I spent 10 days in Colorado hiking, seeing old friends, and saying goodbye to my daughter who moved to Colorado Springs. The hubs and I tackled 2800 miles in our car 10 days. Whew.

When you set off on a trip, many people offer their opinion of the "right" way to go. You drove through Iowa and Nebraska? Apparently, Kansas is more scenic?!?! Regardless, there are many ways to move forward. Similarly when we think about the trajectory of our lives, relationships, or careers, we have an inherent bias of how we think the road map goes.... school, college, internship, job, grad school, marriage, family, etc.

My kids are in their 20's and therefore I am having conversations with other parents of similar age kids. Conversations about not only the path of their education and career, but their comfort level with themselves, their relationships, and their path in life ALL complicated by a global pandemic. Not so long ago I had never even heard of a gap year after high school, and before last year many of us had not fully realized how much freedom working remotely could afford a person. The possibilities are endless…living in the Pacific Northwest and monitoring whales, or taking the summer to design and build a cabin in the woods in Western Colorado. I am so inspired by the different paths people are pursuing and not just the younger generation either. Many people have been forced to re-evaluate how they wish to live and analyze their priorities leading to cross country moves, starting new careers, or heading back to school.

Poet Robert Frost of course is credited with the phrase “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by.” I have my mother to thank for setting an example of how to explore. If “lost” she never turns around…. never. When hungry and exiting the highway, never eat at the rest stop. Always go a few miles into town and see what you find. She is the Master of the scenic route. When we challenge ourselves to explore, we flex the muscle in our brain that allows us to be creative, problem solve, and it builds confidence.

One of my favorite things about the practice of yoga is that is so malleable. You start where you are. Allow the practice to be intense and powerful, or soft and stretchy. There are many paths. No one person’s experience is the same. To get stuck in doing things one way is limiting, whereas the practice of yoga (and LIFE) is limitless. Sure, yoga in its physical form allows us to stretch our hamstrings, but what it is really stretching if our mind. I invite you as always to come and explore the many ways to navigate, both physically and mentally.

And of course All Roads lead to Rome.....

We have two rooms left for our September 4th - 9th retreat to Italy. While the retreat is nestled in the hills of Umbria, we fly in and out of Rome and I will encourage you to tag on some days before or after to explore. One of my favorite travel adventures ever was in Rome, watching the city come alive at sunrise. Click HERE to check out the retreat.

xoxo

JK