My 2022 Playlist

If I had to pick three songs that sum up what 2022 has been like so far, here is what I would say: 

Both Sides Now  

I'm Still Standing  

Only a River 

Both Sides Now shows how I have matured. I used to be a lot more black and white and with more and more life experiences I see that when you look at both sides it is a lot easier to have empathy and see that everyone is doing the best they can. 

 I'm Still Standing is how I feel after this summer- it was one thing after another but I'm still standing and trying to see how challenging times help us grow. 

Only a River reminds me how healing nature is for us. Whenever I get out I always realize it is just what I need. I love the mountains but I also love the river- to me it is truly in the moment because the moment of a river is always there for that second never to be the same before or after. I love the sound and the view and the smell and the feel. The only sense that is not engaged is taste- although I usually am eating at the river also. It is just such a healing space for me.

Go with the Flow

Usually summer vacation means lots of down time to catch up and restore. But the summer of 2022 is not turning out that way. My summer began with a three week road trip out east to catch up with friends and family, especially my mom. The first week was great- lots of laughs with Justin, a fun stop in Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio and getting to catch up with many friends while in NJ. But then things got challenging. We picked up Owen after a horrific 22 "direct" flight from Denver whihc then turned into a diversion to Cincinatti. Then we drove to Binghamton to get my mom and head to Vermont to see my cousin. The first 24 hours were fantastic and I was so happy to be with family. Then Owen tested positive with Covid and we quickly sent my mom off to stay at my sister's while we (hopefully) isolated and waited to be reunited. But then 5 days later Justin tested positive so we started the long drive home. As soon as we got home I tested positive. So pretty much the whole month of June was spent with a slow burn of covid. But we tried to regroup and figure out how to find tme for a re-do. In the meantime a job came up for me to work with an adventure travel company in Yosemite National Park. I always like to try new experiences so I decided to dive in and give this a try. It was an intense learning curve and a tremendous amount of hard work but the guests were fabulous and I enjoyed the experience. I was also happy to earn a little extra money to plan a return trip to NJ. But while Justin was waiting in the cell phone lot for my delayed flight our new car was totalled by a hit and run U-Hual truck. So much for earning a little extra money. (In case you do not already know- this is not the time to buy a car. We looked into it in May and cars are selling $5000 over sticker price with a 6-12 month wait.) So I can say I know the universerse is trying to tell me something but I am not sure yet what it is... In the meantime Justin is off to work a job in Glacier National Park and I am going to stick close to home- hoping to finally get my first hike of the summer in! Hiking always clears my head and helps me get perspective so hopefully that will happen this week.