A Walk in the Park

It’s a funny thing how sometimes we inspire ourselves! I published a post yesterday called Creativity in Bloom, and all morning, that little voice was whispering to me to heed my own advice. It was a picture-perfect spring day here in NYC, and I had an Ayurvedic consultation scheduled at 4:00 pm Uptown, so I spur-of-the-moment decided to grab my camera and head to Central Park. I figured I could spend a couple of hours there before my appointment.

Just days before, I had received a Spring Bloom Guide from the Central Park Conservancy in the mail, mapping out the best spots in the Park to see the blossoming trees. I started near the Metropolitan Museum of Art and barely made it past a group of ancient Kwanzan Cherry trees that were so pregnant with blossoms they were sweeping the ground. One of these beautiful trees used to grace the home where I lived in Michigan. I spent almost an hour photographing them, talking to them, taking in their magnificent beauty.

I left my iPod in my pocket so I could truly be in the moment. There was the occasional conversation from people walking by, but for the most part, there was blissful silence except for the sounds of nature. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I was taking pictures and drinking the beauty in. I made a mental note of how I love to see things abstractly when I look through the lens of a camera. Even as a young artist, I was always drawn to abstraction. Although I had my good camera with me, I love what some of the iPhone apps can do!

I know that many people think that New Yorkers take full advantage of the wonders here in the city. But the truth is that a lot of us spend far too much time in our own neighborhoods. I am certainly guilty of that. I’m a Downtown girl and when I venture above 14th Street it sometimes feels like I’m in another world. Yesterday was one of those days I was grateful that I made the very small effort it took for me to get to the Park.

Time was ticking, so I made the decision to walk all the way across the park to the West Side where my appointment was. I get terribly lost in the park, but I had my map and set out on my adventure. Boy, was I rewarded! I stumbled upon the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir which I had never seen. I decided to follow along the path, pretty sure that it would take me where I needed to go. As I was walking along, I peered down to the little embankment at the water’s edge and guess what I saw? Turtles! Dozens of them, sunning themselves on the rocks and swimming in the water. There were big ones and little ones. Families of my beloved turtles. And then I saw two GIGANTIC bullfrogs!

I had underestimated how far it was to my destination, but I miraculously arrived on time. As much of an Ayurveda-lover as I am, I had only had one consultation many years ago. I was aware that I was sounding like a bit of an Ayurveda know-it-all, and talking too much and too fast like a Vata, but the practitioner was very kind and seemed thrilled at my enthusiasm. She confirmed that my prakruti is Vata-Pitta and then she asked me something that almost knocked me off my chair. She had seen on my intake form that I am an artist. She asked me if I prefer making abstract art! I said “Yes! How did you know that?” She said that it’s a very Vata characteristic. It’s no wonder I love Ayurveda so much. It’s brilliant!

I hope you enjoy some of the photos I took yesterday. Better yet, I hope you can get out and take in Mother Nature’s beauty yourself!

Love,
Barbara