One of My Inspirations
Reading this confirmed all that I knew in my heart and inspired me to make them true in my soul.
"Just staying home is easy for some,
traveling comes easily to others.
Each of us was made for some particular work,
and the desire for that work has been placed in our hearts.
How should hand and foot be set in motion without desire?
If you see your desire leading toward Heaven,
unfold your wings to claim it;
but if you see your desire bends to the earth,
keep lamenting.
The wise weep in the beginning;
the foolish beat their heads at the end."
~Rumi
The Ocean's Call
Last night the ocean was calling me in my sleep. On not one, but two occasions, I dreamt so vividly of being near the beach. I could almost smell the salt in the air and feel the warmth on my skin. The tide kept rising until the water was at my feet, washing over them, and at one point I was trying to run from it. I awoke with the realization that I needed to heed its call, instead of ignoring it as I usually do. Apparently there is a message that it wants me to hear, and I was drawn to it with an eager anticipation.
As I sit on the sand, the heat emanating from below, absorbing all of my trivial problems, I look out at the water and envision all of the possibilities in this world. How can one not? The sun reflecting on the ocean looks like a million diamonds, sparkling with potential and inevitably brightening your perspective on things. Yet there is a reality in its motion; swelling, peaking and crashing right in front of your eyes, disrupting any calm that may have existed before. The tide reminds you of the ocean’s vitality and power.
I begin to fully understand one of Kahlil Gibran’s analogies of marriage. He says “Love one another, but make not a bond of Love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.” That moving sea he speaks of carries within it all of the passion and love you might feel for one another. If you allow it, that momentum will grow with a force that will overcome you both. THAT, I believe, is falling in love – and it does not necessarily have to mean romantically, it could encompass family, friends, life, etc. Yet we typically hold ourselves back, restrain our emotions, for fear of being hurt. But if you cannot control the ocean, how can you possibly control your feelings? Only a fool would try and contain the sea.
I still my mind and after an hour of silent appreciation, the tranquility I feel allows me to finally hear what the ocean has been trying to convey: “You say you want passion and love in your life, which is all that I embody, yet you shy away from the water, afraid of getting wet. How can you feel all that I have to offer unless you dive in? Fall in head over heels?” It was simple, yet so eye-opening, an awakening of sorts. It dawns on me that a life lived cautiously is a devoid one. It may bring you contentment and security, but what about the excitement, the inspiration, the passion? All of those things I have yearned deeply for but never achieved. Maybe the real message I desperately needed to hear was that the fool I so easily admonished earlier has been none other … than me.
Laguna Beach, CA - August 26, 2006 - NV
A World Away within a Two Hour Reach
Wine Tasting Garden Party, Longoria Winery
Los Olivos, CA, Saturday, 8/19/06
Why pay for therapy? Just grab a friend and hit the road … better yet, have a friend pick YOU up and take off. My friend Mark arrived at 10:00am Saturday morning, our usual time. He is always so punctual. I love that after almost 8 years of friendship, I know him so well. This was going to be our third trip up to Los Olivos for one of the Longoria Winery Garden Parties. Their wine tasting parties are always so tastefully done and pleasantly delightful. We start our journey from Los Angeles and seem to end up in heaven.
I was looking forward to it like a drug addict anticipating her next hit. Overworked and frustrated, I needed the distraction. From our past experiences, I knew it would be a day for venting, sharing and relaxing. As we were about to leave, I checked my bag for the essentials: water, money and CDs. I usually play DJ, always the unofficial role of the passenger/co-pilot, so I had put together my road trip compilation earlier that morning.
