Episode 3 Adventures with Charity JOY
How do you connect to nature? At one point in my life I heard this phrase, “ nature doesn’t judge”, and it resonated so deep with me. You can be anyone and nature will just allow you to be just that. Imagine if you allowed yourself to totally be yourself without judgments? What would that feel like, look like and be like?
Heading east to Pennsylania to see my sister and friends was a quick 8 hour drive. Arriving into Pittsburgh, a city, I felt a bit contracted. It really made me realize that nature is really the only place where I feel absolutely free. One night in the city and next day we are headed to Cook Forest State Park to camp out and be with these amazing trees, waterfalls, and rivers.
On the morning of our departure, my sister, Olivia and I, took a roller-skate around the campground. We ran in to a little 1.5 year old young boy, who was totally intrigued with our skates. For a good 15-20 minutes he stood there super excited and amazed at these two women on roller-skates around him. I just stepped into his reality, that beautiful wonderment of something so exciting that you can’t move your attention to anything else except on that moment. When is the last time you have had a moment like that, tapping into the inner child of total fascination.
There’s just something about cooking your food over the fire, basking in the river and breathing in this magical air that has me feeling so free. It was a short trip with my younger sister, Olivia and friends, yet so fulfilling.
Back in Pittsubrgh the morning that I’m heading out, Olivia and I went for a little walk. The walk turned into running into an impromptu Zumba class at the park. We joined, and ended up staying for the whole thing. What joy it is to just dance, dance, dance. Even if its in flip flops.
Next leg of my journey was an 8 hour drive to Bridgehampton, Long Island. My old stomping gounds. Driving through New York City was never my favorite, but for some reason this time, was full of ease even if there was traffic. As I arrived in the Hamptons, I felt the nostalgia seep into my being. the sun was setting into a perfectly beautiful evening to meet friends at the ocean.
Reconnecting with old friends and clients was filling me up everyday. Even though I was to stay just less than a week my days became very busy. I got hired to help out at Hampton Racquet for their tennis kids camp. I introduced drumming, singing, yoga, and some flash tattoos to the kiddos. I took long walks at the ocean, practiced Kalaripayttu (Indian martial art), made delicious food with my friends Alex and Noah in the springs, East Hampton, ran access consciousness bars and tried out some new classes. New York Pilates and YSR 12 Yoga.
With a new moon on the calendar I invited my friends to join me with a fire and short intention setting ritual. When the fire is lit, the words just flow about life and what’s important to us.
A quick visit to my older farmer friends Dale and Bette, in Sag Harbor, loaded with fresh organic veggies I made a shift to work time. Massage clients, facilitating gentle yoga class at Ananda yoga in Southampton, booked out for private yoga and mobility classes the next few days were jamming.
Ferry Ride Across the Sound to Connecticut, on my way to Vermont
What is it about getting on a ferry that feels a little like time travel of sorts? Sitting on the top deck, writing and taking in the sparkling waters around me, I breathe in and out ready for the next adventure on my path.
Disembarking from the ferry, heading straight north into the Green Mountains of Vermont. I could feel my whole being shift into this different energy. Ocean to mountains. I meet one of my new roommates at the farm house at Milldale Farm Center for Wellness, Christie, from Arkansas. I’m here to share my knowledge and wisdom not just to the We R Hope retreat kids, but I have a feeling to all who come into my path.
Click link to see our hike together to Bald Top
Gathering with old friends, the stewards of the farm land, for dinner, I shared my meal blessing and we caught up on life’s journey. A perfect moment at the sunset spot overlooking farm was magical and so nurturing. AHHHH Sigh, how did I get so lucky?
Connecting with the horses at Open Acres Ranch is always so heart felt. Last fall I hosted An Equine and Unwind Retreat here and everyone went deep with the horses to unleash what they needed to heal. Even before I stepped into the field with them to connect, I felt it. Such aware and beautiful animals, that allow you to be completely you without any judgements.
For the next two weeks I was immersed in being with the children for the mental wellness retreat. Uplifting them through connection to horses and themselves. A time to plunge deeply into nature and the beauty that life can be and is.
On my free Sunday I took an extra adventure to Camp Hump Mountain to hike. I did not realize this was one of the tallest peaks in Vermont, 4.083 feet, until I arrived to the summit. Sometime jumping in without knowing what you are in for is the best way. If I had known I was going to be hiking over 7 miles before I may have planned differently. When we plan though it doesn’t always work out that way. Being open to the possibilities of exploring this fairy forest, and steep rock climbs was totally Magic!
See you all on the next peak of adventure. Thanks for Reading and feel free to reach out @ charityjoymovement@gmail.com or IG: charityjoymovement