Gratitude: Train Spotting

Train passing near the American River Parkway trail

Taking a late afternoon bike ride along the American River, a practice in itself, I heard the whistle of an approaching train. For three months I've passed under these rail road tracks but have never seen a train. I realized today was my lucky day, but I had to move quickly to get to the vantage point for viewing. 

Back in November I was up on the raised train tracks and met a trainspotter who was on his lunch break from Costco located nearby. He timed his breaks so that he could watch trains ramble past as he clocked their travel on his walkie talkie. Hearing the train reminded me of him and the romantic notion of trainspotting. 

Today I am grateful that I was the trainspotter. The sound of the roaring engine and the shaking of the earth put me in an energy frenzy. I would not miss this opportunity to see the train up close. I scrambled up the bank with my bike and was able to hear the roar and experience the rumble. Plus, I was close enough to feel the wind of the train as it passed my spot. With all these feelings I cried tears of gratitude as I waved hello to the engineer and dozens of cars later waved goodbye to the caboose. Each train tells a story and I could imagine the journey of these now-empty cars which at some point were filled with materials. Or, were they on their way to be filled?

Caboose and cars empty on their return journey.

Gratitude: Backyard Views From the Levees

I begin this year with a practice of expressing gratitude each day. 

Day 1 is walking along the American River Parkway. Portions of the river are lined by levees on top of which are wide gravelly pathways for meandering and biking. I am grateful for living in a community that is open to sharing the beauty of their backyard menageries.

2021 The Year of Mindful Reset

Waterside Menagerie at American River Parkway

At the conclusion of each year I set an intention for the next. My 2021 intention is an alliteration: 

Calm, Kind, Courage, Confident

I embody these words as touch points in a physical, emotional, and spiritual practice. 

Calm - opening the respiratory diaphragm by releasing any tension in my lungs and belly, for a full breath and deep respiration.

Kindness - noticing the wrapping of my ribs and muscles around my torso for a constant self-hug supporting me from inside and out.

Courage - finding the connection between my left shoulder and right hip, right shoulder and left hip, crossing through my sternum for an open heart center and energy shield. 

Confidence - linking my full spine, starting by sensing the drop of my tail bone - coccyx to the sacrum, as I lengthen my spine from its bottom point up through the lumbar, thoracic and cervical sections of the spine, to the occiput at the base of my skull for interconnection from ground to sky.

This is a mindful reset I will use when meditating, moving in my practice and throughout the day.