“I want to see the world!!” These were the words my daughter eagerly expressed, as she widened her curious eyes at me. The corner of her lips raised causing her cheeks to wrinkle from a smile that could not be restrained through all the excitement. She turned her eyes to the oval window behind me, and as she watched the airplane descend to ground, I could hear the sound of leather rubbing beneath her bottom caused by anticipation so great, she could barely stay still in her seat.

It was apparent. She was consumed by wanderlust…

With myself as a yogi at heart and my daughter being an aspiring singer/songwriter, Wanderlust was perfect for the two of us — an all-out celebration of mindfulness, the perfect blend of yoga and music together. Yogis unpacked out of buses, cars and SUVs with their mat slung off their shoulders, and placed their baggage aside. We followed signs leading us to destinations that carried names of “The Quiet Place,” “The Uncommons,” and “The Sanctuary,” absorbing the inspiring reminders that “love is the answer” and “sky above me, earth below me, fire within me” placed amongst a floating sea of people, along the way.

I let my mat roll out…ready to experience Wanderlust. The classes felt so raw, real and inspiring. Each class and each teacher touched me in some way. I didn’t hold any specific intention of what I was looking to get out of Wanderlust, but I left uncovering a desire burning deep within that had been scared to come out from beneath a blanketed covering of protection.

It was a desire to be true to myself. Hidden inside, my true self lied deep within. She had hid herself for so long now, that I had forgotten all about her. Covering herself in a blanket of identifications that society, family and friends have — protectively — placed over her. She accepted it. For she too had her own fears. She accepted it to remain safe. At some point, somehow, it felt safer for her to accept these coverings of identifications — of incapability, of weakness, of unworthiness.

But during this celebration of mindfulness, I celebrated  my mindfulness and allowed it to expand. Past the identifications and through the layer of protection that blanketed over me, I finally heard myself, my true self — the one that stayed hidden for so long out of fear, but lovingly kept the true radiance of my being protected and safe. And I heard how much she finally wanted to see past the fear that kept her hidden, again. And I saw how her eyes lit up with curiosity and how her smile shined out from within her heart at the idea of experiencing, again. And I felt how she shook with anticipation at the thought to finally be free, again. My true self wanted to, once again, see the world! And just like my daughter, I too had become consumed by wanderlust…

She came out from the coverings of identifications that held her in safety. For she remembered her abilities, her strength, and her worthiness. The layer of protection that society, family and friends lovingly covered her with served it’s purpose. For only through this could she experience who she was not, so that she could realize who she was…

And in that very moment, she was finally set free…

With mats slung, we picked our baggage back up. The ones we carried with us in our hands, on our shoulders and within our hearts, but left to the side just for a couple days of mindful living. We hopped back onto the bus, took our seats and listened as the driver intercommed over the question, “Ready to go home, everyone?” to only hear a non-hesitant agreed reply, “Nooo…!” We shared a laugh and began our way back on the road.

And with me now, no longer hidden, I now carried that girl that I once was, — always have been and sadly just forgotten — my true self…my very best self from Wanderlust to continue on this road of life.

I found my true north.

In which ways, has society, family and friends identified you? In what ways did they love you enough to want to protect you and what were they protecting you from? What was it that they were scared of? In which ways have you allowed yourself to accept these identifications? In what ways did you love yourself enough to want to protect yourself and what were you protecting yourself from? What was it that you were scared of?

Deep Love,