It had been a long time since MindBodyBrew went “off the grid” (the “grid” being NYC and my office, in this case) so I spent the last few days in the Adirondacks with close friends at their home on Lake Champlain. I always enjoy the change in my routine that naturally occurs there. Instead of racing to my computer upon waking, I am greeted by a sweet dog and a 3-year old smiling face framed by blonde curls who happily calls my name, or this time around presents me with a beautiful Valentine handmade with love. How wonderful is it to greet the day with your own personal fan club? My kitchen savvy friends brew up a mean cappuccino with proper foam and a home-baked slice of orange bread or special French toast. Then it is time to discuss our activities for the day. Shall it be a hike or cross-country skiing or a visit to the farm? Puzzles or books or drawing? Over the course of a few days, we do it all! Going to pick up the farm share at Essex Farm is an integral part of the week that I always enjoy. Farm-to-table for real!
Life meets living. Living is life.
Time seems to stand still when I am there. Even my mandatory workload seems enjoyable in the midst of enjoying natural surroundings and outdoor excursions. I am alert. I sleep well. I eat well. Even though the decompression effects from the city can be difficult to experience, I sense my inner balance recalibrating.
On this recent visit, I took a quiet walk on my own in the deep woods for winter reflection. The conditions were perfect. A blanket of snow had just fallen and it was not too cold for a walk. After following the trail for a bit, I dusted off the end of a friendly tree trunk and sat for a meditation. Swirling wind tunes made their way to me through the trees and every swirl tucked me into a simple, clear focus. Many life-changing revelations came to me on this particular walk, which I will take away for further investigation. But one question came up over and over again – a question I thought might be interesting to pose to our readers.
I may know what my life is right now but how have I been living it?
“Living” is in the present. “Life” is a timeline from past to future. “Living” allows room for being. One’s “life” can only come about by doing. “Life” is just a word but “living” is a verb of action.
This ADK-Style souvenir will have to come home with me. Do you have any thoughts on these two words? What do they mean to you? How are they different?
-TaraMarie
*This blog post was made possible by my wonderful friends, especially my young Valentine, Felix, and the chickens he visits at Essex Farm. Thank you for showing me a little more about living ADK-style!"
*Photo by Miguel Coias