QUIET, Please

This probably doesn't sound like a holiday to you, but it's actually how the Hindu's celebrate their New Year or Nyepi, which was 03.07.19.  It doesn't matter your culture or religion, if you are on the island of Bali on this sacred day of silence, YOU ARE NOT EXEMPT from this strictly enforced day of enlightenment.  Ah, see?!  THIS IS WHY I LOVE BALI.

Foreigners who absolutely can't handle 24 hours of RAPTUROUS REALNESS, must stay inside their hotels.  No one is allowed outside, and when the sun goes down, no lights are allowed on. Giving in to any kind of technological temptation - like cell phones - is forbidden.

To me, it felt like I'd been sentenced to the most tangible sense of serenity I've felt in a long time.  It rained sooooo hard that day, and all I could do was SURRENDER to the silence and the calm.  When I woke up I led myself through a 30 minute yoga session - and I felt so much more connected to my breath when I was leading myself.  I typically go to a studio or find a yoga class on YouTube and follow that, but not this day.  I really wanted to commit to the divine connection being celebrated.  In between napping like a sweet little baby, I did some reading.  I also made space for a long meditation.  But I also have to wonder, HOW MANY BABY'S ARE CONCEIVED ON THIS DAY;)?

My mind wanted to race: there were so many moments when I WANTED TO WORRY about something, or google something, or just do something, anything, with my phone.  I can't think of very many days in the past several years when I haven't used my cell phone for something at least once.  And I have to admit, I did use it just once to take this photo, but that was it, I PROMISE.

Eventually my mind grew submissive to the silence as well.  And when the sun set, I closed my eyes and just let myself BE.

It was beautiful.  

HAPPY NEW YEAR!