Cabin Fever

Sometimes I sit at the computer and can't remember the last time I got outside and explored. How quickly I forget that I recently hiked the 22 mile Kalalau trail... but when was the last rock climb? The last bagged peak? The last hike, walk, or even just a moment spent in nature for the sake of health and sanity? Whenever it was it wasn't recent enough. I think "getting outside" is one of those medications that requires a daily dose. It's cold here, it's winter, that makes me want to stay by the fire and cuddle up with a book. After re-reading a few books from my bookshelf (nice to justify taking up shelf space) I think I'm feeling a little cabin fever.

It is time to share the story of "The Tower of Terror." See how convenient it is that the cabin (above) has an upper and lower door for when the snow piles up? Yes, well imagine the outhouse of a similar construction. The toilet, excuse me, the "hole" is at the bottom of a tower. This means that the user must climb up a ladder to the door and then down into a hole in search of a smaller hole in order to relieve him or herself. I will say this, I felt many things but relief was not one of them.

This is just one of many of the lifetime experiences that adventuring provides. And here I am begging to go back?!

Ahh yes, because memory is selective, typically in one of two ways.

1. We love to remember only the good parts! Such as with climbing, we remember the beauty of the views and the serenity of nature but we quickly forget the blisters, muscle cramps, and mosquitoes.

OR

2. We tend to remember only the bad things. For some reason we hold grudges and can't seem forget the one time our friend hurt us even though it was probably unintentional and simply a mis-communication. Meanwhile we conveniently forget the chicken soup they handmade for us when we were sick, the compliment they gave us about our new haircut, and how they defended us when someone was making fun.

I am not entirely sure which is the "better" memory technique. Perhaps that is why in yoga we discuss how the Chitta can be both helpful and harmful. Therefore, we try to be aware of our thoughts, emotions, impressions, etc. The more I try to be aware of the things going on in my head, the more concerned I become!

Anywho, off to yoga!

Yes.... I miss Seattle

I wouldn't have thought it... but I miss Seattle. There is a feeling you get driving into the city that is pretty magical. I remember when I was an intern in the summer of 2008 and I would drive in from the south, I would feel like it was the opening scene to my own little television show. After I moved there in 2009, that drive into the city still tugged at my heart. Depending on what was going on the feeling could evoke emotions and I would notice that I was smiling wide or perhaps a few tears were building in the corner of my eyes. On our last night in Seattle in 2011, we headed up to capture the image that had been such a part of my life for the past couple of years. While excited about moving on, it is always hard to say goodbye. I think the feeling is similar to when I lived in Grover Beach and I would drive from school in San Luis Obispo on my way home. There is this big hill that you drive up and then "ahhhhhhhh," the clouds part and the angels sing as you come over the hill and see Shell Beach.

I miss my Seattle cousin, my Seattle friends, and my yoga community there. I miss teaching yoga at the VA,  the Samarya Center, the SES Senior Center, and Seattle Bouldering Project. I miss walking around Greenlake, seeing the intense green of the Emerald City, and those amazing Ferry rides.

Barefoot Peak

We sure use our poor little feet a lot don't we?

Just returned home from our Thanksgiving trip. We had a great time relaxing, bonding with friends, and adventuring! Marc and I hiked the Na Pali coast on the Kalalau trail, an 11 mile cliff edge trail to one of the most beautiful beaches I have seen. (And I've seen some pretty amazing beaches!) The Hawaiian culture talks about mana, a force or quality present in the world and the island of Kauai is considered a very spiritual place among the islands. For me, it wasn't so much the beach alone as the whole place together. The valley, the cliffs, the peaks, and the beach together. Witnessing a tucked away waterfall 800 ft tall, the remains of terraces from the ancient Hawaiians, and the power of the ocean in November.The lush green of the valley next to the deep blue of the ocean took my breath away. (So did the parts of the trail that led me inches from the edge of a cliff hundreds of feet above powerful waves!)

During our hike we were talking about how we love hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering because of the hard work that we put in to receive the gift of the views and the beauty. We have often stepped on ground that very few others have the opportunity to see. We feel as though our physical effort is our payment for the gift, though I still feel undeserving. Nature has the ability to humble me on even my most narcissistic days! As my little feet got blisters about mile 19 of our 22 miles, I probably was not feeling as poetic about it as I am now. However, it is quite humbling to be a little girl surrounded by rugged terrain and indescribable beauty.

Not that everyone should take on adventures such as a 22 mile hike; not everyone could, should, or would want to, but there is something to be said about using our bodies and minds. There is something about effort, determination, the literal or figurative climb. 

"Show me your hands. Do they have scars from giving? Show me your feet. Are they wounded in service? Show me your heart. Have you left a place for divine love?"

-Fulton J. Sheen (Archbishop)