Continuing to say yes

This morning I awoke a little before six to have time for a leisurely wake and bike ride to the seven-o'clock yoga class at my favorite yoga place. Participating in these early classes has a way of smoothing out the rest of my day, so I try to get them when I can. It can be difficult some mornings, when it's cold, rainy, dark and otherwise unfavorable outside — a climate I've never cared for and something that has me thinking about relocation at some point in the future, particularly after last year's smorgasbord of sunny locales visited in my travels.

However, when the weather is as nice as it's been lately ((70s! Sunshine!)) and spring is in full-force every part of that ritual is a joy. Sunrises have always seemed more rare and precious than sunsets. Everything is a little bit backwards about them; the shadows are reversed, the cool, lingering, evening air is slowly being warmed. The air smells and tastes different, and right now, with all the things in bloom it smells and tastes sweet. I probably would've been happy even if I hadn't gone to yoga and simply biked around the first couple hours of the day.

But I did go, and I was glad. I glad I said yes. This year has been a practice in saying yes, doing my best to nurture and maintain the earnestness that accompanies extended travel and incorporate it into a lifestyle.

Today begins with a sunrise, a bike ride and yoga, followed by a healthy amount of work and evening meet-up with likeminded, long-term travelers at a local bar, to swap stories and tips. Tomorrow brings more music, both in practicing with my duo for an upcoming performance and attending a concert in the evening ((Sarod, sax and tabla. Have I mentioned yet how much I like Indian music?)). Some of the same on Sunday, more yoga, then at least two new people to meet in the following week for work matters, an bicycle-based project and an ongoing collaboration with a friend of mine to improve upon Scrabble.

Continuing to say yes to things is exhausting and is not always without cost, but it's proving to be infinitely rewarding.