Finding Balance in Connection

Along this journey, I knew there’d be a time in a specific place where I’d want to disconnect from communication technologies completely. Before getting to Rishikesh, I decided that this would be the place I temporarily cut regular communication with family, friends, and interaction with the Internet, social media, and mass media all together. Today was the first time, after a week of not engaging with any of that, that I thought it might be in my best interest to find a balance of sharing my thoughts and experiences, whilst not spending time checking what’s going on in the lives of others. Gasp. Selfish, I know.

I was heading to the medical center today while bouncing around on the back of a scooter, fighting the pain that brushing my teeth with the Indian water has caused my abdominal area. At the doctor’s office, I had another first time—experiencing the health care and medical protocol in another country. It’s amazing the thoughts and emotions your observations can stir within you.

Swerving left and right with traffic while racing past the jewelry and yoga shops, shaded by the forest trees, the yoga center manager who took me by bike to the doctor asked if I had any social sites. I replied yes of course but that I wasn’t using them at the moment. He asked, “Well, why?”

Why? I thought. Well so many reasons. To better immerse myself in, and connect with my surroundings, better get to know myself, focus on my practice and the various aspects of yoga, and also to meet the other yogis and learn about their spiritual journey and the trials they’ve faced along the way. Having temptations or any distraction from these things is the last thing I want. I’m in the heart of the city where yoga was born, why should I spend even a minute scrolling through pages of posts and photos that don’t need my attention or require my involvement.

“You know, if you have something to say, you should post it. Many people can benefit from you sharing your experiences and the knowledge you’ve gained from them,” the manager told me.

That’s when I started to think. I do tend to keep things to myself after while of holding them in for some time. I’ve been reflecting on what I’ve seen, how I’ve felt, the cultural experiences that continue to wake me up a little each time I’m confronted with one. I know if I don’t share them now, I may never. Maybe I would, but they wouldn’t be delivered in the way I want people to receive them—with passion and rawness. I try to portray and describe the authentic emotions and incidents I get to have while traveling because I feel that people benefit most from that, rather than overinflated blog posts that don’t include the not-so-smooth happenings with the great. In the end, those days you struggle getting accustomed to where you’re at end up being the key events that colorfully illustrate the depth of your journeys—journeys that begin to characterize the rich, fearlessness evolvement of your life and your story.

But enough of this…

A quick update:

- I may have a bacterial infection in my stomach that’s been happening for a week.

- The bathroom in the doctor’s office today was a hole in the ground with no toilet paper or bidet.

- Watched a woman crash next to me on her scooter.

- I haven’t had a sip of alcohol for two weeks.

- Had my class notes eaten from my hand by a cow while I was studying along the Ganga river. I shared my orange after in thanks for making my day. How could you not smile and show some love?

- I’ve already stepped in cow shit twice and it’s only been a week. 

- Fed a wild monkey part of my chapati (Indian tortilla) because I was completely star struck my first time seeing one in the wild and being so close to it. Next thing I know, 15 monkeys are swarming me.

- A youth cow confidently approached me looking sweet as ever, in need of a good head scratch maybe, and in fact just wanted to ram me with its horns.

- I’ve been asked to be in multiple selfies with India’s natives.

- I’m almost out of money.

- I spent 65 minutes tonight washing my clothes in a bucket of water on the bathroom floor with a bar of detergent soap.

- I’m still without my luggage.

- My hair is starting to dread.

These have been some of the usually, unseen and unheard of, experiences in a foreign country. With that being said, I think everyone could benefit from seeing the way the people here live. It’s inspiring seeing their lives and then the smiles on their faces.

On the flip:

- I get to practice yoga twice a day, study anatomy and philosophy, learn sequencing and lesson planning, and meditate an hour a day.

- We have class on the fourth floor rooftop when were lucky, while monkeys play in the trees below.

- Our view is the most electric blue-green river you’ve ever seen, curving its way through mountains and the colorfully painted little town.

- Three home cooked meals are graciously prepared each day for us.

- The teachers care more about you then most of your friends at home.

- I got lucky to have a small training group of all women from around the world.

- Legit tree house cafes exist here.

- I’ve never felt more alive.

I’m excited to share more with you guys soon.

For now, be well.

Hailey

P.S. Don’t be afraid to share what’s on your mind. If there’s one thing I’ve learned through traveling and meeting people it’s being open. Say how you feel, talk about whatever the hell you want, tell people you love them, be honest and let your guard down, and please, notice the liberation that comes with connecting to people and yourself this way. These moments may be fleeting but within you they can live abundantly forever.