“With a Spark in the Eye” – A Meeting at the Folk High School in Radawnica on Courage, Closeness, and Designing Life on Your Own Terms

One such event, “With a Spark in the Eye,” took place recently at the Folk High School in Radawnica. As participants noted afterward, it felt like a warm fireside conversation—full of inspiration, closeness, and reflections on what truly matters in life. Many arrived hoping to gain new insights; some looked for a moment of peace and contemplation; others sought motivation to make tangible changes in their lives. Indeed, it was hard to leave the event without feeling that something new had been sparked in both heart and mind.

The Folk High School in Radawnica – Tradition Meets Modernity

Before diving into the details of the event, it’s worth sharing a bit about the history and mission of the Folk High School in Radawnica. Although its name may conjure up images of traditional folk high schools from the early 20th century—institutions that were vital for cultural and educational development in rural communities—Radawnica’s initiative bridges the spirit of those times with the needs of contemporary individuals.

Folk high schools in Poland—and across Europe, where this movement blossomed between the late 19th and early 20th centuries—were designed to create a community of learners and teachers who exchange experiences, passions, and knowledge in a way that is accessible, close to real life, and often apart from rigid educational structures. In Radawnica, located in a picturesque region, this idea has found new life. It focuses on building relationships and intergenerational dialogue, while emphasizing the importance of discovering inner balance in the midst of nature.

The mission of the Folk High School in Radawnica is to create a space in which everyone can draw from the richness of Polish culture and tradition, while also engaging with modern challenges and seeking creative, forward-looking solutions. Against this backdrop, “With a Spark in the Eye” was the perfect occasion to pause the daily grind and discover inspiration for living life on one’s own terms.

“With a Spark in the Eye” – The Name and Its Concept

The title of the event—“With a Spark in the Eye”—suggests the joy, passion, and enthusiasm we hope to notice in our everyday lives. That “spark” often appears when we are in love with what we do, when a new project or challenge excites us, or when we have the courage to pursue our dreams—even if it involves stepping into the unknown.

It was precisely this type of courage that defined our special guests and main speakers, Kasia and Rafał Bartosiak, who shared their story throughout the evening. From the moment they started speaking, you could see in their eyes that eponymous “spark”—both an inner strength and a warmth that they extended to everyone in the room.

Kasia and Rafał’s Story – A Path to Living on Your Own Terms

Kasia and Rafał are a couple whose journey could serve as the basis for a fascinating book. For years, they sought something beyond merely meeting external expectations. They worked, tackled tasks, and kept up with the demands of everyday life—falling into the rhythm so familiar to most of us. Yet a persistent question remained in the back of their minds: “Is this really what life is all about?” Over time, they began to sense that the daily grind—though routine and predictable—can lead to burnout, dissatisfaction, and a growing sense of disconnection in relationships.

Their turning point came in a seemingly ordinary moment: during a simple walk. They had meant it as a brief respite from the day’s pressures. But during that walk, they realized that sometimes it’s necessary to pause and ask yourself, ‘What’s the purpose of all this?’ This thought kept echoing within them—so they decided to step back, evaluate their lives, and ultimately commit to living by their own standards.

At the event in Radawnica, Kasia and Rafał emphasized that this choice was anything but easy. Embracing it required a good deal of courage—to slow down, move away from ingrained habits, and leave well-known routines behind. Even patterns that exhaust us can become “comfortable” simply because they are familiar. Thus, opting for a slower pace and rethinking priorities entails facing the unknown and confronting your own fears.

As they described, a pivotal point arrived when they “stood at the edge of a cliff,” a metaphor for being on the brink of a difficult decision, which in turn helped them see where they truly wanted to head next. It’s often only in moments of crisis or when facing a boundary that we recognize what really matters to us. For some, such a turning point might be an illness, losing a job, or the end of a relationship. For Kasia and Rafał, it was the realization that they did not want to continue living as they had for the next 5, 10, or 20 years. And since that was the case, they had no choice but to take action.

Home and PLENER – A Place of Closeness

Today, Kasia and Rafał run a home together and also oversee a space called PLENER. In their day-to-day lives, they share responsibilities so they won’t drift apart in the frenzy of daily tasks—a key concern for them. They repeated time and again that closeness is at the heart of everything: making sure they are not limited to a few exhausted moments at the end of the day, when there’s barely enough energy left for conversation or affection.

Yet PLENER is not merely a physical space; it’s primarily an idea that invites others to engage with nature, explore art, experience new tastes and scents, and, above all, connect with other people. PLENER hosts workshops, gatherings, and cultural events that encourage participants to remember the importance of truly being present—mindful and fully in the moment.

Kasia and Rafał also shared their own strategies for managing household responsibilities so that their home life doesn’t turn into an ongoing contest over “who does more.” In their view, open dialogue is crucial, as is being honest about boundaries and expectations. When communication is lacking, both partners can easily feel burdened, frustrated, or just plain lonely. However, when we talk openly about our needs, we can arrange daily tasks in a way that leaves time for shared passions, personal growth, and simply enjoying each other’s company.

