Following the Yellow Brick Road

The hike I didn't take today.

I asked myself today... What do I do?

I like to stand barefoot on the Earth, appreciating her in all her beauty and splendor. A most positive pleasure, connecting with the elements that resonate with my soul. Allowing myself to do so brings such peace. I like to breathe deeply and move creatively to awaken feelings of joy in myself and with others.

For some reason, I notice a thread of belief within me that believes I need permission to dedicate time to such wanderings, when actually it’s my birthright to be here in wonder on this Earth, as a human and as divine spirit.

Do you ever catch yourself feeling like you need permission to simply enjoy your life?

I have visions and plans that form as I lay me down to sleep at night. Ideas of how the next day will unfold because I’m driven to organize myself. However, after a deep sleep and a rambunctious dream that had me fruitlessly chasing down a special object, I awoke in the dark before dawn.

Lying still, lucidly floating into the break of day, the first bird calls announce the sun’s arrival. I translate their messages... "Hey everyone, wake up, wake up, wake up!"

Fluttering and chirping through the trees with glee, the light slowly rises both outside my kitchen window and within my heart. And all those plans I envisioned before slumber.... vanish. Just like most of my nighttime dreams. And I begin my day with curiosity.

I wonder, "What shall unfold today? What promptings will guide me?" I tap into my heart and thank God for the gift of choice. 

What if we began our days with wonder rather than a list of things to accomplish?

Wisdom pulls me out and up by 6:15. The first thing I do every morning is splash my face with cold (not so cold of water in Costa Rica) and look myself in the mirror, asking, "How are you today?"

Due to a lifetime of practicing Yoga, I begin the inquiry... I feel into my body… what’s alive in me today? What does my body need? How’s my energy flowing?

Do you ever ask your body what it needs before deciding what you're going to do?

On my calendar was a vigorous hike, a steep hike up the hill behind Casa del Sol, to the top of the ridgeline overlooking the Pacific coastline. My left Achilles tendon speaks up, as she had in the wee hours when I was stretching under the sheets and felt her call out. "Remember me? I’m a little tender, so make sure you don’t overdo that uphill climbing agenda. You need to allow me to recover in between hikes. I recommend yoga today and some Yin to go into the tendons to strengthen us, please."

I realize that the hike is not going to happen today. Maybe tomorrow.

As I walk out onto the balcony to look at the sky, it’s very gray. It’s a gray October day and the rain begins to fall lightly. Perfect weather to hunker into home during this cool, cloudy morn. I immediately shift into resonance with today's body and soul. This morning I stroll in the gentle rain, admiring the flora and flowers, blanketed in warmth upon my skin, securing me to this Earth, and giving thanks. 

I feel the cozy softness surrounding me, recalling my long-ago intention to "leave Costa Rica during this rainy season because it’s too rainy." How silly of me. The green season is lovely in the tropics.  And… life has other plans, so instead of fleeing to Ecuador to escape the rain, I’m following the yellow brick road to Ojochal. There’s no place like home.

How do you respond when life takes you somewhere entirely different from where you planned to go?