Just Be

Anyone that knows me is at least vaguely aware of a message I've been heralding for some time. JUST BE. It's on my car, it's in my email...it's a succinct phrase, that for me sums up a lot...

• accepting others as they are
• moving with the ebb and flow of life
• appreciating the simple pleasures
• having faith

So I found it surprising when I ventured to Key West on my own (post divorce) to do some soul searching and was provided a clear message that touched on this very philosophy.

On the 5th day of my vacation I was taking another yoga class on the beach (holy cow, should ever you have the opportunity - I highly recommend). As we held our pose, I had my eyes closed so my other senses could feast (the smell of the ocean, sound of the sea gulls). On the back of my eyelids I saw a hand writing something in cursive...it was a slow and deliberate movement (nothing like how I would write!).

The words 'allow', 'release', 'surrender', 'let go' and finally 'just be' were being etched in front of me. But what made it uber-powerful was that after each word was written, the yoga instructor would use it (and after 4 days of class I knew they weren't in her normal class vocabulary). Needless to say, I got chills and felt like I was receiving some very direct spiritual guidance - so really started to pay attention!

Nothing more than that came directly, but I took the advise and right after class rented a chair and umbrella to hang out for the day. Not to read, write, take pictures, or listen to music - but to sit right there and surrender. I stayed there for hours...sometimes people watching, other times soaking in the beauty - and of course enjoying the occasional nap. Normally it's hard for me to turn of the little voice in my head - but between yoga, the stunning scenery, and of course what I deemed an important ah-ha...on this day I was able to do it easily. And - I found more and more that when I'd quiet myself for this kind of meditation (or prayer, call it what you will), further clarity would come.

So, I've been working with these words as concepts, enjoying the continued ah-ha's of how to apply them and relishing the gift I was given. That said, it didn't go unnoticed by me that one of the phrases was my favorite "just be" and it made me wonder...

• was it a reminder?
• had I not been living my own mantra?
• why had I applied it to accepting others but not myself?
• was it time to shake off all falsehoods / roles that don't reflect my essence?
• could there be another Sara, somewhere deep within that was trying to be heard?

I don't have any answers, just hunches...and I've certainly made some staggering life changes (good bye corporate america, hello 6 month road trip). Even with all that, I still try to keep these ideas in the forefront of my mind and then let the rest fall into line. I am paying attention (awareness is always key isn't it?) and that's perfectly fine with me nowadays - no final answers with an action plan required. It's all good as I practice what I preach - JUST BE.