A Dozen Years

Why does she keep going back to the same place every year?  I’ve heard that asked.  I’ve asked that question myself… more than once.  And yet I return again and again. 

This year made a dozen times.  I’ve traveled to the same location in Negril, Jamaica to practice yoga.  For the past five years, I’ve also taught.  And each year is uniquely extraordinary.

Out of the sameness of traveling to this familiar place and reuniting with Jamaican friends, a new discovery and understanding are revealed.  The Jamaican experience offers an opportunity to explore and observe patterns of thinking and being, with the backdrop of the exquisite glory of Mother Nature.   

The surroundings are extraordinarily beautiful with sparkling Caribbean water in sight with at most the turn of your head.  The yoga practice space is open with sea breezes and sunsets.  The senses are tempted and caressed throughout each day.  Yet, challenges of visiting a Jamaican family-owned resort emerge shortly after arrival.  Water leaking from the ceiling, low water pressure, or a power outage appears.  And practice begins.

A practice begins of noticing how I respond when expectations are not met.  The lessons of life are presented within the framework of ordinary circumstances.  I examine what matters to me in this life and whether or not my thoughts and actions contribute to enhance what matters.  Examination moves through the level of physical and basic needs to interactions and relationships with others to conscious awareness and deeper understanding of myself. 

This framework of ordinary circumstances has included waiting for three hours to be served a meal at a local restaurant.  They needed to go buy the chicken, cook it, and then serve it.  It was the absolute best Jerk chicken ever!  Hot water is not a given, Wi-Fi is intermittent at most, and “on time” does not mean “on time.”  Genuine, loving smiles are plentiful, respect for one another is obvious, kind words are offered without reservation, and complaining of what is lacking is almost never heard.

So over these dozen years, I have noticed that what I expect to be or happen is probably not going to be or happen, and that it usually doesn’t matter.  What does matter is the way I react and interact with others in all situations.  What does matter is to spend time each day in appreciation and gratitude for all that is abundantly given with each breath, with each sunset, with each person’s smile, and in each precious moment.

Why do I keep going back to the same place every year?   My practice continues as I have more to learn.