Perspective.
1. I am a single grain of sand on a vast beach.
My view from the raft.
The Colorado River provides water and energy to nearly 40 million people from Texas to LA.
The Grand Canyon’s intact geologic strata dates back more than 1.8 billion years, with many intervening periods of geologic history represented in its cliffs and slopes.
DO THIS.
Pause. Notice your surroundings. How old are the trees in your neighborhood? Observe the water you use to wash dishes. Where does it come from? Gather colorful leaves. Go outside and breathe deeply.
2. I allow my phone, sounds, and shiny objects to fragment my day and not be in the present moment.
I recognized the withdrawal symptoms from my phone and laptop on the bus ride from the hotel to the rafts. Tightness in my chest. Pain over my right eye. 16 days of no contact with the outside world. No news, no calls. No Facebook or Instagram. Pure heaven.
DO THIS.
Take a 10 minute No Distraction Break. Turn off buzzy things. Let people know you are unavailable. Go on a walk before dawn, sit in a room in your local library or an empty parking lot. Breathe deeply.
3. I don’t have control over the external world. Only how I respond to it.
The tiny speck in the rapids is one of our rafts running Lava Falls. Picture by Diana Knight.
The biggest rapids in the Grand Canyon, Lava Falls, is rated 10 on a scale of 1-10, with a 38 foot drop. The River guides huddle at the scout overlook. Furrowed brows and hushed voices. They strategize the best course to take.
I wonder how many times a day I cling to my illusion of control – over traffic, the weather, my sons, work. But not right now. I let go, take a deep breathe, and hold on for the ride of my life.
DO THIS.
Pause. Notice your internal dialog when you get stuck in traffic, or your car doesn’t start, or your child gets sick (things over which you have no control). Formally declare it outside of your control. “I consciously let go of trying to control it, whatever it is.” Identify a positive action to take.
4. I don’t need much.
I bathed in the ‘refreshing’ Colorado River, slept under a blanket of stars that covered the night sky, and drank filtered river water. Let’s get real! I missed a hot shower but it was worth every ice-cream headache I got when I rinsed my soap-filled hair in the frigid water.
DO THIS.
Write a gratitude list.
5. But I do need other people.
My new friends prepare dinner for everyone.
Rafting is a team sport. Twenty six people, most of whom I barely knew, came together. Each day we formed a line to the rafts to load and unload bags and kitchen equipment. We paddled through rapids, played bocce ball at camp, and listened to the river guide read poems about the Grand Canyon as we drifted down river. We talked and listened to each other, laughed and cried. I feel immense gratitude for each person’s gifts, talents, and beautiful light.
DO THIS.
Read your gratitude list out loud.
6. Peeing and pooping in buckets isn’t terrible.
I really appreciate modern plumbing!
Life is like the Colorado River. Sometimes it’s calm. Other times we go through rapids, get wet, cold, and occasionally tossed out of the raft.
I was perfectly safe in each moment as I stayed present and trusted the Universe.