A Quiet Place

A Quiet Place
            Moving, moving, always moving. Physically. Mentally. If I’m not doing things at a frenetic pace, I feel like I’m going to burst. I drove my parents and brothers crazy when I was a kid. I drive my husband and sons nuts now.
            I see similar traits in my severely autistic son. Hyperactivity and obsessive compulsive behaviors intertwine with his language, sensory processing and executive processing challenges. His compulsive pacing and constant rearranging of objects are familiar territory.
            I like moving around outdoors best, but indoor fitness classes are another great energy outlet. 
            Quiet, slow moving classes like yin yoga sound like torture to a person who can’t stand to be still. What could happen in an hour of quiet time? Pent up feelings might whoosh in, and tears might whoosh out. 
            Keep moving fast enough, and deeper feelings are kept at bay.
            And yet. A beloved fitness teacher mentioned her meditation and stretching class. Pushing anxiety aside, I showed up for a class.
            To my utter shock, though being physically still was hard, I survived the quiet, focused mental aspect.
            Sometimes the thing we need most is what we avoid.
            Kudos to those who are easily able to still their minds and bodies anywhere. For some of us, a beautiful, quiet setting with a soft breeze and clouds floating above are the instinctive choice. 
            This week’s Hike Notes, Phoenix Lake, introduces not a hike, but rather one of the iconic lakes of the Marin Watershed. Phoenix Lake can be a destination for a quiet moment viewing the lake, or can be the starting point for a wide variety of hikes.
            Please feel free to share. If you’re not able to take one of these Northern California hikes, hopefully you can enjoy the photos! Check the Home page for the background story.
            The list of hikes is getting long! Please check the Quick View Hike List or scroll down the main Hikes page to see the current list of hike notes.
New this week:
Hike Notes 69: Phoenix Lake