Today was float #90 of #90Floatsin90Days. It is a milestone achievement for me. It required planning, showing up exhausted, making it happen when it was inconvenient, staying committed, and breaking through some deeply held convictions about myself.
It has been a sublime experience, and I am grateful that I had the chutzpah to not only complete my self-appointed challenge but to share my progress. #vunerable
During a conversation with a lovely couple who had just floated, the wife said: “sometimes, you don’t realize how heavy something is until you put it down.” I was moved because of the truth of the statement. I have left many things in the cabin: fear, anger, jealousy, sadness, loss, and overwhelming emotions. Some of these things I consciously left behind, others were washed away without my even knowing it needed to happen. Somethings I didn’t completely let go of, like my grieving, but I left comforted and aware that grieving is a process, and I will be ok. I have taken from the stillness of the float much more: determination, zest, inspiration, loving feelings toward myself and others, the forgiveness of myself and others, joy, peace, and contentment. I told her that it was ironic that she shared that as I was working on the following list.
The Top 10 list of what to bring to (and leave in) the float:
1. Fears
2. Pains
3. Worries
4. Mistakes
5. Anxiety
6. Assumptions
7. Criticism
8. Judgment
9. Tension
10. Thought Pollution
I practice leaving these things in the float so that I may leave feeling a sense of renewed faith and deep centeredness.
I have had the opportunity during these few short months of being open to meet some fascinating, kind, and enthusiastic people. My favorite part of the day is seeing people glow after a float and listening to their excitement, relief, or their awe at how beautifully simple #floating is. It makes my heart sing.
A highlight for me was when my 83, very soon to be 84, year-old mother floated. That was fun. She didn’t ‘love it,’ but she did like it, and I was sure impressed by her willingness to try something new! She is still #teachingme about how to live. I suppose a mother’s work is never done!
I have to share a story about my mother-in-law, Judy. When we first decided to go for it and open a float spa, we talked about it with her. I can still see her giggling like a schoolgirl. She thought the whole idea was humorous and said that her parents would find it funny that people were going to pay us to ‘take a bath.’ She was in full-blown Alzheimer’s, so she couldn’t really grasp the concept, no matter how hard we tried to explain it, so we learned to have some fun with her about it.
I am going to change my floating from the daily floating to twice a week. I am hopeful this maintains the same level of pain relief I have been experiencing. Time will tell, and I will keep you posted. In the meantime, I will still be doing my yoga in the #InfraredSauna every morning. I have to admit I am excited about getting an extra hour of sleep a few days a week!
Thank you for letting me share my journey with you.