A Year With Rumi
The other night I borrowed a book from work titled “A Year With Rumi.” Rumi was a 13th century poet whose work is still quoted and embraced as gospel for those searching for a deeper meaning in life. My intention was to use the book as a prop, but while flipping through the pages I found myself immersed in his words. Since there are 365 pieces, I naturally flipped to the dates that held significance to me- birthdays, holidays, etc. Then I turned to the poem of that present date- July 19. It’s strange sometimes how messages sneak up on you when you are least expecting it. I felt a really strong connection to this particular piece of writing, and had it not been that exact day I may never have uncovered it. To me this piece is about living for and recognizing who we are meant to be… Accepting our differences and embracing the love inside us that fuels us to make the best choices for our individual life paths.
“Love for Certain Work”
Traveling is as refreshing for some
as staying at home is for others.
Solitude in a mountain place
fills with companionship for this one,
and weariness for that one.
This person loves being in charge
of the workings of a community.
This other one loves the ways
heated iron can be shaped with a hammer.
Each has been given a strong desire
for certain work, a love for these motions,
and all motion is love.
The way sticks and pieces of dead grass and leaves
shift about in the wind
and with the directions of rain and puddle-water
on the ground, those motions
are all following the love
they have been given.
6Reality. Check.
A week ago I boarded a nine hour, two-stop bus ride leaving Tamarindo and heading to my next destination. I was greasy from only taking cold showers, hungry from only eating granola bars, and tired from being up all night swatting away mosquitoes and bugs. My volunteer work was over and the only conclusion about life I had come to was that I was going to move to California. I was terrified to return to New York.
And then the most miraculous thing happened… I walked into air conditioning. I took a hot shower. I ate a handful of almonds and some fresh mango. I sipped a glass of red wine. REAL red wine. (I shudder at the thought of the sour pink wine I was served at our local bar in San Ramon). After I was pampered for a bit, I sat down and took in some tough love.
I was asked questions that I didn’t have an answer to. I was made to feel like an intelligent, successful “grown up.” I was treated as an intellectual equal by two brilliant, warm and wise adults, while being guided in the same gentle manner as a doe-eyed teenager. I felt like my own parents had somehow channeled themselves through these non-biased and compassionate mentors. I listened. And I learned.
I return home in a less than a week, and I finally feel like I’m ready to go back. I have direction and I have a purpose.
Most importantly, I’ve found balance between my harshly realistic outlook on my career and my overly idealistic views on love. I know my worth.
As you all read this I’ll be sitting on a speed boat to Mal Pais to conclude my trip. It will be my last few days to “vacation”- to unwind, take in the scenery, explore the culture, read those books I’ve been saving, meet more people, and get owned by a few more waves. I have a seriously intense road ahead of me and I plan to savor every moment of the serenity, here and now.
But have no fear New York… I’m coming home. Hold on to a few of those majestic fall colors until I return.
Love.
Today’s post is dedicated to love. The love that my family and friends, both new and old, have showered me with in the past month that I was away. If it were not for your love, I may never have found the path that I will be heading down when I return home.
26 days ago I was completely lost. I came to Costa Rica in a state of quiet desperation, hoping that some miracle would find it’s way to me and give me all the answers. And it did. It came in many different forms.
Some mornings it arrived on my iPod on my long journey up to work. Some days it appeared in my inbox in an e-mail from someone who took the time to write me while I was away. Some nights it popped up on my cell phone as a “thinking of you” text.
In other ways it came in the form of tough love. When I considered the idea of uprooting my entire life to start fresh, I was guided by the voices of both strangers and close friends to reconsider my choice. For the first time in awhile, I listened to those voices.
Now I sit on the horizon of an exciting new adventure, one that will change my life and the lives of those I will help when THEY are feeling lost. The Universe has been good to me… She shook me up a bit but then dropped me exactly where I needed to be. I am so excited, so thankful, and so anxious to begin.
I return home to NYC in 10 days, and I can’t wait to give my love right back to the people who have shared it with me along the way.
Until then, know I carry every single one of you with me everywhere I go.
