Riding the Waves of Change

We’ve had this trip planned for a few weeks, a 346km road trip down south to Song Cau, a secluded and small fishing village with beautiful white sand beaches that felt like you were walking on soft clouds, crystal clear blue water and coral + fish life for snorkeling. My first break all year from teaching to re-connect with nature before I head north to lead the 200-hr yoga teacher training in Hanoi.

And then, the wave of change washed in.

After three months of no community transmissions, After months of no community transmissions, neighbouring Da Nang city is the newest outbreak hotspot for COVID-19. With how quickly things change, we cut our trip short to rush home before Hoi An decides to go back into lockdown. 6 hours on the motorbike and sore bums later 😅 we are home safe without much trouble. Phew.

Change has been a major theme this year, both collectively and personally. Reflecting on change, I brought this theme into last week’s classes and find myself again asking: How do I habitually react or respond to change? What tools can I use to embrace change with less fear, and more peace, acceptance and clarity?

Sometimes a relief, sometimes a challenge, but change is always going to be part of our experience. Thich Nhat Hanh shares this about impermanence: “It is not impermanence that makes us suffer. What makes us suffer is wanting things to be permanent when they are not.”

It took me some time to find calmness and clarity amongst the overwhelm of uncertainty. Some of the tools I used: meditation to calm the monkey mind so I could BE calm and clear, taking care of my body as it reacts to stress and having a support network I am so grateful to those I could rant to / bounce thoughts with / have them there to simply listen with understanding 💛 and with these practices, I am embracing uncertainty and change with more acceptance, looking at my habits with compassion, and reminding myself I am safe, I am supported and I am going to be okay.

May you also be safe, supported and okay. May our communities be safe, supported and okay.

Enjoy these photos from our 2-day vacay down south below.