The luckiest cell

One of my favorite things that Vanessa, a yoga teacher of mine, says is "You are here because you CAN be here." Upon first listen, I was underwhelmed. Of course I can be here. Obviously. I'm here. And I'm uncomfortable in this position, and this pithy statement of yours is doing nothing to ease my discomfort OR shed enlightenment leading to some new understanding of my discomfort. But she stuck with it. Class after class. And I think it's becoming one of my new favorite statements.

Because the truth of it is that we CAN be here... in yoga... in life... and we are lucky for it. Whatever formation of cells came into being became us, the luckiest cell(s), and now we have evolved to a level of consciousness that is physical, mental, spiritual, with possibilities of enlightenment, happiness, sorrow, and suffering. But we get to experience this. And what is the ratio in which we would be the cell lucky enough to get here? Or, in a simpler (and perhaps more of a reasonable explanation in these circumstances) way, our bodies have afforded us movement which is beautiful and our minds have cultivated ways to stimulate itself. In the best way possible, we CAN be in class because we are terribly, terribly lucky. 

It just translates to life so wonderfully. I was folding laundry today, not exactly loving it, and I reminded myself that I am folding laundry because I CAN, because not only do I have the physical agility to help myself and others, but I also can afford lovely clothes which I CAN buy, wear, and wash. We are not all so lucky. 

I hope that throughout my life I am able to remind myself of this in times of duress. May not be easy... but at least I have this here blog to remind me. :-)

I have certainly been lacking in posting lately. In thinking about it, I have been so deliciously wrapped up in life that I've barely had time to bear witness. Which is not to say that I've lacked a 3rd eye, or a consciousness, but I have been living very in the moment and the act of taking pictures or writing words about moments tends to take away from them for me. I may be entering a period of circumspection... we'll see.

Burning Man really did do a excellent number on me. The vitality that it has afforded has seemed open-ended. As if my brain was rewired to have untapped child-like energy. Tonight I fell asleep on the couch at 8 pm... so it might finally be running out... but I hope not. LA's two season weather is finally starting to turn, and I turn to see introspection on the horizon...