Reality

Lakeview at Fontana, Bryson City, NC. Three hours from Charlotte.

I will be the first to admit that what constitutes a vacation for me may not be what constitutes a vacation for you. Which is why it's best for me to travel alone. I very rarely come across folks who enjoy just going away to chill. I realized that again on the first morning of my trip when I was having a conversation with another guest at breakfast. He told me that he and his group (of 12) were going white water rafting and he asked me what I had planned. I smiled and said "Nothing." He looked at me like I was from another planet. "I'm taking a yoga class at 9:00, then I'm getting a body scrub, maybe I'll sit by the pool ... take a nap," I continued, trying to fill the empty air space. "I just need to relax," I concluded.

This was undoubtedly one of the best trips I have ever taken. I thought last year at the beach house was cool, and it was, but this was just awesome.

I woke up each morning to a beautiful breakfast of fresh fruit, yogurt, cream puffs with chocolate espresso sauce (OMG!) and green tea. Afterward, I went up the hill and took a relaxing yoga class to start my day. This class was nowhere near as intense as the hot (warm) classes that I take here. This class focused more on meditation and focusing inward. It helped to clear my head and keep me focused for the rest of the day. This is a practice that I plan to keep up here at home.

On Sunday I was treated to a lunch of spinach quiche, green salad and fresh fruit. Delicious. Dinner is not provided on the property so I traveled ten minutes away to a restaurant called Thirteen Moons and I had grouper prepared with red and green peppers and topped with parmesan and mozzarella cheese, sauteed spinach and sweet potato casserole. I sat outside and just enjoyed the view of the smokey mountains.

I had time to finish the two books that I brought with me and I learned how to fall asleep (early) without having to listen to the television. Because there was no television. Oh, and each night between 6-7 wine and cheese and other snacks were provided in the coffeehouse.

It was wonderful. Just wonderful. When I was on my way home yesterday in the back of my mind I was thinking, "Oh well, back to reality." I was kind of sad. But once I got home I really wasn't ready to let go of the peaceful, easy feelings that I so easily embraced in Bryson City. Then it dawned on me: I have the power to create my reality.

Peace can be my reality. I'm telling you it is so much better than the alternative. For months, I was praying for peace. I have the power to create peace in my life. I'm rolling my eyes right now because ... duh! Why do I have to make things so difficult? (Peace, I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, John 14:27)

I'm off for the rest of the week. This morning I woke up early and put my yoga mat on the floor in my bedroom facing the sun and I meditated and did my stretching. Then I did something that I haven't done in years ... I went next door to the school and jogged/walked around that track. My son came with me. He jogged two miles and I did one and a quarter. Outside cardio is way better than the treadmill. Why didn't ya'll tell me? I jogged a lap, walked a lap, jogged a lap, walked a lap, jogged half a lap and walked half a lap.

It's not even 11:00 am and I've made breakfast, cleaned the kitchen, folded a load of laundry, and I have one in the dryer and one in the washer. I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things.

And I just got off the phone with the insurance company. We've reached a settlement on my stolen vehicle. Their offer was more than fair. More than what I was expecting and I couldn't be happier.

Life is good. Don't let anyone tell you that it isn't.