I hope Lana del Rey won’t mind my borrowing her song title for this post, as it is the exact reflection of how I feel right now…
Back Shore, Peaks Island, Casco Bay, Maine
Summer is over. It’s time for the new season to crawl into our lives, brining joy, excitement, anticipation, or perhaps sadness, disappointment, feeling of loss… Everyone will eventually get what he or she really wanted and was looking forward to. I spent my last summer in Boston for the first time, and it was one of the most magical times of my life. I opened my heart to Boston and locked it inside, knowing that this is the city I want to live, work, start a family, have children; it fits in me perfectly with its multi-dimensional neighborhoods, historic brownstones and a true free spirit, where people can be whatever they want and love whomever they want. And last summer was the highlight of the absolute embracement of my love for Boston. Nightly outings with our friends, romantic getaways with Alex, burned skin and salty hair coming back from Cape Cod – all which culminated in a wonderful feeling of a grateful appreciation for life.
Boston Skyline from the New Roof Deck
The four seasons made their turn, and summer came along again. I couldn’t be more anxious to relive it all again. But here comes the tricky part – there’s a reason why they say “you can never step into the same river twice.” I was holding onto too many memories that made me so happy last summer and cherishing my nostalgia so carefully, that I forgot to open my eyes, look around and start appreciating the new moments. I tried to recreate too many things, but even following the same scenario wouldn’t bring back the emotions I experienced back then. And while trying to chase the past, I didn’t pay enough attention to the present. And now that the summer is over, I realized I could have been a little more observant, a little more engaged in what was happening around me. And to be honest, a lot of amazing things had happened: more “daycations” with my love to explore new places and meet new people, chilling with our friends on our new roof deck with the most amazing view of Boston, getting a kitten that brightened up my life even more, becoming a complete yoga addict and experiencing Wanderlust in Vermont, going to Russia to see my loved ones after a long time, and the highlight of this summer – going to Amsterdam.
Alex Being “Gonged” at Wanderlust Yoga Festival in Vermont
My colleagues and I worked really hard to make it an exceptional trip, and though a work trip, it totally showed me how special and unique these past three months were. I believe things happen for a reason, and I learned something important from this summer – cherish your memories, but don’t look back too much, because there are just so many more exciting things awaiting for you once this page is turned. Living in the past sometimes can be tempting but think about what you’ll miss not paying attention to what’s happening to you right at this moment. So stop whatever you’re doing now, take a deep breath, open your eyes, and I mean, really open your eyes and look around and start living the moment immediately. It’ll be worth it – I promise.
Amsterdam
Namaste!
