Rekindling the Flame

Although some time has passed since I’ve traveled to Oahu, it is still significant enough to write about it! There are a million excuses as to why I neglected to write this post which is worthy of another blog post investigating my procrastination, however, let’s focus on Hawaii first. Traveling while in grad school and working two part-time jobs is challenging to say the least in terms of finances and time. When your best friend moves to Hawaii, one must simply find a way to get there and crash on her couch.

The highlights of Honolulu are plain and simple: great weather, hidden beaches (if you know where to go), lush rainforests, and excellent mechanics (lol). It was truly a unique urban/beach experience that was starkly different from LA. With a half-working Mini Cooper, I drove around the entirety of the island to explore the hidden gems. I snorkeled in solitude, saw wildlife, and even got stuck in a rainforest downpour while climbing up a steep mountain face. The experience of traveling relatively solo brings up inner feelings of freedom, curiosity, and resilience. The first two adjectives may be obvious, but I mention resiliency because it feels like a prime time to reflect and recharge. This trip came at the perfect time after summer session classes and yoga training, but before the fall semester and field placement begins.

Resiliency through my lens is a compilation of reflection and recharging and simultaneously looking ahead into the near future. Resiliency is like mustering up the needed wisdom and courage to continue to blaze the trail. On point in the professional sense, resiliency is the exponential accrual of past experience to transform it into energy, zest, and precision. These descriptors don’t come to mind when I think of Hawaii or tropical climates. Where the heck does this come from, then? I listened to a Ram Dass recording that discussed quieting the mind and opening the heart. When I relax and get still, more fire and strength emerge. I notice that my true fiery nature is restored by the water, which is seemingly the opposite of fire. To live life fully is to become aware of the paradoxes. Maybe water and fire go hand and hand more than we think.