Our one year anniversary of becoming Floridian's is upon us. On July 6th we will have been here in the sunny state of Florida for exactly one year. So what are we doing to celebrate? We are getting in our car and heading up to visit good old Minnesota. It feels strange to say that I am spending my vacation in Minnesota - this is something I never thought I would say. Do not get me wrong, I love Minnesota but after living there for 34 years it was always home, not a vacation destination.
I have to laugh a bit for we now live in a state that is a vacation destination and every time I walk on the beach I think, this is so cool. Sometimes I still feel like I am on vacation. I have grown accustomed to my beach walks, my constant application of SPF and even those palmetto bugs are old hat now.
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| One of our favorite places just 10 minutes from our home: Honeymoon Island State Park Mike caught this picture of me doing what I love the most - walking on the beach! |
So with this pending trip ahead of us I must say that I am a bit anxious. I am excited to see all my family and friends but I wonder how I am going to feel. I have not seen some of my family members for over a year. This is the longest I have ever gone in my entire life without seeing them. How are my kids going to react to going back to Minnesota? Will I not want to leave? Will I be excited to come back to Florida? So many questions - ah!
I was on the phone this past week with a college friend who I plan on seeing on my trip and I said to her, "I might cry." I just know it is going to be an emotional trip. As I write this blog passage I am actually starting to feel alright about it being emotional. I believe that relationships are the most crucial part of being human. So, experiencing joy of reconnecting and sorrow of living far away are simply responses to my own humanity.
I have been trying my hardest to keep up with my personal yoga practice to help me stay centered through these next few weeks. I came across a nice article about yoga and anxiety. We live in a culture that tends to create a lot of anxiety and stress. So, sometimes it is something as simple as taking a few moments to breathe deeply and move freely with our bodies that helps us calm down. Take a look at the article if you are looking for actual postures that are helpful for this:
Yoga poses for anxiety
I am truly excited to spend my summer vacation with my family and friends. I know I will have a ton of fun, laughing (and maybe crying), reconnecting and remembering what matters to me most. Nurturing human relationships should always be emotional; otherwise it simply is just "someone I know."
May the love in my heart honor the love in yours,
Namaste
P.S. Minnesota peeps, call, text or email me if you want to get together while we are up in MN. Please keep the mosquitoes to a minimum!
