Because, I needed to try.
Part Three - My Radical Sabbatical
Day Two
The question has been asked, “Why in the world did I want to make this trek?” The answer from my heart was, “Because I need to try.”
I Will Fly
Born with everything I needed to become a butterfly, it would be my Radical Sabbatical that would take me there. Experiencing many firsts on this journey—each would stretch and pull, creatively molding a new me.
This trip would definitely take me to my edge. I was a caterpillar, entering her chrysalis. Protected, life as I knew it would begin to turn into a fluid, soupy essence. Bit-by-bit, I would unlock the information needed for my personal growth. New connections would form, each providing the required knowledge to get to the next stage of expansion. I would fly!
Journal Entry | October 1: This morning, as I got up 90 minutes earlier than we agreed upon, I remembered what my heart had asked during planning, “But what about the Sabbatical?” I had to tell Angela this morning that I agreed to continue to keep up with my day job. It’s been a complex secret because she has been such an advocate for me taking time away, and I get that and know I need it too – but the money. So, now she knows. I feel ashamed, but she didn’t judge and was very supportive. Bless her.
Tuesday, October 1
Itinerary:
6:30 am: Leave Cleveland 5.5 hours; noon arrive at Niagara Falls
Yoga Photo Shoot / Niagara Falls Observation Tower / Prospect St. (2–3 pm)
Decide if we are staying in Niagara or heading out for Kripalu at 5 pm? Or, drive to overnight in Syracuse (2.5 hours), Albany is another 2.25. Kripalu 1 hour later
Shot list: Niagara Falls | John & Amanda | Yoga | Fall Foliage - Northeast
4:00 am - On The Road Again
The Willie Nelson song, On The Road Again and the Dunkin’ Donut commercial from the seventies, “Time to make the Donuts” would replay in my mind each time the alarm would go off, indicating it was time to get up or be on the road on the sojourn.
One thing is for sure. I am absolutely a morning person. It’s always been my time to shine!! And, the upside of that this morning? We are ahead of schedule because we drove extra last night. Niagara Falls by 11 am, baby!!
First Pop-In Yoga
As we drove into the Buffalo area, we talked about how nice a practice would feel to our road-worn bodies. Our mission: to find a yoga studio to practice and hopefully make a Yoga Warrior connection. Because part of this journey would entail collecting information for the book, documenting people’s stories and making photos of the Warrior II pose, what better time to start than right here.
I had done the research, and we had a long list of studios to find a class. The deciding factor would be the time. And we needed to find one that started before noon. As we continued, Angela found one at the Soma Cura Wellness Center, and the description of the class and studio had us intrigued. So, that’s where we had Google take us.
Journal Entry | October 1: I found myself stalling this morning as we searched for a studio to practice because I was scared. Yoga turned into the reason for this trip, and I would need to sell it. The doubts and fears were creeping back.
Soma Cura would be the perfect place for my first pop-in yoga event. Walking in, gear in tow, I remember thinking that I might just pass-out with nerves.
Journal Entry | October 1: Soma Cura was an unexpected surprise. I am not a fan of big-box yoga studios, preferring to practice in those with lots of character and where a Zen-like feeling is evident as soon as I open the door. Because we were walking into a strip mall, I just assumed it would be kind of cookie-cutter and sterile. However, this was so far from reality. This studio had it all – a great vibe, art and a terrific back-story.
Opening the door, a beautiful feeling of calm, love and happiness embraced us. The response continued as I explained why we were there, and my purpose was accepted. Sue, my first ‘ask,’ was in!
After a much-needed practice, we would have a tour of her extensive studio and salt spa. Sue was very gracious. She shared how she became a yoga studio owner and made time for photos. She even invited another teacher to play and share in the experience. (and so, the ripple begins!!)
Journal Entry | October 1: Lesson learned! I know better than to judge without all of the information. Maybe I was trying to stall with reasons not to go in. Damn fear!! Sue was great, though! I don’t think she knew how nervous I was. Grateful!!
Creating Good Habits
The take away from this first contact would be to persist. Looking back, the fear of rejection and personal feeling of lack would lessen with each new encounter. Each time I reached a unique opportunity for connection, I prepared by zipping up my lion’s suit, an act which has always given me the confidence to accomplish the job in front of me.
