healthy soul: you + me = us

There are many things you do to find center.

You downward dog.

Your thumbs turn green.

You find comfort in the smell of fresh baked bread kneaded by the strength of your hands.

You escape…for a few blissful moments and return feeling rejuvenated.

This last weekend, I escaped with my Fiance. Our weekend opened up and he suggested a random road trip. Of course, the natural planner in me wanted to go up the 101 to the Big Redwoods.  However, that was nixed. He really wanted this to be as random and unplanned as possible. So instead of the google map, I activated the compass. Northward bound was our only concern.

Destination: undetermined.

As we were driving north, he decided to get off the highway.  He took an exit and headed west. After a beautifully winding road coupled with vineyards on each side, we found ourselves driving past Lake Sonoma.  As we began driving up the road I laughingly said, “How awesome would it be if there was a winery at the top!”  THERE WAS! We stumbled upon Gustafson Family Vineyards and ended up becoming wine club members.  Random and spontaneous.

This was his escape.

His escape is spontaneity.

After enjoying our time chatting with the owner and touring the vineyard, we headed back out towards the coast.  We ended up in the small town of Gualala at the Surf Motel.  We had a hearty dinner and spent the evening walking the bluff and enjoying the atmosphere.  It was around three in the morning when I awoke to the sounds of the ocean crashing against the shore.

I stared out the window of our ocean front room silently enjoying the sounds wash over me.

This was my escape.

We often feel we need to be alone to recenter.  Our attention focused on downward dog, the flowering tomato plant, or the elasticity of the dough is solitary awareness.  However, let us not forget to find center with our loved ones.

Your escape plus my escape equals our escape.

We find center – together.