Wrong Turns in the Right Direction

It is so easy to fall into routines, habits, maybe you call them ruts. I happen to be a fan of routines. I like the comfort of consistency, to some extent.  For most of us, when transitions or major life changes occur we are forced to turn off cruise control and take the wheel.  Which means we may accidentally make a wrong turn, or blow a stop sign...or two (I swear it came out of nowhere).   But one thing is certain, the only way to find your stride and regain your composure is to get back on the bike and keep pedaling.  Enough metaphors yet?

My first week in Bristol, Connecticut was certainly filled with a variety of missteps.  Adjusting to life in a dorm shared with 8 other women, a new job at espnW and trying to maintain my health with nutrition and exercise was no small feat.  But instead of easing into it and letting myself settle into everything, I tried to force fit the perfect schedule right off the bat.  Always swinging for the fences.  Well we know what they say about home run hitters, they either go long or whiff.  And let me tell you, I had certainly hit a slump!

Popping out of bed early on day one to get a nice run in before heading to work seemed like a great idea, until it started to pour half way through! But no biggie, right?  After a quick shower, tried to make a nice cup of morning coffee but instead of a little sprinkle of cinnamon, I threw in an onslaught of garlic powder! (I am used to the cinnamon being in the front!)  I don’t care what the magical powers of garlic are; it does NOT taste good in coffee!  But then it was off to day one at ESPN so nothing could bring me down.

 

Baseball Tonight Studio 

The next morning when I tried to start my day with an INPower breakfast, it took a few tries to get my egg into the pan and not on the floor. I never realized how much of my kitchen time was on autopilot! The last kitchen hiccup was, in fact, at work when I somehow missed the neon yellow paper that was directly at eye level noting, “anything left in the fridge overnight will be discarded due to cleaning.”  That made for a nice surprise Friday around 1:00pm. See ya lunch and favorite Built NYC bag. 

Then there were the few times I made wrong turns coming home from work. Mind you, there is only one turn to make and the office is less than a mile away. 

Some may throw this one up in the loss column as a rough first week. But I am rocking a huge W.  Nobody learns how to throw a new pitch over night; it is the process of learning and figuring out what will work for you, that’s the fun part. The only way to figure that out? Keep at it.

Weighted Boxing Gloves for Piloxing! 

Being in a new town it was really tempting to stay in this weekend and get “caught up”.  But I decided to go for it – keep pedaling. I mentioned last week that I found an incredible fitness studio here in CT, Bloom Yoga Health and Wellness.  I like to start my day early – so why not with some 7am fist pumping and jab and hook combinations?  Ever heard of Piloxing? Me either, but let me tell you, I am a fan! A mix of boxing and Pilates, it is a great work out.  I was very hesitant to walk into the packed class, with weighted boxing gloves, a complete newbie. But I am so glad I did. If I had not gone, I would have never met some of the great women there who gave me a bunch of suggestions for the rest of the day and insisted I join them at the fusion yoga class immediately after. It was the perfect combination for a Saturday morning!     

Crescent Lake, Southington, CT

I was inspired by the yoga class, where we focused on our half monkey pose (a split), which symbolizes the “greatest leap of faith” and easing into something new but simply going for it! I mean…quite the coincidence.  I spent the rest of the day exploring the area, only to find exactly what I was looking for.  At first glance, there does not seem to be much beyond a series of strip malls and Dunkin Donuts on Queen Street.  But if you just keep going, tucked away in sleepy Southington, CT was rolling hills, beautiful orchards and a lake that was the perfect cap to a beautiful Saturday afternoon.  It was a good lesson in being in the moment, open to whatever comes, and trusting that moving forward with the best intentions will get me to my final destination at the right time. And not a minute sooner – no matter how hard I push.

Looking forward to a new adventure today with the family! 

What new things have you tried lately?

Fresh Blooms

It has been a long while. My last post was several months ago, after I had returned from a edifying yoga retreat. Unfortunately, my tendency to over involve myself left me little time to do the writing that I would have liked.  SOO naturally, with starting a new job today, I thought it was a great time to “get back on the horse!” On Saturday I moved into a new dorm for the summer that will be my home during my internship at ESPN. It is a very exciting, energizing opportunity that is filled with uncertainty. As we all know, change or transition is difficult and throw some unknown variables into the mix and it is a recipe for anxiety! So having invested significant time in getting to know myself, I knew the best way to help maintain balance and peace of mind during this experience is to fall back into the old habits that energize my soul.  Enter, The Whole Peace…and Yoga! 

After getting next to no sleep on my first night back in a twin bed (holy achy back!), while my 8 roommates (yes you read that correctly) slept, I hoped onto the spotty wifi to find the closes yoga studio. To my pleasant surprise there was an 8:45 hot power class a mere 7 miles away. Bloom Yoga Studio was exactly what I was looking for. The universe’s way of reminding me that following my heart will bring me to the right place at the right time. 

One of the yoga mantras written on the wall read “Bloom where you are planted.” Albeit simple, I found this line to be incredibly poignant.  Over the past few years I have been planted and re-planted several times in locations that are all very different. Each was an opportunity to learn, grow and flourish in a new environment. This simple line was a reminder that the challenges that lie ahead are nothing more than an opportunity to learn from those around me, grow, learn and flourish in new ways, that were perhaps previously undiscovered. The decision to “bloom where you are planted” is a commitment to being present, in the moment and dedicated to being the best version of myself in the face of every opportunity.

Come Monday, its time to take the field!  Day one is always the most exciting, new people, places and the endless possibilities!   Cant wait to see how this garden blossoms!

Have a great Monday…what is blooming in your garden?