Continuing this adventure, I learned that authenticity and being vulnerable are two sweet spots when forging meaningful connections. This encounter was an important ‘first.’ It helped me set the stage for success in each new meeting.
Niagara Falls?
As we left the Soma Cura in complete bliss, driving across the bridge that connects Grand Island and Niagara Falls, there were high hopes for the rest of the day.
In planning for this trip, I scoured the internet to find examples of photos of this world wonder, as is sometimes the case, the actual place found less impressive than the pictures. To me, the area looked old and a little dirty. I am chalking it up to the time of year and maybe even the time of day. I asked a shop owner about what I was sensing. She told me the bustle of tourist season was over, and most of the area would be closing for the season within a few weeks. As a photographer, it was a place I should have visited early morning or late afternoon. The sun at those times makes everything look better!
Wishing we would have had time to pop over to Ontario. It would have been interesting to see if that side had better angles. Instead, we wandered along the paths above the falls, never really getting close enough to shoot the angle I visioned.
Broken Camera
It was then; I noticed my camera wasn’t working correctly. *ARG!! What was I going to do?? Photography was another reason for this trip!! (*insert small meltdown here).
I brought a back-up, but it wasn’t one I used every day. And this trip was going to require me to make good photos!!
Journal Entry | October 1: OH! MY! GOSH! I cannot believe my camera broke today! I was so pissed and had a little private meltdown, but after a few minutes of quiet sitting, I guess I recovered. (sigh) It’s all good. I will just learn to use the other camera (thank God I brought it!) and, in the meantime, use my phone. Not perfect, but it’ll have to do. (big… deep… breaths…)
Journal Entry | October 1: When I take time to understand, I find silver linings in every set-back.
First Yoga Photoshoot - Busted!
Today was my first scheduled yoga photoshoot with a woman I met while sending out the press release to studios. Virtually, we hit it off right away, and I was excited to meet her. My friend John from Toronto had already notified me that he and his group couldn’t make the time. So the plan was to spend an hour in the afternoon on the Niagara Falls Observation Tower, taking photos, documenting Amanda’s story.
Journal Entry | October 1: I was so bummed when John let me know he couldn’t meet up, and then, when Amanda texted she wasn’t going to make it either? I am kind of taking this personally. People aren’t giving me a chance. This is supposed to be a fun event! Maybe I’m not the only one with fears.
As Angela and I tried to find a parking spot, I received a message that Amanda wouldn’t be able to make it. There was an emergency, and she was at the doctor’s office. Sending her positive energy, I started thinking ahead for an alternative plan.
And what was going through my mind was, “be flexible – go with the flow – all is well.” Because isn’t that what I have been trying to embrace over the past few years??
First Overnight Parking Lot
Remember what I said about definitely being a morning person?? The opposite is absolutely accurate for the evening. I love being snuggled into bed by 8:30 (unless there is a beautiful sunset to get to).
Ahead of schedule again, we decided not to stay overnight at Niagara Falls and travel past the second stopping consideration of Syracuse, NY, and instead, going on to Albany for our second overnight.
Journal Entry | October 1: Albany, NY – arriving tonight, I am so frick ‘en tired. OMG. We drove more than 600 miles today. (What have I gotten myself into??) There is an upside, though. I have identified a vulnerable point in my day – the early evening. I need to have a plan for stopping and food well in advance of this time of day. I crashed energetically tonight, and thank God again for Angela. She helped me find the parking lot at the Planet Fitness, where we would be showering in the morning before going on to Kripalu. Note to self – DON “T DRIVE AFTER 6:30 pm!!!! Poor Angela. She is my guardian Angel.
Utterly exhausted from the day’s events and driving 325 more miles had me in my second meltdown of the day. Not entirely sure where we would stay, we decided to see what was available around the Planet Fitness, where we planned on showering in the morning.
Driving around the parking lot to check for potential (scary) pitfalls again. (I really needed to let this go) we found a spot. Dinner was next. We decided that eating comfort food on Panera’s patio where we both could decompress was an excellent idea.
It had been a long day, and another lay ahead of us—time for rest.
My Comfort Zone
Journal Entry | October 1: Today, I had been punched outside of my comfort zone on so many occasions. But, I am becoming more aware. Big hopes for tomorrow!!
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