Do you ever get so wrapped up in what's to come that you forget to appreciate the good things you've got going on in your life?
Over the last couple weeks I've been in planning mode. I've got a yoga retreat coming up in Ibiza (fully booked, I can't believe it!), soon after we'll be flying back to the US (east coast) where we'll visit family, and then we're off to Los Angeles, where we'll spend our summer. I am so excited! The list of things I want to do in LA is a mile long, and I've been googling like a mad woman, but yesterday during a yoga class I was teaching, it dawned on me that I need to pump the breaks and soak up all the goodness I've got going on right now.
Out for a run
Checking out the market
Getting in a little chess play (he always wins)
So today we set the house hunting and planning aside, and took a trip to a nearby city. It was a gorgeous day, and we sat outside at a cafe to play chess. It's funny, the things you notice when you're really trying to be fully present. The air, smelling of bratwurst and cigarettes, made me smile even though I can't stand cigarette smoke. I looked around, taking in the atmosphere- the couple next to me was speaking Russian, the couple on my other side was talking in hushed German. A young Turkish family stopped by our table to ask to pet our husky. It was a nice little afternoon.
Living abroad can be challenging. And awkward. But it can also be so fulfilling. The kindness and compassion of strangers mean so much. The connections I've made with my students and the people I work with are so strong despite the language barrier. I've certainly got it good here. And sometimes we just need to press pause in our busy lives and take a moment to appreciate what we've got, you know?