Waking up at 4:45 in the morning has one redeeming factor…seeing the sun rise, particularly when doing so in the mountains of Vail, CO.
Vail, CO is a place that is new to me. It’s sort of a perk that came along with the beautiful woman who circuitously found and wrote to me on match.com and with whom I now share a deeply loving and “expansive” (used lightly to include things good/bad/joy-filled/sad/spiritual/material) relationship. She was a Jr. Olympian skier…Nordic or as I know it “cross-country”. Having shifted from that in adulthood, she now crushes the downhills and on a pristine fresh snow morning forgoes sleep, eating, and all things warm and delicious (are you with me) to shred the first turns on untracked powder. Arriving in her life at the culmination of last winter’s ski-fest, I have only heard of this phenomenon and wait with anticipation for my personal experience of her passion (which I hope is a close second only to me). With the clear understanding that 3-4 days of our week will be spent in Vail, CO during the deep of winter, I am the
proud possessor of what is called an “Epic Pass”, I have 4 new jackets, two new pairs of gloves, am excited to wear a beanie out in public all winter long (not something favored as much in sunny San Diego or even Auburn, CA), and drove back to CA this summer to painstakingly pour through my storage facility seeking my snowboards and necessary appurtenances. I have been shown videos of cross country/skate ski training, introduced to the local facilities via summer hikes, and am the recipient of regular emails advertising the sale of last year’s model Nordic ski gear. Looks like Carin is about to take up another new sport!
Becoming acutely aware of the sad probability that many, most or perhaps all of my favorite mountain and road biking climbing routes are annihilated by the recent flooding in and around Boulder, CO; I feel growing affinity for my new endeavor. Most conversations with biking friends and enthusiasts culminate with “let’s hope it just starts snowing early”. It is a sad state of affairs in and around CO. Lives have been lost, people remain unaccounted for, homes and businesses have been washed down mountains, cars are covered in water, mud and debris, homes are flooded, many have lost “everything”…that is everything material. All of this and yet, the sun rises, without any effort on the part of any human. We are incapable of altering the time, place or manner in which it does this arising. Let’s face it friends, there is so very much we simply are not in control of.
proud possessor of what is called an “Epic Pass”, I have 4 new jackets, two new pairs of gloves, am excited to wear a beanie out in public all winter long (not something favored as much in sunny San Diego or even Auburn, CA), and drove back to CA this summer to painstakingly pour through my storage facility seeking my snowboards and necessary appurtenances. I have been shown videos of cross country/skate ski training, introduced to the local facilities via summer hikes, and am the recipient of regular emails advertising the sale of last year’s model Nordic ski gear. Looks like Carin is about to take up another new sport!
Becoming acutely aware of the sad probability that many, most or perhaps all of my favorite mountain and road biking climbing routes are annihilated by the recent flooding in and around Boulder, CO; I feel growing affinity for my new endeavor. Most conversations with biking friends and enthusiasts culminate with “let’s hope it just starts snowing early”. It is a sad state of affairs in and around CO. Lives have been lost, people remain unaccounted for, homes and businesses have been washed down mountains, cars are covered in water, mud and debris, homes are flooded, many have lost “everything”…that is everything material. All of this and yet, the sun rises, without any effort on the part of any human. We are incapable of altering the time, place or manner in which it does this arising. Let’s face it friends, there is so very much we simply are not in control of.
Imagine for a moment how you would feel if you actually ceased trying to control things – or even one thing. My life became an experience that brings me heightened joy, greater connection, and a significantly elevated sensation of freedom when I did one thing: let go! I certainly didn’t and haven’t “let go” of everything. I would not call myself “enlightened” (I take some exceptions with that entire concept and ideology of late but that’s another rant). What I have accomplished is a hell of a lot more ease.
Assisting me in the process of letting go is a practice that I learned at a personal growth seminar (www.wings-seminars.com). This practice is about creating intention for my day. It starts with letting something go – and it only applies to today (unless I choose otherwise). It then follows with creating something that I want in lieu of what I am letting go of. It’s a lot about getting out of my own way. It’s about practice…I’m not going to use this concept like a new year resolution wherein we often make big promises only to suffer big disappointment in and with ourselves. I’m going to use it to guide and direct my experience today, to create awareness and focus. I will give you an example: I am letting go of worry about who will read my blog, if it will be a success, and whether it will receive “likes” and am creating authentic expression for myself today in the form of writing and posting my blog. In contemplating and writing this intention statement, I clarify what is in my way (worry…or fear), and I choose to create what I want (authentic expression in the form of writing my blog). It truly works…moments after writing that statement, I got inspired to drive to Vail Pass and take pictures of the sunrise. The result of that inspiration is joy ~ for me, for my dog who got to romp around a forest trail and for you or anyone who enjoys viewing these photos or becomes inspired by the ideas I’ve shared.
Assisting me in the process of letting go is a practice that I learned at a personal growth seminar (www.wings-seminars.com). This practice is about creating intention for my day. It starts with letting something go – and it only applies to today (unless I choose otherwise). It then follows with creating something that I want in lieu of what I am letting go of. It’s a lot about getting out of my own way. It’s about practice…I’m not going to use this concept like a new year resolution wherein we often make big promises only to suffer big disappointment in and with ourselves. I’m going to use it to guide and direct my experience today, to create awareness and focus. I will give you an example: I am letting go of worry about who will read my blog, if it will be a success, and whether it will receive “likes” and am creating authentic expression for myself today in the form of writing and posting my blog. In contemplating and writing this intention statement, I clarify what is in my way (worry…or fear), and I choose to create what I want (authentic expression in the form of writing my blog). It truly works…moments after writing that statement, I got inspired to drive to Vail Pass and take pictures of the sunrise. The result of that inspiration is joy ~ for me, for my dog who got to romp around a forest trail and for you or anyone who enjoys viewing these photos or becomes inspired by the ideas I’ve shared.
Wow, it’s only 8:30AM and I am one joyful woman! I’m off to enjoy a sunny MTB trail,
soaking it up until the snow comes and it’s time to embark on that new sport!
Wishing you an incredible day supported by letting go of control and creating
action through positive intention.
soaking it up until the snow comes and it’s time to embark on that new sport!
Wishing you an incredible day supported by letting go of control and creating
action through positive intention.
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