"Joy does not come from what you do, it flow into what you do and thus into the world deep from within you.
You will enjoy any activity in which you are fully present, any activity that is not just a means to an end. It isn't the action you perform that you really enjoy, but the deep sense of aliveness that flows into it. That aliveness is one with who you are. This means that when you enjoy doing something you are really experiencing the joy of Being in it's dynamic aspect. That's why anything you enjoy doing connects you with the power behind all creation." Eckhart Tolle
Thanks to my friend Jillian for providing me with thought provoking and relevant quotes - many are the intentions she sets at the beginning of her Thursday night candlelight yoga class. I'm not much of a night person and I was dragging my heels at taking a class that starts so late - 8 pm - yikes. It turns out that it has become one of the true joys of my week and something that I look forward to. It's after a hot yoga class so the studio is pretty warm; believe me I was sure that would be the second reason (after the late hour) that I would decide not to go back. Turns out, I like the cleansing feeling I get from sweating in Jillian's class. And over the last few weeks, I've definitely taken risks that I don't take in other yoga classes. Maybe it's the semi-darkness; or the heat, which seems to nurture my joints, which is more fulfilling than the sweat dripping is annoying; or Jillian's gift as a teacher; or possibly all that and other intangible things. No matter. I.LOVE.this.class. Did I mention how much I love it? I'm getting close to achieving crow every time I try and I even managed a tripod headstand with my knees on my arms (not up in the air) which for me was a first. Huge. Love this class. So glad that my classes are on Wednesday night this semester so that I can keep going to Jillian's Thursday night candlelight yoga - for inspiration, good intentions, for cleansing and for stretching myself.
Other joys these last few weeks include a few good hikes. Laura, Marigny and I hiked Mt. Bierstadt. We intended to do a moonlight summit but work schedules and life meant a 3 am wake up call to be on the trail by 6 or so was in order. Turns out that there were a few benefits to that choice. I saw some of the Perseid meteors as I was driving to pick them up. The moon was beautiful. And we saw 5 Bull moose in the willows not 10 minutes after we left the trailhead. 5.Bull.Moose. Just an hour our so outside Denver. So very coo. You can see a couple if you look closely here:
The downside to not doing a moonlight hike was that there was, literally, a conga line of people up and down the mountain. Seriously. I don't need to do another local, close to civilization 14er again - too many people. No rhythm at all. But the company was great. Loved spending the day with Laura & Marigny. And Syd hiked her first 14er and was tormented by the pikas. Here we are at the summit:
I was a little nervous that climbing the talus to the summit might have been too much for Syd's bionic limbs. Nope. She chased cars from the cargo space of the Subaru all the way home. Good entertainment. And Sunday morning, she wasn't stiff, sore, limping or showing any signs of 2800ft and 7 RT miles. Is this my dog?
I took a few days off work and Tuesday saw Amber, Syd and I headed to Breck for another hike. Definitely one of the best hikes I've done in Colorado. So incredibly beautiful. Words, photos, nothing really captures what the day was like. So much joy in my being while hiking to and from Mohawk Lakes outside of Breckenridge. I can't decide which photos so here are too many:
And before all of this, I decided, somewhat on a whim to fly to CA for a long weekend. My aunt and uncle and cousins were going to be in Nevada City and I hadn't seen them in forever. Turns out the real reason I went was to give myself permission to do nothing. Sit by the pool; nap; read; float on the air mattress and just relax. It was joyous and blissful to be sure.
So ready or not, school starts tomorrow night. The new students come to CC on Saturday and travel starts as soon as I plan some! Thanks to Jillian, Amber, Mom & Dad, Laura, Marigny and Syd - especially Syd, who everyday helps me find glimpses of joy - for allowing me to enjoy so much this August.
