Author: Liora Sponko

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Meditating My Way Into a New Habit

by Liora Sponko, in category coaching

For a few years now, I have wanted to have a daily meditation practice. But it always seemed so hard! I would sit for a few minutes once in awhile, get distracted by my thoughts and give up. I never could develop a consistent practice.

I mean, I already hike the butte and go to yoga almost every morning. How am I supposed to fit anything else in before work?! I finally realized it would take intention and accountability to get this going.

On December 1st, I posted that I would meditate everyday during the month of December. It’s just a month! What’s the worst that could happen? I was glad to see that a few people joined me in this challenge and I even found an accountability partner.

At first I would forget. I would get Raychel’s text that she completed her meditation. “Shit!” So I would meditate that night. Other days, I would be rushing around my morning and wonder when I was going to fit in another 20 minutes. While I was sitting, all I could think about was all the things I had to do that day.

Isn’t meditation supposed to be relaxing and not stressful?!

It really takes something to create a new habit. It’s so much easier to wake up and just lay in bed. But a habit can get created when we are committed to something bigger in our lives. I started my daily hike and yoga practice because I’m committed to my health and well-being. I don’t always feel like getting out of bed to hike in the rain, but I do, because the rewards are so much greater.

I’m also committed to ease and peace of mind and excited to share that I now have a daily meditation practice even beyond my December challenge. I know that meditation is a long game, and will truly see the transformative benefits as my practice develops and unfolds over time.

And I have quite an empowering collection of morning rituals: I write in my dream journal, meditate, practice yoga and hike the butte. By 9am, I feel connected and ready to take on the rest of my day.

What is one thing that you have you wanted to incorporate in your day? Give it a try! Set your intention, distinguish your commitment, find an accountability partner or structure to fulfill on your goal, and take action now matter how you feel. Be the driver of your life.

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Journey with the Eclipse

by Liora Sponko, in category Uncategorized

I have been looking forward to this day for months. Yet I had NO IDEA what this day would really mean for me.

I’m too excited to sleep. I wake up at 2am, and then 5am, and finally just get up in the darkness to meditate, practice yoga and truly be ready for the day.

My brother had told me to make sure I am not only in the path of totality, but right in line of the eclipse. “Even 20 seconds makes a difference!” he exclaimed.

With that in mind, I drive up to the closest place of totality. I look at the map and see there is a road that ends perpendicular to the line. My heart racing, I drive up a dirt road until it ends where there is an open space surrounded by vineyards, blueberry bushes and a tree farm. This is my spot. And here I wait.

“Simple. Clear. Easy. Beautiful,” I write in my journal. “Nothing too fancy. Nothing too planned.”

As I watch the moon pass over the sun for over an hour, I continue to write.

“May the eclipse reset me. May I allow the light and the darkness to provide me with healing and love. May I allow the darkness to clear my fears so I can be filled with light.”

And then darkness begins to fall across the vineyard. Totality hits.

For over two minutes, the blaze around the moon ignites me. I am so moved by the beauty and power of this experience. I start to cry and my heart opens. It’s absolutely incredible.

“Thank you, universe. Thank you for giving me this experience of love,” I whisper as the tears flow down my cheeks. “Thank you for giving me this experience of eternal love and allowing me to be connected to my own power and strength.”

The moon continues to move across the sun and the light slowly reappears across the sky. I am heartbroken it is over. Yet I’m grateful for this intense experience of connection. My brother was right, every second makes a difference.

This is one of the most beautiful experiences I have ever witnessed. I am so present to the magic and mystery of the universe. And I know there are millions of people around the globe who were also moved by its greatness.

May I share beauty with the world as the eclipse shared with me. May I love people as intensely as the universe loves me. May I always be present to the light, the darkness, and the transformation of the world.

 

Eclipse photo by Jason Charme Photography

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The Depths of the Lake

by Liora Sponko, in category Uncategorized

“The most important question is to know what you want. It’s difficult to accept that you know what you are supposed to do. Courage is the quality most essential to understanding the language of the world. You become more fluent in the language of the world by daring. If you don’t fear the unknown, the unknown will be kind to you.” Paulo Coehlo.

I decide to go to Crater Lake, just for the day. As many of you know, Crater Lake is a beautiful National Park.

With a depth of 1,949 feet, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States. I hadn’t previously known it was possible to go swimming in the lake! So I hike down to the water’s edge and swim in the cold, refreshing water.

I then hike to the top of a historic fire lookout. The sun is shining but there is still snow covering the trails. I get to the top and enjoy the panoramic views of the lake to the east and the mountains to the west.

This could have been enough to satisfy my day.

On top of the lookout I meet a pair of PCT hikers. With huge backpacks and sweaty faces, the pair share their story while they are cooking ramen on a camping stove. They tell us they had to skip the Sierras because of the snow but are determined to go back there at the end. They share their frustration about Oregon too. “Oregon has so many trees, there are hardly any views!” I smile and disregard any of their complaints as I am in awe of their drive and determination to be on this epic six-month journey.

Another couple reaches the top of the lookout. They are both wearing flip-flops. “Must have been a cold hike up the snow,” I exclaim. A young couple, obviously in love, begin sharing their story.

She was a teacher and he was an engineer. They quit their jobs to follow their dream of traveling. They now travel around the world publish their adventures on a website and blog—and make enough to get by. “It’s more work than you think,” he shares. But I see a brightness in their eyes.

There I am looking at the lake’s reflection, admiring these incredible people that crossed my path.

They courageously took steps towards the unknown.

Like the lake, our lives dwell in mystery. Even deeper than the lake, there are endless possibilities.