Rest and Gratitude
One of the things that has always amazed me about camping is that while there I am not on any schedule, and I can sleep later, sit and drink coffee longer, and embrace the little things that I would miss on a regular basis.
This past week we went to Three Island Crossing in Glenn’s Ferry. We have gone there every year as the campsites are large with lushish green areas, tall trees, and lots of squirrels and birds. At home I wake up to the sound of my alarm at 5:30 whether I slept well or not. Yet in my airstream van with those black-out curtains…I slept every day until 7:30-8:00 am. That’s unheard of for me! Yet the circadian rhythm was awesome and I awoke rested and ready for the day.
I’d make our coffee and then we’d sit outside surrounded by squirrels playing and chasing each other around and up and down trees. Our actual campsite had a tree with a Robin’s nest in it and we would watch both mom and dad Robin find worms and insects and bring their baby birds food. We were close enough to watch the little birds open their beaks, and await the yummy food that mom and dad had supplied. It was so beautiful and precious to be observant of something so simple, yet often unnoticed in the day-to-day grind of life.
Kayaking and Riding
I got on my mountain bike for the second time since my accident and this time we rode 18 miles (not just around the neighborhood). It was empowering to feel the bike once again under my body, to push the pedals and climb 1000 feet on a paved road. The view from the top of this lookout was spectacular. It felt good to face my fears, and trust in myself. I had to maintain a sense of safety and some positive self-talk to keep myself on track and not let fear hijack my joy.
It was a lovely ride, and I was proud of myself for getting back on the bike and just being able to trust that I could safely ride again. Fear lurks in the background, and there are definitely places I don’t want to be, like on the side of a hill or near the edge of even paved roads with drops next to them, but that’s something I suspect I will always be cautious of.
We also took an adventurous kayak trip down the Salmon River as we apparently left the 2 rudders at home, and this made it challenging to steer properly. But together we prevailed and saw bald eagles sitting in their huge nest, otters building homes out of moss and sticks, and lots of jumping fish. These are the kinds of things you can’t see from afar. You need to be in their environment in order to capture their beauty and see them living their simple life in nature, where all their needs are provided for.
Getting Into Your Ventral Vagal Space
It’s summer and there is so much to do in the Treasure Valley or California. Put the excuses aside and look at your day and say “How can I?” Instead of “Why I can’t.” Put down your phone and pay attention to the sounds around you. Use your senses to see the wildlife, feel the breeze or the heat of the sun on your skin, and take in all the awesomeness of what life has to offer.
It’s so easy to say “I don’t have time for xyz.” It’s easy to find excuses and or blame life’s situations or people in our life for keeping us from doing the things we want to do. Yet, we are the only ones who can control our happiness. If you want joy, you must pause, stop the craziness of life, and embrace gratitude in the very small mundane things that we take for granted.