Sun Salutations in the Sun Room

Thursday: January 28th

As I write this blog post I am torn. I just left a deep conversation in the kitchen with Li and Alley about life's hardships. I love that I am writing this blog but it is interesting to take a step back and realize that in order to remember all of these memories I have to take time away from the current moments I am experiencing to remember the ones I have experienced.

Anyways... today was a learning day. I woke up upset with some of my housemates. Actually extremely upset and disappointed. This feeling took me to a dark place that wanted nothing to do with. I kept to myself until Alley and Yen were up. I went into the kitchen to talk to them about how I was feeling. Yen shared her wisdom of how to deal with other humans. First off, letting other humans control your attitude means they have control. You should be the only one who has control over your attitude and well being. It is yourself who allows these negative feelings and energy into your body. Alley explained her technique of taking a step back to decide whether the situation was really worth her time or energy. Ninety percent of the time it is not.

We had our morning pow wow on the rood. I began to learn a lot about myself during this time. Alley and Yen shared life stories about stress and I quietly took mental notes. I realized I need to focus more on the positives of people versus the negatives. To feel physically and mentally healthy I need to express my feeling through movement whether it be dance, yoga, or even journaling.

 After enjoying the morning air and view we went into the sun room to practice yoga. Yoga was truly special today. Our practice was led by Yen. We were in the sun room, facing the sun, practicing slow sun salutations. My life is beautiful. While we practiced a quick standing shavasana, I closed my eyes and looked toward the sun. There was a design beneath my eyelids. It appeared to be raindrops layered on top of one another. I told Yen about it later and she explained that it was the sun's gift to me in gratitude for our practice and sun salutations. I really enjoyed thinking of it this way.

We then went to the woods to log and fill the truck with useable wood. I have become more comfortable with the chainsaw. After about ten minutes of continuous cutting your body becomes exhausted. I am positive that I will be sore in the morning.

After lunch Li and I finished tarring the roof. It was actually kind of stressful to be on the roof with an eight-year-old. Anytime he walked within five feet of the edge my heart clenched in my chest. Thankfully we figured out a routine so I was near the edge while he worked on the center. I now know how to tar, lay down tar paper, and then tar that tar paper down successfully.

Tim and Brian were going out to dinner so the rest of us decided to do the same. We went out for a cheap pizza and returned home to play games. Games are always fun and a great bonding time. After games Li wanted to play more. We told him we would play in a little bit while Alley and I shared stories about current and past relationships. Li joined in and we spend the rest of the night talking instead of playing more games. Well, this now takes us full circle. I am grateful to have this experience and to be consciously learning from it everyday.