Friday, March 4, 2011

To See The World and Other Things

"When you are everywhere, you are nowhere. When you are somewhere, you are everywhere." -Rumi

I want to travel. I really, really do. I just haven't quite figured out exactly how to make that happen yet. The ambition and desire and readiness are there, however the money is another story, to say the least. And by that I mean I don't have any.
I think I have always wanted to be somewhat of a wanderer, however, with graduation and real life steadfastly approaching, my instincts keep telling me that time is running out--if you don't do now you'll never do it! I am fearful of becoming stuck in some awful boring desk job and never having the time or resources to do any travelling. In a perfect world I would be like Elizabeth Gilbert and Frances Mayes and Bill Bryson who get paid to travel and write about it (not to mention their writings are published in bestselling memoirs). If only.

I have found that there exists this mental/emotional conflict that grows inside me the closer I get to graduating. It just feels as though once this chapter of my life ends, my options as far as what I can do will diminish as well. Logically I know that this largely isn't true, but either way I can't shake this urgent feeling that I am running out of time. It is scary to think that I will graduate, teach my swim lessons, get a different job, and be there forever. Why can't I teach my swimming lessons, take the money I earn, and spend a year traveling...and worry about the rest later? Perhaps that's quite irresponsible but it's what I want to do. What better way to gain some writing material than taking time to immerse myself in other cultures and learn from those experiences? Right? Hint, hint Mom.

My main focus right now is trusting that God has a plan in store for my life, and that all I really need to do at the moment is listen and follow him the best way that I know how.

Also, if anyone wants to give me a present, I love the National Geographic travel guides. Just a side note.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Hiatus and Now

As is obvious from the immense gap between recent posts on here, I've taken a rather lofty break from blogging. Don't ask why, because I don't know. A lack of words was not the problem--there was plenty to say--however for whatever reason I chose not to go through the conversion process; that is turning thoughts into words.

That being said, much has happened throughout this year-ish of off time. Namely, I began my last foreseeable semester of college yesterday. As exciting as this is, I've also found that it is doing interesting things to my emotions. And when I say interesting, I'm really just using a more flattering word for insane. I have been feeling a little insane lately. Sometimes I feel super-fantastic about where I'm headed, all in control and dandy; whereas other times it seems that crawling under a large rock and hiding until the rapture feels more appropriate. Point being, it's going to be a fun semester.

I am now teaching two yoga classes and a spin class at the UNT rec center, and so far I love my job. I mean hello I get paid to workout and help other people do the same. What could be better? Speaking of which, I'm going to get onto to my soap box now. Here I go. Stepping on. Do you currently practice yoga? If you answered yes, big hug, way to go! If you answered no, however, frown. Hands on hips. Why exactly not? Yoga is an incredible practice when done correctly and it offers so many benefits! I'll name some because I know you're secretly wondering behind the eye rolls. Strength, balance, flexibility of course, but beyond the physical realm also exist a deep sense of calmness and relaxation, happiness, and even a relief from depression if you happen to be dealing with that. Yoga goes far beyond twisting your body up into impossible poses (which I would never make you do). If you allow it to be, it can be a fantastic spiritual practice that assists the mind-body as a whole. If you're confused now, I suppose you'll simply have to attend one of my classes at the rec, or the next nearest class you can find. And cycle is great too. Okay, stepping off of soap box.

I plan to be around more often again. I've missed writing, and what better time than my last semester before real life slaps me in the face? None, I think.

P.S. here's a yoga pose to get you started. One of the classics. If yoga was the Bible, Downward Facing Dog would be one of the big, important books like Genesis or Matthew. You need it to get it. It's a great foundational pose that generally takes place several times in any given yoga practice. To get into the pose, come onto your hands and knees, place your palms firmly on your mat (or the ground whatever) fingers spread wide. Now curl your toes under, lift from your hips and straighten your legs and arms. Ta daa! Your gaze should be down, neck relaxed--no straining! Down Dog will stretch the backs of your legs and strengthen your upper body all at the same time. It's good for all sorts of things: cramps, headaches, lethargy, menopause, high blood pressure, asthma, sinus issues...like I said, one of the big books. So try and tell me what you think!


photo taken from yogajournal.com