when the little things are the big things 8:54 pm on Thursday, July 24 2008

Ive always had a quiet little dream inside of me that I've longed to have fulfilled.  Early last friday it did. 

Yoga.  Sun salutation.  Not inside, in a studio, but in the great outdoors, on the beach, facing the sun (in the caribbean).  What could possibly be more magic. 

It was my final morning and as the group dispersed I took myself away across the rocks and I stood in the sea and looked up to the sky and I had a conversation.  And I was thankful, and hopeful for the future, and I drew strength.

Al

3bt #19 8:44 pm on Thursday, July 24 2008

1.  Swimming out to the furthest point, and sitting with my buoy supported by the ocean waves, and looking back at the shore, and feeling the sun on my skin and hearing the water lapping, and letting my mind drift and wander.

2.  Waking early and eagerly rising and starting another day, looking forward to what it will bring.

3.  People.  There is beauty in people, so much beauty it sometimes catches me out.  I am humbled.

Al

body balance 8:37 pm on Thursday, July 24 2008

Give us your body and we will give you back your mind

I didn't realise quite how much I needed a break, until I got there.  And in nervous anticipation, I was hoping it would be good.  It was.  It was good, and so much more than that - more than I could possibly have imagined.  It was beautiful - the setting - the ambience - the activities (and inactivities) - and the people.  All utterly stunning and mind-blowing, and I don't say that lightly. 

I laughed - and laughed.  I talked - and talked some more.  I listened and I heard.  I had space to let go of some tension and anxieties and share them and be supported.  We were all there for ourselves, and yet were all there for one another also, as we got to know one another and friendships - of the real and lasting variety - evolved.  I met totally awesome people and I also had some awesome space and quiet. 

One of the loveliest things - for me - were some of the acitivities that I got involved in, that enhanced a sense of well-being and peace.  I practise yoga and pilates and deep stretch already, so to do plenty of these in at the aptly named Oasis, was heaven.  Body Balance was new to me and it ticks every box in my book, I loved it.  All to music -stretching, moving, balancing, relaxing, and being. 

The climate was perfect, the location was magic, the people were fabulous, the experience was an overwhelming gift.  I felt intensely alive, present, and free.  I'll hold on to the memories in my heart for always, and I know that one day I will be back there.  I miss it.  It just felt right. 

Al

anticipation 11:20 pm on Friday, July 4 2008

Am I excited?  Getting there.

Am I nervous?  Yup.

Am I looking forward to it?  Absolutely.

Ive a bit of an adventure ahead.   A little one.  I have travelled alone to some far flung and beautiful places before, but thus far it has always been to somewhere where I will be greeted by a familiar face, or otherwise been a trip for which I have had my work-head on and colleagues and/or clients have been involved.

In 36 hrs from now I will be on my way, to a place I have never been to, to spend time with people I have never met, and spend my days in a way that I have yet to discover.  I may be a little nervous and secretly my fingers are tightly crossed and I am full of wonderings and what ifs but I can't wait. 

I need a break - very much so.  It is just around the corner - thank heavens.  Lucky me.

Al