A lot can be learned from the ocean....sometimes it can ebb and flow so gently you feel as if you are dancing with it, other times it can hold you down, wave after wave, pounding, until it is ready to set you free. There is always a lesson to be learned from this and the same can be said of our experiences during the years. As we come to yet another year I ponder not only the lessons I have learned, but also how I have reacted to them. I have tried to come from a place of trust and openness, and the times I tried to control and look too far into the future, were the times I felt most stressed and confused. Change is often the source of this discomfort, but we must learn to trust it and be conscious.
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It is 5:30 a.m, my alarm goes off and I let out a slight groan as I try to bury myself deeper into my warm bed. I peer out my window into the dark and cold morning as I try to remind myself of the surf report for the morning ahead...5-8ft @ 14 sec. with the little green banner flashing above saying "good". After a few minutes of laying in bed and trying to motivate myself further, I throw myself out...the only way to do it. I twist my hair into a knot, throw on my sweatpants and beanie, grab my wetsuit, make a trip to the fridge to grab my snack, and I am out the door. I have found that if I prep the night before I have a higher percentage of making it out the door, everything from loading my board into the car, having my clothes ready, and also very important...my snack to get me through my surf session, which brings me to the topic of nutrition pre/post workout... I come home from work to my tropical blue yoga mat spread across my bedroom floor, instantly bringing me a sense of calm as I think of the ocean surface. I light some sage and step onto my mat. My arms flow up and down as my breath guides me, my brain slowly begins to quiet. A light breeze blows through the window offering a bit of relief from my warm room. The worries and questions of the day have dissolved, as I sit on my mat like a blank canvas, absorbing the peace and energy that is around me. After sitting still and simply breathing I open my eyes to a new world.... I write happily from bed, listening to some reggae, and with a cup of tea in hand. Usually I shoot out of bed as soon as I can and are off to move my body in some sort of way, but with a bit of a tweaked hip I decided to stay in and give it a rest before heading to work...and I have to say, being a bit of a couch potato is kind of nice?! :-) So I thought I might take this time and share some useful information with you about how to heal certain ailments through food...all very important! :-) The past two weeks have consisted of cheese galore (the gooey French stinky type ), champagne, s'mores, guacamole loaded burritos, ice cream, wine and more....oii!! With a mini surf camping getaway and friend's birthday I am left with a big smile, but in need of some greens and home cooking... I am so happy to be in this moment...sitting quietly and writing. I haven't written in a while, despite numerous attempts, only to feel forced and not true to how I was really feeling. The past 2 months I have been feeling out of sorts as I have tried to figure out my "path," while navigating being home again, for some reason things that were once familiar no longer feel so. The 5 key ingredients to a happier self.... Disconnect Make an effort to give yourself some space from technology. The past week or so I have been making an effort to not check my email as soon as I get up. I have been noticing lately my habit of instantly checking my email on my phone as soon as I get up-without even being out of bed, thus my head already starts to swirl and make check-lists for the day. I don't give myself a moment to breathe, check-in, and or be excited about the sunny morning I have just awoken to. Sooo now I tell myself to shower first, sit down and enjoy breakfast, and then check my email! :) It is a lovely warm evening as I write from my hammock in my back yard. I haven't written in a while....have been so busy with the start of my nutrition program, but thought this warm evening in a hammock would be the perfect place to escape and think... It is 9:00 a.m. and I sit on my front porch observing all the new flower blossoms....spring is officially here. John Cruz's "Island Style" plays in the background, making me think back to my trip to Hawaii 2+ years ago....my mom and I driving down Queen Kaahmanu Highway to my surf lesson while singing along to Hawaiian guitar music and pointing out all the colorful and exotic flowers along the way. The memory of those beautiful flowers is what brought me to Home Depot's flower department a few days ago. I stood staring at all the passion flowers and hibiscus and instantly started making plans of gardening. I came home later that day and told my twin brother of my gardening plans and that it was time to "add some color" or at least I was going to have a "section" of the house with some pretty flowers... "The Sea, once it casts it's spell, holds one in it's net of wonder forever." ~ Jacques Cousteau I stand on shore, observing the patterns of the waves, and breathe deeply as I take in the salty air into my lungs. The wind has picked up, making the waves choppy and a bit rough, but as soon as I paddle out any negative energy I have melts away with every bump and wave I pass along the way. My feelings towards the ocean is like a love affair, we have our highs and lows, but I can never leave its side. |