Sunset St. John
Is it better to do or to be?
So I did end up going down to Carnival last night. I am glad I did because I got to see what it’s like but it was not what I wanted or expected. A lot of people walking around…food and music, yes, but no real dancing. It was kind of early so that might have accounted for this but the bands we saw could best be described as tepid.
Today is the parade and I have decided to spend the last day of my Vision Quest retreat at home. Today is also the first overcast day since we arrived…a good day to stay in I say. I have been contemplating this doing vs being thing and have landed in the middle. I think life has to combine both. Not to say that we can’t practice mindfulness while doing but I think I will do better to just accept that sometimes I have to be in various degrees of action and restfulness. Rather than struggling to always just “be” I am going to focus on just being happy whether I am in motion or still. I think this a reasonable choice that represents the middle way.
This being said, there has been a lot of doing and great adventure on this trip. It really is just too much to capture in this blog so I will just give some of the recent highlights…
Great early morning swims, being held afloat is gentle waters, my huge school of silver minnows, the octopus, Mr. Shark, being surrounded by the most brilliant scenery at all times, rooftop yoga to a setting sun and under moonshine, being on the boat with the wind wipping my face, the taste of salt on my lips, the biggest barracuda I have ever seen, gorgeous squid, good food, peace, fresh air, communing with the spirit of Mami Wata, dancing by myself in the villa, silver moonlight on the bay, the brown lizard dancing to the Gap Band’s “Outstanding” yesterday, the cutest sea turtle I ever saw this morning, my family, laughter, surviving a car accident, being in love and being infinitely grateful to be alive.
I am off to enjoy my last day in this corner of Paradise. Happy Independence Day!
(first posted 7.4.09)
