Every Amazing Adventure Begins with a Fond Farewell

Up until a few weeks ago, I always considered farewells and goodbyes to be equivalent. But in the past few days, I have been wished farewell by so many friends and family and loved ones, it makes my heart overflow with gratitude for the blessed life that I have.

Now as I sit on the brink of this adventure, perched on a stool overlooking the tarmac at JFK International Airport, waiting for my flight to Delhi, India, I can’t help to reflect on all the beautiful people who have been part of this journey.

I recall nearly two years ago when I first told my yoga teacher Shawna about this pie-in-the-sky idea I had to travel to India and Asia in the Year of the Tiger. It was the first drum beat in a rhythm that has grown stronger and more compelling as each day passed.

I devoted myself more fully to my daily yoga practice and began learning Hindi. I discovered some amazing Vedic texts and readings with the help of my friend Brian and wandered out to Costa Rica, just to make sure the traveler’s spirit was still strong within my soul.

I tended to all the domestic affairs and did my best to help my work colleagues to prepare for my departure. I have kept my program close, because I know no matter how far I travel, I take myself with me, and that is not always a good thing.

We need others in our lives to help us flourish and be our best selves. Although I have realized this for some time now, the past few weeks and especially this past weekend, has solidified this truth for me.

I have experienced so many fantastic surprises and expressions of love in the past few weeks.

From the special cake at the pool party my friends hosted at Indian Lake to the carry-in meal my fellow techs at Aunalytics hosted on my final day on the job, it has all been so amazing.

My final yoga classes at both Collective Culture and Homegrown and the going away party at Teresa and Randy’s house that brought them both together – with a touch of tension that could have been a storyline from an episode of Cobra Kai.

I remember when Shawna first told me about it; I said, “I don’t have any friends that do yoga.”

That was obviously not true. Six yoga teachers from two different shalas in one small town gathered together for the occasion. It was very humbling, indeed.

And my new friends, the Rainbow person Kendra and Ashtanga teacher Joanie, who have taken time out of their lives to help a fellow seeker prepare for the journey.

And last, but certainly not least, are my incredible parents, super siblings and a pack of unruly dogs who have supported me in countless ways on this journey. Without their love and support, I cannot imagine how my life may have turned out. It has certainly been an amazing adventure to this point.

What I see is that this farewell is not an end, nor is it a beginning, but a continuation of the path we all walk. You bid me fare well on my journey to India. I bid you fare well as your own adventure continues – as our children grow into adults and make us grandparents, as we find suffering souls to reach out and show compassion, as we learn new asanas and kriyas to share in our shalas, as we grow into better human beings with each experience we encounter.

I love you all and I bid you farewell in all you do.