As I sit to write the final blog for this trip, I am waiting at JFK airport to head home to San Diego. From the moment I touched down in the U.S yesterday morning, I have been challenged to keep the peace and calm that I acquired over the past 2 weeks in Africa. As we landed, we were delayed on the runway and had to take the "scenic" route to the terminal. After 20 plus hours of flying, it was the longest and slowest 20 min taxi I have felt in a long time. After moving through customs, we found ourselves a cab to head into the city. 60 minutes of white knuckle New York cab driving later, we were in Manhattan and ready to check into our hotel. Our hotel however, was not ready for us. It was 12pm. We would not be able to check in until 3. Although we had requested an early check in, we were not able to do so. The Universe it seems, was really testing me, and sad as it makes me to say it, I was failing. 2 weeks of calm and peace, gone in an instant. I was tired, I was dirty, I was frustrated. All I wanted was a shower, but instead, we had 3 hours to spend in the humid heat of New York city.
I took a breathe, calmed myself, and my wife and I headed into the city. We grabbed some lunch, walked around, and wandered about until finally it was time to check in at 3pm.
After showering up and feeling human again, we headed out to meet some friends for dinner. It was a great time, and we even got a show of thunder and lightening as a massive storm blew in over the city. Belly full, and tired, we made our way back to the hotel and went to bed.
Jet lag found me at 5am, and I was wide awake. I called to request a late check out from the hotel, as our flight wasn't until 5:30pm. I was hoping to be able to check out around 3pm and head out for the airport. They said sure, we could have until 1pm. Really? Regular check out is 12pm. So much for a "late" check out. The tests kept coming.
Ok, not that big a deal. My wife and I decided we would treat ourselves to massages at the hotel spa while we were waiting to head out. I called to find out what our options were, and wouldn't you know it, the spa was closed for renovations. So, no massages for us.
I checked online to see that our flight was still on time, and, in case you haven't guessed by now, it's not. We are delayed an hour.
And so, as I sit here passing the time, reflecting on my journey, I realize that the true measure of any accomplishment, weather gained through vacation, meditation, or spontaneous realization, is weather or not you can keep it. It's all very well to find peace in the inner stillness of deep meditation, on the african plains, or the Cape Town coast, but can you, or in this case I, keep it? I am doing my best, and catching myself in the process of losing the peace I found, so that's a start. When I find myself moving towards frustration and irritation, I stop, take a breathe, and remember the mountains of the cape, the sunsets in the bush, and the smiles on the faces of all the friends I spent time with, and I find my way back. As I return home to San Diego, and to "normal" day to day life, I am sure the opportunities to be tested will be many, but hopefully my time in New York will help remind me to stay in the peace and calm I brought back from Africa.
In closing, I hope that you have had the opportunity to find some peace, some calm, or some other benefit of your own in reading these words and thoughts I have shared.
Now, the real question is: Can you keep it?
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