lessons + gratitude
You will receive a body. / You will learn lessons. / There are no mistakes, only lessons. / A lesson will be repeated until it is learned. / Learning lessons does not end. / “There” is no better than “here.” / Others are merely mirrors of you. / What you make of your life is up to you. / Life is exactly what you think it is. / Your answers lie inside you. / You will forget all of this. / You can remember it whenever you want.
Rules For Being Human [Handed Down From an Ancient Sanskrit]
Although yoga teaches us to relieve expectations, I did in fact have expectations for Sicily, and as such I didn’t immediately fall in love like I thought I would (although that would quickly change).
I arrived to rain and a little chill, the food didn’t blow me away on the first day (#spoiled), my jeans are already tight without having eaten a single carbohydrate, I craved a kitchen to play with the local produce, the sea was cold as fork. I was just in a mood.
I judged myself for judging — what Tara Brach calls “going below the line.” I remembered to recognize and allow what I was feeling, and as such was able to eventually focus my lens on the beauty around me versus the irritations: the “Ciao signora!” from the front desk signore, the swallows sweeping between rooftops, the ice cold sea on my skin and warm sand under my toes.
Traveling always teaches, whether we cross borders literally or metaphorically. This short trip was another lesson in relieving expectations — literally softening nervous system and heart into the moment, just as it is, just as I am. Everything is alright right now.
Then I arrived at the airport to return to Paris, forgot to reactivate my SIM card and couldn’t contact people I needed to get in touch with due to spotty internet, spilled water on my pants. Just when we think we have it this whole “relax into the moment” thing all figured out…
I’ll leave you with an intimate passage from the last page of my previous journal that I coincidentally finished when I returned from this trip, after going through another cycle of feeling the feelings and finally settling back into my Self and the moment:
“And just like that an end to a new beginning… My heart is full. Right now is enough. I hold the vision for my future and give enormous gratitude to what is right now, to how far I’ve come and where I will go. Honoring the changes in my body, the lessons I’ve learned even if challenging, the resilience of my tender strong heart… Open to the fun, sweet, open-hearted (but gold-armor plated) adventure… For now I sit in my silk robe and eat my strawberry oats and stare out my Montmartre window in deep awe and gratitude for all I have. Thank you.”
Cheers to immediate and extended family, the city and sea, the rain and rays of sun, the bread and veg, all the feels and always love.
Grazie mille to my parents for setting an example to enjoy good people, good wine and a good adventure – wherever they are in the world and whatever the circumstances.
What’s an expectation you might relieve, and what’s alright for you right now?.
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Photo: icy swim in Scopello, Sicilia.
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