On potholes and speed humps
She* said, "The island is small, the energy you put out is the energy you’ll receive."
There were many times that this proved to be true. In June Muddy Waters spent 10 days on the island of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Every morning began with yoga under the morning sun with the soundtrack of waves, wind through the palms, roosters, birdsong, and dogs barking in the distance.
The intentional start to the day set the groundwork for our island adventures. We ATV’d around the rainforest, hiked sacred land that reminded us of a shared history and the power of a group of people, especially women, in search of freedom, visited a Baobab tree with history that is equally heartbreaking and inspiring, snorkeled for hours in search of the perfect shells, sea glass, or chaney, shopped handmade feel-good jewelry to serve as a reminder of a shared time together, set out on a sunset sail and came across two turtles mating, took a new moon kayak trip in a bioluminescent bay where the water sparkled like the stars above, swam in the bluest of waters with sea life along the reef, stepped carefully to make our way to tide pools, and watched sunsets that commanded us to pause and take it all in.
The island of St. Croix is special, not just because of the ideal weather or the clear waters, but because of the people and culture on the island. A ‘no problem’ way of living that makes you question the pace that many of us have become accustomed to made me wonder over and over again: What could this look like back home?
One thing of note was the island roads we drove daily, in the left lane, that were filled with pot holes and speed humps. A person could complain, but really, what good would it do? Instead, you swerved and slowed down and got to your destination when you got to your destination. Rushing would not get you there quicker; instead, it would likely give you a flat tire making the initial haste seem silly.
How true is that for almost everything we find ourselves complaining about or rushing for?
The speed humps and pot holes and left-lane driving became reminders to slow down.
The good morning, good evening, and good night from the locals became reminders to make eye contact and smile at a stranger.
The person at the dive shop in the afternoon was the same person who served your food that night becoming a reminder to be kind to people because you’ll most likely see them again.
The Caribbean sun and bluest waters became reminders to close your eyes and find momentary pause in the present moment.
May the month of July, bring you the reminders you need in the ways that you need them.
*The trip’s co-lead and equal part friend and mentor, Tamara Berg.
Muddy Waters’ retreats are meant to be experiences and adventures that leave imprints and connections that last a lifetime. Join us on a 2024 retreat. We’ll be traveling on a Yoga & Surf Retreat in Costa Rica in March and a retreat to explore the the beautiful landscapes and scenery of Iceland in August (moved from our original proposed dates in May for those of you who’ve shown interest). Official ‘I’m Interested’ email will be going out later in the summer for both retreats, but jump on the interested list early by clicking the links below.
I'M INTERESTED LIST FOR COSTA RICA, MARCH 2024.
I'M INTERESTED LIST FOR ICELAND, AUGUST 2024.