Disconnected

As many of you heard, my cell phone was stolen during my first full day in Mexico City. It was, to put it mildly, a drag. Immediately after it happened, the impact of its loss seemed enormous—how would I keep track of reservations, get directions, take pictures, know what time it was? Once I recovered from the shock of it being taken and once I took care of all the practical things (calling T-Mobile to report it stolen, making sure it was locked, etc.), I realized that the most important next step was just to take a few breaths and accept that it was gone. And suddenly the prospect of being without a phone started to seem like a wonderful opportunity. During the rest of the trip, I admit, I did feel a bit lighter—I became aware of how much I mindlessly scroll through Facebook or watch YouTube, or check for the latest updates on election predictions. Ultimately, this enforced disconnection helped me to experience more fully all the joys of a good vacation—seeing beautiful sites, connecting with old friends, eating new foods, etc. The importance of letting go, embracing the present, and the subsequent increase in awareness are all lessons that I continue to learn through my yoga practice. While I don't wish anyone the headache of having to go through a lost phone, it was a wonderful to realize that yoga, even when you're nowhere near a mat, provides a way of being in the world that is about being open and connected.