Unknowing

[My favorite photo taken on our last day in Jordan - me and Karyn at sunset.  Photo taken by the magnificent Gillian.]

One of the reasons I am able to go wild creatively in my studio is because I maintain a number of very consistent routines throughout my days and weeks.  I always get the same kind of milk (2%) for my morning cafe au laits, I fold my laundry a certain way, I have a routine for washing my face at night.  These little rituals give me time to simply go through a number of comforting motions that I know I can rely on.  The downside is that I can get so attached to them I have to sometimes be convinced that other options might be just as viable, workable and enjoyable.  When dining at our favorite neighborhood Italian restaurant, every once in a while my husband implores me to order something other than what I order 99% of the time, and when I follow his urging, our regular waiter is actually kind of disappointed because I'm breaking the routine.  (But I love that he knows what I usually want - see there?  Another little spot of familiar comfort in my routine.)

The same is true with my yoga classes, although my tendency to stick with the same level of classes has had more to do with my confidence level, and feeling unsure of my abilities beyond what I know I can do well.  If someone had come to me this morning and suggested I take a Level 2/3 Vinyasa Flow class, I would have laughed my head off and then very seriously said, "No way."  Level 2/3?  Vinyasa Flow?  I'd pass out!  I'd make a fool of myself!  Forget it!

But today I was running late, and walked into the wrong room, and for some reason I knew immediately I was in the wrong class.  But instead of going into panic mode as the door to the classroom clicked shut, I looked at our teacher - who I fell madly in love with the instant she smiled and welcomed us - and decided to simply take whatever the class had to offer and do my best.  Because I had no earthly idea what the class was, and decided it was better to not know.

The long and short of it is that I did much better than I thought I would.  While there were a few instances in which I was totally unfamiliar with the instructions - having to look around to see how everyone around me was twisting, contorting and supporting themselves in some pretty serious poses - I actually had fun being so open to whatever we were told to do.  And now I'm hooked, and will most definitely be back in this class with this teacher.  Not only that, but I'm now feeling courageous enough to try other higher level classes.  What is so great about this is that I feel inspired to try new classes now not because I'm trying to push myself, but because, hey, if I can get by in the class I inadvertently took today, then maybe I'm more capable of bigger challenges than I thought I was.

And the other treat?  I met a lovely woman who told me she's been reading my blog for years, and that was just icing on the cake.

Sometimes, going somewhere we didn't intend to go turns out to be the exact place we belong.  Sometimes, the greatest joy comes about when we're feeling lost and uncertain, but willing to stay on the path anyway.

Comments

[Amy]

I love that you stumbled across exactly what you needed. I love it when that happens.

[Kristen Fischer]

I like this post---great reminder:)

[Tara Bradford]

My philosophy is always leap and the net will appear. :) xo

[Cindy L.]

Wise advice! As a writer and a mixed-media artist, I find it helps to switch back and forth between the two "routines" required to get work done for each. And trying something new is always inspirational!

[Nicoleknavel]

I SO needed to hear this right now. With so many changes and uncertainties in my life right now, I have been feeling a bit down. Thank you for your words.

[gillian]

I thought I commented? No, okay here goes.

You write exactly the way you speak, without pretention, and so! from your heart.

I remember seeing the lush Jordanian landscapes fly by me...listening to the words from your soul about your art, life, love...and it is part of my journey now.

Sometimes, despite our intentions (road to hell and all...) we DO end up EXACTLY where we belong. With the right people, in the right country, doing all the right things.

I've distilled much essence lately from that trip and the goodness of you amazing ladies is a large part of that...along with the stars, the sand, the humour! I love that we end up where fate places us, unbeknownst as to the reason why sometimes.

Thank you for your inspiring and lovely postcard, it has top billing on our fridge. xoxoxo

[tali]

I was walking around my parent's local hallmark store yesterday, when I ran into some plaques that I immediately recognized as your work. I was so excited to find them...I bought this one: http://demdaco.com/detail.aspx?ID=22072

I'm SO excited to hang this in my new home when we move next month. :)

[Annice]

Balancing routine and self-care through soothing reminding motions with living on the edge by having courage, trying new things, and tasting some adventure is exactly what it is all about. Have fun in the new classes!

[liz]

"Sometimes, the greatest joy comes about when we're feeling lost and uncertain, but willing to stay on the path anyway" beautifully put. i love it.

[Hagit]

What a wonderful post! It reminded me of "Oh, the Places You'll Go" by Dr. Seuss. If you haven't read it, it's here:
http://www.teamhope.com/seuss.htm

I came here from Kelly Kilmer's blog, so that was my nice discovery of the day! :)

[Elizabeth]

absolute loveliness! and? truthiness!

smooch, E

[Cassie]

I love the photo. And if that were me, I totally would have went into panic mode and turned around and walked out of that class...but I also would have missed out on your awesome experience. How cool is it that you met someone who reads your blog!

Those last two sentence made you my new hero by the way...

[leonie]

yep, often i discover that i find important things, whilst i was on the way to somewhere else.

i think the beauty of a moment is when it is noticed that the routine has been stepped out of and that it can teach something

those last 2 sentences really do sum it up beautifully

[Annika Christine]

"Sometimes, going somewhere we didn't intend to go turns out to be the exact place we belong. Sometimes, the greatest joy comes about when we're feeling lost and uncertain, but willing to stay on the path anyway."

So true, so true!

[Heather Rae]

I love this. I am very much like this in that I tend to stick to my routines. In my dance classes, I've stayed in the same level because I'm nervous that the higher level class will be out of my league (even though I've done the lower level way too long). I think I might just try the higher level class next week. Thanks for this!

[Donna]

I tore a page out of your notebook and rode the more difficult horse at my lesson the other day. I even thought to myself - Christine would be liking this. Good for you for staying in the room; showing up is most of the battle. xoxo

[Mary Beth]

it was so nice nice to meet you today. i love this post. i hope to see you in many more of kia's classes.

xoxo

[kat]

love your post...especially the end!! so true!!!

[Amber]

"Sometimes, the greatest joy comes about when we're feeling lost and uncertain, but willing to stay on the path anyway." Amen to that! And gorgeous picture, as well. :)