It felt like something that should be illegal – like I was ingesting some new drug that held the promise of dissolving all ugliness and pain. And who knew, that on this day, after finishing my day’s work in northern Utah (in a day dealing with an impossible situation, in an imperfect storm-torn world), I would find myself lying on my back, hands over my head, floating perfectly level, in a perfectly pleasant hot spring. There I lay, buoyed up like a king in the mineral-rich waters, staring up into a gray crystalline sky, as giant snowflakes wafted gently down upon my skin and into my mouth.
At that time, most of the other patrons of Crystal Hot Springs had left. With the water covering my ears, my mind transported my soul far from the burdens of my day and my profession. I found myself floating in a vast body of water, far from any distractions, responsibilities, bodily pains, or emotional concerns. There, I drifted gently, below a storm that, in any other circumstance, would have been harsh, cold, and unsettling. But here, it felt like I had discovered some rare, new, transcendental awakening.
In my mind, I evoked an image of one of those adventures that we capture by taking and posting selfies on social media, thus sharing with others an experience they may find too expensive, too dangerous, too strenuous, too exclusive, or too remote. As this image evolved, I imagined wearing an expensive, one-of-a-kind outfit . . . or standing next to the masses-appointed or anointed mogul or movie star. . . . But doesn’t such a sentiment endow the event, itself, with more importance than the experience that was felt at the core of your soul and being?
Who is to say that flying a fighter jet, or skydiving, or bungee jumping, or standing on Mount Kilimanjaro brings any more joy, any more pleasure, any more peace, than simply floating on your back in a mineral-rich hot spring, while staring up into a snowstorm for the price of just under $10? No one. Not a soul. They can’t. I know. I was there. It’s a matter of choice. I found its power and its peace. You can too.
If you are able to find yourself there – in a snowstorm, by the hot-springs, or in some moment and place of similar transcendental opportunities – seize the day! Take a little time, lie upon the bed of a watery mineral pool, upon its pillow of soft, comforting warmth. At such a vantage, you will see that the snowstorm bears no menace and no purpose other than to shower your warm skin and soul with nothing more than dancing, dazzling, white ablutions, each bearing a blessing and a prayer born of your own need. If you do this, you will find the courage and strength to see your own storms so transformed. I did!--in a place that was neither too expensive, too dangerous, too strenuous, too exclusive, or too remote for most to experience.
There are thousands of such places. Open your eyes to them. Take a moment, find those warm pools amidst the storms of your life, and see them from a new, liberating perspective-- perhaps even bestowing blessings instead of pain.
Loren M. Lambert, January 12, 2017 ©
Another First in My Life
At that time, most of the other patrons of Crystal Hot Springs had left. With the water covering my ears, my mind transported my soul far from the burdens of my day and my profession. I found myself floating in a vast body of water, far from any distractions, responsibilities, bodily pains, or emotional concerns. There, I drifted gently, below a storm that, in any other circumstance, would have been harsh, cold, and unsettling. But here, it felt like I had discovered some rare, new, transcendental awakening.
In my mind, I evoked an image of one of those adventures that we capture by taking and posting selfies on social media, thus sharing with others an experience they may find too expensive, too dangerous, too strenuous, too exclusive, or too remote. As this image evolved, I imagined wearing an expensive, one-of-a-kind outfit . . . or standing next to the masses-appointed or anointed mogul or movie star. . . . But doesn’t such a sentiment endow the event, itself, with more importance than the experience that was felt at the core of your soul and being?
Who is to say that flying a fighter jet, or skydiving, or bungee jumping, or standing on Mount Kilimanjaro brings any more joy, any more pleasure, any more peace, than simply floating on your back in a mineral-rich hot spring, while staring up into a snowstorm for the price of just under $10? No one. Not a soul. They can’t. I know. I was there. It’s a matter of choice. I found its power and its peace. You can too.
If you are able to find yourself there – in a snowstorm, by the hot-springs, or in some moment and place of similar transcendental opportunities – seize the day! Take a little time, lie upon the bed of a watery mineral pool, upon its pillow of soft, comforting warmth. At such a vantage, you will see that the snowstorm bears no menace and no purpose other than to shower your warm skin and soul with nothing more than dancing, dazzling, white ablutions, each bearing a blessing and a prayer born of your own need. If you do this, you will find the courage and strength to see your own storms so transformed. I did!--in a place that was neither too expensive, too dangerous, too strenuous, too exclusive, or too remote for most to experience.
There are thousands of such places. Open your eyes to them. Take a moment, find those warm pools amidst the storms of your life, and see them from a new, liberating perspective-- perhaps even bestowing blessings instead of pain.
Loren M. Lambert, January 12, 2017 ©
Another First in My Life
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