Grateful and Present

It’s been nearly a year since the pandemic arrived in Columbia and our yoga community moved online. Last February was a lifetime ago.

Today I am reflecting on the things that have supported me through this year with some semblance of sanity, although I admit to moments when I was hanging by the very last thread.

Presence has become my greatest ally. The sounds of my home are so familiar now; the textures of cloth, light, and sound blend together to symbolize comfort and safety. I’ve never been more grateful

When I have reached the end of the thread from which I dangle, someone or something has always been there to grab on and hold me tight. A poem, a call, an online class, the sun. Something in me has found the strength to open my eyes and lock onto a resource. I’ve never been more grateful.

Here’s my list of The Primary Things That Have Kept Me Going:

The Forest. My closest friends. Frequent walks, more phone calls with friends than I have had in the past decade. Marco Polo’s, ridiculous text threads, walks around the neighborhood, and honestly, Netflix (with a little bit of Hulu and the Starz app as well, to be honest) have been part of my daily ritual. My new journal = solace and clarity.

Here are a Few More Things For Which I am Grateful:

Hiking Trails
The Sun
My Giant, Goofy Dog
Tall Grasses in Winter
Spring Peepers
Community in Its New and Various Forms
Winter Hiking Layers
Blankets
Wool Socks
Sunday Blog Posts From Aruni
Poetry
Long Phone Calls with My Daughter, Because We Both Have Time to Talk
The Big Tree
Coffee
Sweet Potatoes
Good Chocolate
New Friends

And Presence. I’m grateful for the practice of Presence, knowing that when I lose myself I will notice, and call myself back home. I have never been more grateful.

Jai Bhagwan,
Susan

About The Author

Susan Mathis, M.Ed., E-RYT 500, RCYT, YACEP

Susan is deeply committed to the practice of yoga, pranayama, and conscious living. A Professional Level, Kripalu Yoga Teacher, she offers steady guidance, practical knowledge and infuses the deep wisdom of yoga philosophy into her teaching. A lover of the natural world, adventure, and travel, Susan engages with nature through hiking, biking, and scuba diving. She is the owner and director of alleyCat Yoga and Yoga to Grow.