Evening Reflections: What Really Matters in Life?

While “With a Spark in the Eye” lasted a few hours, for many participants it felt like the blink of an eye—so enjoyable was the flow of time. There were moments of concentrated listening to Kasia and Rafał’s stories, as well as opportunities for open questions, more casual conversations, and personal storytelling. Some attendees realized that it’s not worth postponing your dreams, while others discovered that the fear of change is often more paralyzing than the change itself—which can bring about surprisingly positive results.

A recurring theme in the conversations was: “Pause before the world forces you to stop.” It’s all too easy to fill our days with obligations, projects, tasks, and deadlines, forgetting what really drives us and brings joy: our passions, spontaneity, time with family and friends, and the nurturing of our relationships. Many people at the event recounted how unexpected situations—from illness to job burnout to personal crises—brought them to a standstill and forced them to reevaluate their priorities. Kasia and Rafał encouraged us not to wait until we reach that breaking point, but rather to deliberately choose to pause, look at our lives from a new vantage point, and plan the path forward.

Warmth, Wisdom, and Gratitude

Long after the official portion of the event concluded, lively conversations still filled the room. Some participants thanked Kasia and Rafał for their candor; others wanted more details about their new life path, asking how they tackle daily challenges. Many also posed practical questions about running a small business without losing the spark or damaging personal relationships, and how to share responsibilities in creative and cultural projects so that collaboration remains a source of joy instead of stress.

The overall atmosphere—aptly described by one participant—resembled a chat by the fire, exuding both physical and emotional warmth, closeness, and a sense of calm. Gazing into a fire can be a cleansing experience, offering us a moment to look inward and hear the answers we may have been reluctant or afraid to confront.

We extend our sincere thanks to Kasia and Rafał for guiding us through their inspiring journey and demonstrating that life can indeed be “remodeled.” We can take responsibility for making it more fulfilling, joyful, and centered around real closeness.

“Designing Life on Your Own Terms” – Looking Ahead

“With a Spark in the Eye” is part of a larger series at the Folk High School in Radawnica, focused on consciously designing one’s personal life path. We operate under the belief that each person has the potential to live in harmony with their values and dreams—regardless of where they live, what they do, or how old they are. Sometimes, all it takes is the right spark or a conversation with someone who’s been in similar shoes and can show that change is possible and doesn’t have to be fraught with uncertainty.

That’s why we have additional workshops and gatherings planned to delve into finding your passion, facing the fear of the unknown, managing energy wisely, and cultivating strong, supportive relationships. Keep an eye on our website and social media to stay updated on our latest events.

If you find yourself standing at a crossroads, or you simply crave inspiration and want to understand yourself better, we invite you to join us. You’ll meet people who have confronted similar doubts and now have the courage to share their experiences and offer support.

Conclusion

The “With a Spark in the Eye” event at the Folk High School in Radawnica was a memorable evening—one imbued with warmth, contemplation, and hope. Through their story, Kasia and Rafał reminded us of the profound value in momentarily stopping, questioning the status quo, and envisioning a different way of living. Their story shows that sometimes you have to stand at the edge of the cliff to glimpse the horizon of new possibilities.

During those few hours, many of us felt the stirrings of fresh motivation: for some, it might be meditating in the morning to bring calm to the day; for others, it might mean a career shift, a change in relationships, or even relocating. Some might simply decide to devote a few more minutes each evening to truly conversing with loved ones.

There’s no universal formula for a life filled with happiness and closeness; each of us must forge our own path. Still, hearing stories like Kasia and Rafał’s can be like finding a helpful signpost, reminding us that it’s worth seeking out and following what genuinely lights us up inside.

The Folk High School in Radawnica will remain a place where you’ll meet people with that “spark in their eyes”—individuals who have the courage to pursue their dreams while keeping their hearts open to others. If you, too, yearn for such inspiration and authentic connections, mark your calendar for our upcoming events. We believe that by giving ourselves permission to pause, listen to our desires, and share experiences, each of us can find what truly matters: a sense of purpose, closeness, and the delight that comes from living authentically, on our own terms.

“Pause before the world forces you to stop. Sometimes it takes just one walk to discover where you truly want to go.” These words from Kasia and Rafał may stay with us for a long time. Perhaps they’ll help us through a challenging moment of doubt, or serve as a quiet motivation for small daily shifts that eventually lead to significant, positive change.

We’ve wrapped up another evening emblematic of the special atmosphere at the Folk High School in Radawnica—an environment of warmth, openness, and shared pursuit of meaningful answers. Stay tuned for our next events, which include lectures, workshops, and meetings with people who live with passion and wish to share it with others. Come join us around our “fireside,” let the warmth sink in, and maybe you’ll find a brand-new spark in your own eyes.