Lately

After an unintentional (yet nice) summer haitus from writing, it just occurred to me today that I have not shared a story or thought or update in quite some time. A lot has been going on around here. The kind of a lot that is really nothing (reportable) but also the kind of a lot that makes one very content and feeling good to be in their current moment.

Do you know what I mean?

Like, when someone asks you: How've you been?

And you proudly say: Great! I've been SO BUSY!!!

And they follow up: So what've you been up to?

And you think and think and think about it and end up saying: Nothing really!

So... instead of being totally lame and write a post about how I've done nothing and therefore unapparently all the things, I'll actually share a few of the things that have boosted my mood and made me feel... like me.

The most obvious is our recent trip to San Francisco for a week for G's bestie's wedding. A week unplugged from work is such a gift. I'd say the highlights for me, other than the wedding of course, were cycling across Golden Gate to Saulsalito and Tiburon and back, the audio tour of Alcatraz fantastic!, and walking Muir Woods.

In lesser obvious events, I am channeling my creative juices lately by coloring. To be clear, I mean with crayola colored pencils, an old school pencil sharpener, and most importantly an intricately designed adult coloring book full of beautiful patterns and paisleys and geometrics. I've never tried to meditate, but know the benefits are numerous. I think this is the closest I've come to meditation (other than that walk in Muir Woods)- it's an active meditation where I think about nothing but am fully engaged in my present moment. It is glorious.

We saw one of our favorite singers, Brandi Carlyle, live at Wolftrap. I love music, and I love the folksy rock-n-roll feel of Brandi and her band live. There is something that makes me feel creative even in the enjoyment of someone else's gift. Experiencing something that someone else created inspires me so much. Not to become an amazing singer. Definitely not. Just to appreciate the gifts of others and know that I have my own gifts to hone.

G and I have also been diversifying our fitness experiences. Sometimes, not on purpose, like wanting to just take a regular old BodyPump class while on vacation. Who does that?? We Do. I find that all fitness experiences are good ones because you either come away inspired and motivated, or... you've learned something. Like, all the ways the instructor fell short and how I don't ever ever want to teach that way. Sometimes, diversifying is intentional, like how I just decided to dig out my hot yoga booty shorts and go sweat like a pig in Bikram. Or, how we tried Solidcore and it crippled us. For days. I'm curious how the average non-athletic person would feel after that class...

And finally, but certainly not the least of things, I have been reading a lot more. Probably my most favorite of all creative outlets. Because I love to write too. Because in experiencing other people's writing I become better at my own. Because it is more than just expression, it's intellectual and direct - so you have less room for your own interpretation. But yet, we still do. My favorite books are those, fiction or non-fiction, where the writer thinks absolutely different than I do and has a way of articulating that helps me understand another point of view. I do my best growing when I read. I come to understand myself better when reading the thoughts of others.

There is something about this theme of creativity that makes me feel so content and happy. Through our adventures, trying new things, seeing new places, experiencing art, meditating art, digesting the language of others, and physically giving ourselves to something new, we have become so much more than what we were before.

But you know... nothing's going on :)

#Flashback