My girlfriends and I have just returned from another Wanderlust Festival in Lake Tahoe. The entire weekend is geared towards going inward, observing your practice without judgements and basically just doing a bunch of yoga/meditation/hikes with a bunch of awesome people. Not to mention Squaw Valley is ungodly stunning, so being outside is the main draw.
This was the third Wanderlust I've attended and although I "know what to expect", I really don't because each trip is uniquely it's own. This year, I went with two long time girlfriends and met up with a handful of our friends from prior festivals. We left with even more friends and the pattern of this is beyond beautiful to me. That we as humans can cultivate these powerful friendships and experiences. Some that may only last for a couple days, or for a night, or even a few minutes. Others may last months or years, but to me, the astonishing beauty of it all, is that we are willing to throw ourselves into these unknown environments with strangers, and leave them feeling lifted up and stimulated. That we can meet someone, learn from them and they from you, and then part ways. Maybe exchanging phone numbers or emails or nothing at all except that fragment of time where you just felt the intense effect of human interaction. The fact that people I have never met can have these overwhelming feelings on me, just shows what we as humans are capable of. It restores humanity in my eyes and each time I leave I am reminded that collectively we are good. That although we are still capable of unimaginable violence and hatred, we as a whole all want the exact same thing: to be loved, appreciated, understood. And when we are, we are able to give all of that back. It's an absolutely fascinating cycle. We are much more alike than we are different and Wanderlust proves this.
^3 city girls camping is pretty comical. #overpackmuch?
This weekend is important for me because I'm able to come back to San Francisco, and do my absolute best to give and love and let go of judgements (both of myself and others) and just accept life and people as they are. I'm reminded that I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be. I'm able to refresh on the fact that nothing needs to be changed or altered. That when we can accept and love other people exactly as they are, as well as our life exactly as it is, it will be given right back to us. It's the most authentic result that exists. Am I perfect at this? Hell no. Do I worry and try to change my circumstances or throw pity parties on myself? Of course. I guess my overall point is that my faith in all of us becomes renewed each time I attend this festival. My faith in myself too. I was fortunate enough to not be born in a third world country or anywhere around our world, where people are suffering from extreme hardship and fear. So all I can do is appreciate this one life, in this one beautiful city. I have the power to treat myself and the ones who cross my path, with the upmost compassion and love the best way I can. Will it always be easy? No. But am I getting better at it? Absolutely.
GRATEFUL is the purest word I can use to describe this past weekend. For my arms and legs that allow me to flow, for my mind that I am learning to be less defined by. For my breath and the soul ability to inhale and exhale and be in charge of that. For these beautiful relationships that form in 3 days that I will remember for the rest of my life. For the mountains, nature and fresh air. The torrential downpour we watched through the floor to ceiling windows during our Led Zeppelin yoga class:) The PEOPLE that listen and hear. The hugs and kisses and touching between us as people that just feel SO DAMN GOOD. The laughs between old friends and strangers. The simple ability to fill our bellies with the healthiest foods on the planet. Music. Life. and the most important of them all, God.
Thankful beyond belief. :):)
^yes!
