, a way of living,” she said. “And only love can conquer fear. If it were meant to be our destiny, we would be in Iraq, not this beautiful, peaceful corner of the world. But we’re not, and we needn’t feel guilty about it.”

I was grateful for the reminder that the best thing we can do for the planet is to love one another – and ourselves – and give ourselves permission to be happy.

In that much more positive frame of mind, I enjoyed the energy and talent contributed by several musicians at the pier on Los Muertos beach that evening, several in the audience boogying in the moonlight at the water’s edge. All in all, March 21 was a wonderful beginning to a fresh, new season of rebirth. And, as with much that happens in Puerto Vallarta, it all was free.

It’s really interesting and fun to see how our art scene is evolving. Along with a healthy number of mainstream galleries in easy-to-find locations, a new genre of home studio galleries is emerging – Ada Colorina’s in Paso Ancho, Debra Drayton and Galileo’s in El Caloso and Cathy von Rohr’s off-the-beaten-path in Emiliano Zapata, for example. These laid-back venues offer quality works of art, as well as pleasant surprises for those discovering hidden corners of Vallarta by attending their openings. What’s already happened since Cathy’s studio opened on Manuel Dieguez is that there’s now a well-stocked art supply store next door and a bohemian-feeling bistro next to that, called Naif, serving prix fixe lunches and a la carte dinners in an intimate atmosphere.

The human scale of these places is part of what I most love about living here. There’s nothing cookie cutter about Vallarta, and surprises are commonplace. If you value spice in your life, you’re sure to find it here.

And recently, more and more are deciding that’s exactly what they want – along with peace and security. Real estate sales are higher than they’ve been in quite some time, local agency PV Realty selling 14 properties last month alone, including the most expensive condo ever sold in Vallarta. And with the volatile stock market and Homeland Security on the tip of everyone’s tongue up north, living here – and having fun – is looking better all the time.

If you have any comments, questions or suggestions about what you’re reading, you’re encouraged to let me know at heather@mexmags.com.