When a SNAKE attempts to steal my BLISS

Up North in Michigan. Few places are as peaceful as this space on our planet. For Non-Michiganders “Up North” is really anywhere 1+ hour outside of Metro Detroit. Direction or space in the State really is inconsequential. The only way I can explain this phenomenon is Up North really refers more to a state of mind than an actual location. Yes. Up North can apply the actual Upper Peninsula, but I have perhaps embarrassingly stated I was going Up North when I actually going to Saugatuck, which is actually south west from Metro Detroit. Hey, I am not proud of my directionally challenged brain at times.

This morning, as I woke before the rest of the group, I set up my yoga mat, and spent time meditating and further developing my home yoga practice. I was challenged by the ever so slight shifting of the dock in the water. I was challenged by attempting to balance without a steadying point in my horizon. I was grounded by the sounds of nature, the enchanted by scent of the crisp morning breeze, and the calmed by the warmth of the rising sun. This is my bliss. This is the embodiment of my love for this amazing planet, and for Mother Nature.

As I ended my practice with Namaste (to Mother Earth, of course), and packed up my mat and supplies I sauntered slowly towards our friend’s Up North house where we are staying for the weekend. I feel strong, peaceful and connected to the Earth. May be too much as suddenly, my BLISS is interrupted by what clearly looked to me to be an Anaconda (world’s largest snake, though I am certain it was some harmless Up North snake)……slithering right beside me so close I almost stepped on it or him or her! I SHREAKED! My heart was pounding out of my chest!

I stood motionless for a moment (yes, I am terrified of snakes. Like TERRIFIED!) using my breathing to re-gain my calm, find my bliss only a few moments I fully embraced. As I walked up the stairs, I thought about how many times throughout our days when we are feeling grounded/connected to the Earth, the people around us, the spirituality of the world and something little happens to or around us and suddenly we are catapulted into a dramatically different space. Today, I was able to center myself quite quickly again. Was it the meditation? Was it because I am surrounded by nature? Was it because I am away from the responsibilities of my day to day? Was it because my set point was already pretty chill that I was able to just step back into that calm space because I have been practicing more and more my own ability to shift energy within?

I’m going to go with YES to all of it. But know… this is available to all of us. And know that it does not mean this is ever going to be any of our absolute constant states of being. Earlier this week, I felt dramatically differently that I do today. Perhaps my encounter with the killer ANACONDA would’ve ended very differently had I not already been doing the work beforehand. What I do know is there will always be SNAKES along our path attempting to steal our BLISS. Don’t let them. Don’t give your own emotional state over to anyone else, no matter who she/he is, no one deserves that power over us. So follow your Bliss! (And if looking for a great summer tune to get you into a happy space- Follow your Bliss by B-52s might fit the ticket this weekend!)

Wishing you all a bliss-filled weekend.

Peace…..