As soon as the car started, so did our session. “So, how have you been? What’s new? What have you been up to?” After an hour on the road (210 West, 134 West, 101 North), we made a pit stop in Oxnard, which is pretty much the halfway point. The bathroom and a Soy Chai Latte were calling me. I am always on the lookout for a Starbucks or a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Once we pass Oxnard, the real road trip starts for me. The sea in all its magnificence begins to accompany us on our drive. For two water signs, this is heaven on earth. With good music in the background and beautiful scenery all around, the conversation flows free. The wonderful thing about Mark and I is that not only are we great listeners, but even better givers of advice. Then again, isn't everyone? Our time together though is always so harmonious.
Once we get to Santa Barbara, we have to get off the freeway to get back on to the 154. I had never known about the 154, a windy road through the mountains and Los Padres National Forest, it is what makes me feel far, far away from the busy city of LA. The first time we drove up to Los Olivos, I felt like a kid discovering a seashell in the sand. As if the tree-covered mountains are not breath-taking enough, as you drive through the Forest, a long gorgeous body of water appears to your right, Cochuma Lake, hidden in the valley of the mountains.
Los Olivos is a tiny community tucked away in the foothills. It’s a quaint little town; you can feel the appreciation for the earth in the air. The main street is lined with tiny wineries advertising ‘Tastings’ and so small, it would probably take 5 minutes to walk from one end to the other. It probably would have remained a well kept secret were it not for the movie “Sideways”. Our first time there, Mark took me to eat lunch at the same sidewalk restaurant/cafe they had dinner at in the movie. On this particular day, the town was buzzing. We drove by a huge crowd in the park and could hear the rapid announcement of an auctioneer. In order to prepare our pallets for the array of wines we were about to taste, we had a quick lunch at one of the market/delis right across the street.
The Longoria Winery is a small family-run business. You walk in to the front register area, walls lined with photos and full size posters of their wine labels, give your name, take your glass and proceed to the outside area. Most of the garden parties they hold are for wine club members only, so the guest list is small and makes the whole event feel more intimate. Typically held twice a year, around April and August, they showcase their new wines and share some of their vintages. You will usually see husband and wife overseeing things or pouring the wines, grandma making sure the cheese, dried fruit and finger food trays are full and the daughter pouring as well. Their wines are all excellent and food provided always delicious. Being there is always welcoming and delightful. The garden was in full bloom, so while tasting round after round of wines with names such as Alabarino, Evidence, Melbac, Hoo Doo Red, and the classics like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Syrah, there was lots to take in and talk about. The warmth of the sun on my skin and the soothing guitar strumming in the near distance brought me serenity. Even the butterflies wanted to partake in the festivities … one white butterfly would flutter around the rose bushes, as if it knew the white roses matched its body perfectly.
We easily spent 3 or 4 hours there. Time stands still as you are surrounded by nature, good food and drinks, and pleasant people. When the party started to wind down and you could feel the chill in the air, we decided to call it a day in Los Olivos. The highlight of the day however was on our drive back.
In search of chocolate, we stopped at a Trader Joe’s in Montecito to buy a bar of Dark Chocolate Truffle and attempt a vain effort at finding Oprah. The rumor is that she has a huge house up in the hills. Since I had never been to Montecito, Mark decided to take me to the Biltmore Four Seasons hotel. Amazing place – secluded amongst trees and literally right across the street from the beach, it seemed like an Island Paradise. Little bungalows housed the rooms to rent and the garden area hosted a Wedding that day. We were very tempted to crash the party but considering our relaxed attire we knew we would stick out like sore thumbs. Apparently you can brunch at the Biltmore for $50 per person on Sundays, which Mark had done before – a small way to feel part of the rich and exclusive. We then crossed the street, hopped the concrete railing to the beach, walked along the shore and settled on some rocks to eat our chocolate: decadence amidst luxury and splendor. The ocean put things in perspective for us and allowed us to resolve our worldly questions. We felt recharged, refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to go back and tackle the real world.
It is always hard to come back to earth after feeling so far removed from daily stresses, problems and worries – however, seeing a glimpse of nirvana, allowed us to hit the road again, and return with idealistic intentions and optimistic perspectives.
