It’s becoming harder to find a place free of distraction to collect my thoughts. And yet it is here: 30,000 feet above sea level, flying through the cloud sphere, toward my latest travel destination. The cabin is quiet and subdued, a blue glow lights the aisle. There’s a welcome peacefulness in the dark making it the perfect space to think. (My Bose noise canceling headphones also help.)
After months of planning, Burning Man is finally here. I’m filled with excitement to push myself beyond my comfort zones, to immerse myself in the week-long creative centrifuge that is Burning Man. The potentiality of the experience has been equally daunting and overwhelming, especially when you consider the magnanimous effort that is required by each person in attendance. It is not merely a camping trip but an architectural feat: building an amalgamation of homesteads and creating a city that exists in its entirety only to be razed ten days later. Many metaphors come to mind, a reverse creation story is the most prominent. It certainly gives pause to how we live in the ‘default world‘–the moniker Burners refer to the world as we know it while they are on the playa.
In preparation for my time in the desert, I’ve found myself leaning into my yoga practice to contemplate the purposeful intention of this journey. And it’s almost too much, the thinking, so much so that I felt compelled to book an acupuncture session with Dr. Wu. I first met him in 2015 when his treatments eliminated the mind-crushing migraines that plagued most of my adult life. I can’t tell if he actually remembers me by face or name, but we’ve built a rapport nonetheless. An intuitive, he takes the time at the close of each session to remind me how strong I am, how strong I could be if only I could think less and live more. It’s been a recurring lesson this year: learning to love, let go and live in the present moment.
When I think back to my younger, shyer self, I don’t think she would have ever imagined that we could be this brave and adventurous. And so I set an intention to take this creative leap of faith for her, and for me.
modern vintage ink 