Hello!
Happy Monday! I hope you had a good weekend.
It was beautiful here. Though there was a slight chill in the air at the bus stop this morning, I could still feel the sweet swell of summer. We made sure to soak it up as we spent the weekend winterizing our cabana and camper. Seeing everything tarped and packed away felt sad, but as I wished our cabana neighbors happy times throughout all the holidays, I was reminded of how much I do enjoy all the seasons. The beauty of fall as the cool air crisps the landscape, leading us into the quiet hibernation of winter, and bringing us out again renewed and ready for rebirth in the spring.
It’s much like our own state of mind at times. Cycling through different stages of our experience.
This past week at yoga my teacher spoke about ordinary things. About how life can’t be exciting all the time – that we need the quiet and boring moments in order to appreciate the thrills. Likewise, I’m reminded of the words of Ross Gay from his book “Inciting Joy.”
“…the way I think of joy — not only does it not exist absent sorrow, but it actually requires sorrow to exist.”
We must all travel through the seasons of our life, of our day, of our own personal journey. We will struggle, we will dance – it’s our responsibility to hold space for both – and for others. This of course can be the challenge for most of us. Holding space – especially for ourselves – to just let those feelings exist — to not force ourselves out of it or change that which we cannot control.
But as always, I remind you we have the breath. First the inhale – that which creates the space. Allowing us to exist within ourselves with just a little more room for whatever feelings are there. And the exhale – the invitation to soften – to settle in and surrender. Perhaps it’s melancholy – perhaps it’s discomfort. But here comes that breath again. Expanding the space around those feelings. Offering you a moment to pause in a state of just being before once again letting it out – letting go.
Next time you begin your practice – set the intention to grow in your awareness of this space. Notice the sensations, the resistance, the release. The cycle that continues again and again. Be in that experience. Perhaps even journal about it.
I’ll be posting a video later this week to help you do just that. You’ll find the links on my socials, so be sure to follow me if you aren’t already.
And for those of you on Long Island, I hope you’ll join me as we begin our Mindfulness Meditation Meet-ups once again at the Seaford Historical Society. The first will be October 8th at 7 pm. The cost is just a $5 donation to the museum. Come learn more about the beauty of mindfulness and the power of the breath.
I hope to see you then.
Have a beautiful week, my friend. I’ll be here traveling along with you.
Bye for now.
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