Fulfillment
Note: This post was originally posted on my old website in January 2021. I think the ideas still apply to today & during this season. I hope you find benefit!
What images come to mind when you see this word? On a scale of 1 to 10, how "fulfilled" would you say you are feeling today? No judgment, just the first thoughts that come to your mind …
Last week Jim, I & our boys took an opportunity to get away to a little cabin in the woods. Literally like 20 minutes from our house … yet we felt worlds away from our day-to-day. Our days were "filled" with morning meditation, reads, breakfast & hot beverages ... snacks & late morning walks with the dogs ... maybe a workout or yoga ... late lunch, making a fire, naps & more reading ... maybe another walk with the dogs ... dinner, stoking the fire, & more reading (maybe a beer for Jim & a little HGTV for me ;) ).
After 7 days of this packed schedule, we drove back the 20 minutes to our house feeling pretty fulfilled.
I realized over & over this week that fulfillment is so readily available & terribly elusive at the same time. At least for me. I can get pretty down about what I don't have, who I'm not, where I'm lacking. & I can also find such fulfillment & completeness in the simple experience of nature (we watched 2 deer meander along the hillside across from our cabin one evening), a delicious meal (Jim always cooks delicious meals!), & the devotion of Baxter & Tortilla.
I also realize I'm privileged to have the ability, the resources & the support (thank you to my employer, 4-H ... thank you to our friends, Sue & Bob, for the cabin ... thank you to Jim's employer, St. Peter's, for granting vacation time ...) to get away for a bit, to take a reprieve, to refill & rejuvenate. How much better, kinder, & simply more healthy our communities would be if we granted each other time away from it all.
What does "fulfillment" look like for you? It may be similar or quite different from what I described above -- I know some folks would tear their hair out sitting in a cabin for a week of quiet, haha! & that's perfectly legit! My point is to reflect on what fills you up ... & find little or big ways to make it happen.
"We need what you got," says artist Jesse Peterson of Let's Make Art. The world needs your kindness, your full presence, your gifts, your light. So do what you need to do to replenish & rejuvenate ... even if it's one mindful breath in your closet away from the madness.
...
Back in October, I listened to senior teacher Judy Moulton of The Himalayan Institute speak on fulfillment & freedom. Take a listen & let me know what you think ... how could Judy's reflection on fulfillment inform your yoga practice?