When we went to Rome during our vacation, it was a whirlwind. We walked about 10-15 miles each day– amidst large crowds, relentless heat, lack of regular meals & hydration, frustration around where the water closets (restrooms) were — and yes, disagreements about navigation. For those of you who know me well, geography and navigation is a weakness. However, I still believe that I know where to go. Add all of those other ingredients above, and we had a few moments along the way which tested our patience with each other.
On the heels of our Roman adventure (which was short-lived– 2 days), we got up at 5am to catch a bus to Pompeii. I’m going to say this sounded like a perfect plan, until you are in it (who really wants to get up at 5 am on vacation?!). We are herded onto to the bus and from there it appeared that the next few hours would be perfect time to rest and nap.
In order to break up the hours’ long bus trip, the tour company makes several stops along the way. The first was to a rest stop— in the middle of nowhere. I’m going to say that I had lots of pre-conceived notions about the quality of what we would find at a rest stop (using the US as a barometer is not such a good idea). It was the best cappuccino I had the entire trip. And I also had an amazing veggie panini. I noticed almost everywhere along our trip is that there is pride in how things are done. Convenience does not mean half-arsed — like it can here. It means do your best work because the way you do anything is the way to do everything . . .
Ok, back to this bus trip. We get back on the bus and start to settle in. I put on an amazing playlist of reflective music and start to go inward. And about 30 minutes later, we take an exit and start to head back to where we had just been. I look at Kerry. He tells me that there’s another bus that broke down and we need to go back to pick them up.
In a previous life of mine, I would have been the unhappiest person on the bus. I would have wondered why this happened, to me?! And I probably would have let it affect the entire remainder of the day. In this case, I shrugged and felt grateful we could help these other tourists out. And hoped that if I had been in a similar predicament this would have happened for me too.
Now, instead of having lots of extra room and seats to spread out, we are pretty much crammed into the bus. That didn’t bother me either. And so I return to my music and get lost in a meandering meditation of our trip so far. About an hour later, I notice that all of the tour guides are standing behind me. I again take my headphones off and ask Kerry what’s is going on?
He tells me that this woman has been yelling for the last hour. Demanding to get off the bus and put on a taxi. She is irate. Again, I ask — why? She doesn’t like the fact that the people in front of her are reclining. Wow– this is a heated, passionate energy she is expending.
I had no idea this yelling match was happening almost beside me. My vibration had been on a completely different plane. Something had shifted for me — even before the trip began. I somehow knew that the way I used to react to things happening differently than I expected was loosening it’s grip on me. I think I read somewhere once that stress is the feeling we get when we are unhappy with what is (vs. what we want it to be). All of my practice — which has been in small nudges– had suddenly added up to a larger change. Wow.
So, I ask you. What does your energy plane look like, feel like, sound like? If you want to adjust your vibration, start slowly. Notice and observe. Get curious and ask questions. For me, it’s not a perfect linear result (see above my Roman frustrations).
Yes, this first nudge can be a catalyst for bigger change.
Are you reacting to what you want something to be versus how it is? How can you be open to what is happening and release the expectation of what you imagined? You may find you lose touch with some of the energy at the lower vibrations — and that’s ok. I didn’t need to be a part of that woman’s reaction and I’m sure you wouldn’t have wanted to either (it continued for many more hours until we arrived in Sorrento).
I’d love to hear your thoughts below in the comments.