The best we can

There is something precious about living in community. I get to see everyone everyday. On good days and bad days. In roles they love and roles they hate. And I recognize how I can be enthusiastic and grumpy and goal-oriented and playful and lazy and eager too. I try to learn from all parts they mirror. What aspects of myself do I want to strengthen, what parts of me have served their goal? Sometimes it’s hard. Fortunately there is something called “laughter”.

After the fire we laugh a lot. There is lightness combined with care. We ask each other how we are, and take time to truly listen. We meet in sharing circles with the whole community, and are being updated about the latest news: It took 48 hours for the fire to be out; the fire chief is inspecting the temple; Swami Lalitananda is being interviewed… We have satsangs outside and inside, sharing inspirational stories. Despite the sadness many people feel, there is also a sense of adventure, paired with gratitude. We are all still here. What will be next?

The ashram is quickly heading into the busiest time at the ashram: Summer. After the Strawberry Social kick off, we will be flooded with courses and retreat guests and visitors from outside roaming the grounds, not to mention family week: 80 guests extra  for 5 days, of whom 40 kids. We don’t have a lot of people to do the work. But instead of going into panic mode, the ashram does what it does best: Taking care of people. Without the people, the work wouldn’t be done in the first place.

So for two weeks, we work 6 hours a day instead of our normal 8. While many opt for sleep, exhausted as they are, I have some good talks with people I love, play music, read books, go for walks, and even enjoy a sundrenched swim with the girls. The garden is overflowing with weeds, the toilets are getting dirty, dustbunnies are discovering the yogarooms, and we learn to thrive in new and unforeseen ways. We simply do what we always do: The best we can.     

Beach Dinner

Prepping Strawberries

Strawberry Servers

Face painter extra-ordinaire