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I started blogging regularly this past winter, while I was in Orissa, surrounded by creative energy and inspiration to share my travel-life and dance process. I'm still inspired, motivated, living creative life...so what happened? Why am I not as industrious with my blog writing? Well, I'm in the USA now, and life is just different here. It moves in a faster pace. There are more bills, expenses, media interactions, cars, taxes, work...and in short, the productive and practical aspect of my life is in full swing, and creative expressions get pushed into the narrow spaces of productivity. I'm holding onto my dance practice time in the threatening face of my 'To Do' list (on my i-phone), and I'm spending way too much time trying to figure out how to spend less time managing the back-stage of my life, the money ground. The promising spaciousness every day starts with shrinks by the afternoons, and by dinner time, I'm left to wonder where did the day go again? Details, Details, piling up on my mind desk, nagging for my attention...and it is me who need to give myself a break, breath deep, do nothing for a moment, and reflect clear mind in clear schedule.
 
Cain and I recently returned from our teaching and performing trip in Alaska. We had an amazing time up north under the bright summer sun with Anchorage's Dance / Yoga / Qi Gong communities. The Alaskan weather Gods arranged for us the best weather possible in Alaska - about 70 degrees, and it was truly elating to experience sunset around midnight, and never fully dark nights - twilight to twilight. Alaska is so spacious and vast, and in the summer, the days are stretched-out long. In the midst of a very busy teaching schedule we enjoyed the delight of nature hikes, Moose sightings, and even climbed on a glacier. Our Alaskan hosts were so warm and welcoming. The attention, care, and interest we received every place we went was refreshing in light of the too-busy-to-notice-you attitude I often get in my professional interactions in the 'lower 48' (the Alaskan term for the rest of the US excluding Hawaii). In this way, Alaska reminded me of India.

I used to think that crowdedness breeds hatred and war, and in places with less population, people are friendlier and peace prevails. Simply due to the fact there are not that many interactions to overload our human nerve system and literally 'get on our nerves'. Alaska fits into this theory. India, however, is one the most crowded countries on earth, and yet, people are so open and tolerant. You feel noticed, cared for, acknowledged, loved even. It is also a relatively peaceful place, even though people are constantly adjusting for diminishing resources and living space. As I look deeper into it, I think loving attention emerges out of the spacious inside us. Keeping our heart open, our mind clear, and our breath deep is all we need to welcome intimate relations, and treat others with kindness and genuine care.