I came back from Zurich a couple of days ago. This was the first time I traveled somewhere since Covid-19 happened. I do feel guilty sometimes but traveling is something I really feel I need. Or I could learn to do without it of course but it's not something want. Traveling really helps me to get a different perspective and break my habits. I tend to form strong habits and even though that also is a good thing sometimes (I can be really disciplined) I often feel my habits keeps me in a cage, they restrict me. And I often tend to think that my habits and routines are quite boring.
In this post I'll share some new ideas I have since returning. As always, I'm trying my best to stay in the present moment but I also need to start to plan a bit for my future. In a couple of months I'm moving back to Sweden after three years in Berlin.
, it turned out to be quite an experience with a sinking boat...A change of scenery is (almost) always for the better
I was actually a bit nervous about the short flight to Zurich in these Covid-19 times. Usually, I'm actually pretty relaxed when it comes to travel, it's like I enter I different state or something. I often feel like I become the version of myself I desire to be all the time. More open, outgoing, and curious. I guess you can also say more positive. I feel more alive. But I also know I shouldn't 'need' travel to activate this state. I still have a lot of work to do in order to fully appreciate my daily life and to feel inspired by what sometimes feels like mundane habits.
Anyway, the flight routine wasn't any different except for the compulsory mask and a form I had to fill out so they can track me in case someone on the plane would fall sick. I didn't think much about that.
A change of scenery was very welcomed and I enjoyed getting out of the city. I didn't swim as much as I anticipated but I'll make an effort to find some lakes around Berlin. I do miss Sweden though when it comes to swimming in a lake. But I'll not focus on that, instead, I'll do my best to feel grateful for everything that is available to me right now, in this moment. And since I don't feel that I have so much time left in Berlin I'll try to be more active. In that sense I'll push myself more, for sure.
I want to get back in shape
This is actually also what I mean when I say I want to be more active. I feel it's time to start to push my body more. For such a long time I have felt I can't do that anymore, my body is weak, and for sure, that has also been the case. But now I feel I'm stronger than I have been for a long time and I want to find out. I want to get back into my regular yoga practice of course but I also want to run and use my muscles more. I want to see if I can feel as strong and fit as I did 10 years ago. With the right mindset I think it's possible. I'm older of course but also wiser. I'll recognize when it's time to rest. But I'm convinced I can push myself way more than I'm currently doing, in all areas of my life really.
When it comes to physical exercise I now have a Fitbit tracker, a birthday present. I think it'll help me to stay motivated, I haven't paid attention to how many steps I take each day before. Let's see if I'll give Actifit a try.
I feel eager to get more out of my life and make things happen. Sometimes I feel I spend so much time waiting. I mean, I think and reflect a lot but I easily tend to feel a bit depressed and then I don't really see the point in doing much. I know physical exercise will help me to break out of this habit. It's so familiar to me so it's comfortable. But I don't want a comfortable life, I want a vibrant life. What that actually entails is still for me to figure out though. I try my best to do so without any pressure.
I also want to meditate more
Meditation is really so important to me. Since I started to meditate I'm much more self-aware, I can catch myself more often when I get caught in destructive thought patterns and I'm much more connected to my body. For about two years here in Berlin I had a strict spiritual practice, it was necessary in order to keep up with the tantra course I participated in. But since my schedule got very busy at the beginning of this year I reluctantly decided to quit the course. And I can tell I somehow have lost much of the determination and aspiration I had. Not in general, but when it comes to my spiritual practice. I miss having a spiritual teacher.
One wish for the future is to go to Portugal and stay at a tantric retreat that's just about to open. A part of me really wants to fully immerse myself in a spiritual practice. To meet with like-minded people, who are as dedicated. This is not really in the cards for me right now but it's definitely something that's alive in me. In the meantime I'll do my best to meditate more on my own.
I'll end this post with a Buddha quote:
Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine.
Thanks for reading 🙏
Love and blessings to you all 💚
MINDFUL LIFE is a Natural Medicine project which supports meditators on HIVE
Discord II Community**