DAY 169 OF 365: PURE BLISS!

So today was another day in paradise. I slept with the windows open last night and the cool breeze and the sound of nature outside my windows eased me into a total slumber. This morning I started off my day with another hike, this one the Pilgrim Hike, followed by a nice breakfast of fresh fruit and granola as well as some whole wheat pancakes with an apple cinnamon topping. I added some flax seeds to my granola for some added health. After breakfast I decided to do the men's circuit training. I was feeling kind of adventurous and I wanted JC to be proud. We started off on the treadmill running for fifteen minutes before starting 1 minute stations of 25 different exercises that ranged from weights to bikes to squats to jump rope. By the end of this I was sweating and I am pretty sure that I did not smell too great either. So after chatting with the guys for a couple of minutes I met up with Diane and headed to the pool to lounge for a bit before making my way over to the spa for my facial, courtesy of the Taylors. The facial was pure bliss. Between the scalp and shoulder massage, the facial itself and the calming scents and music, I was floating on air. I left the spa feeling rejuvenated and my face looked amazing. Not red or blotchy like some facials can leave you, but rather a slight glow.
This afternoon they had a mixer of sorts where they made homemade "healthy" sangria and guacamole at the gazebo and we had a chance to chat with other guests. Now before heading to the mixer, I attended a lecture by one of the guest speakers who happened to be a Rabbi. He gave this amazing lecture on stories and beliefs that have been passed down. Now, you didn't have to be jewish to take anything away from this lecture. The main point of his speech was realizing that miracles take place everyday and that life is a precious gift that we are given. We only have one life, and what we make out of it is what we get from it. That is what truly resonated with me. This journey has not just been about finding the healthier fitter me. That is just part of it. The healthier fitter me also is about finding me. Everyday we learn something new; sometimes without even realizing it. The true test is what we make out of these lessons. Do we grow and change from them or do we keep going in our stale and familiar life, leaving behind an opportunity for growth and happiness?
Now, having been hit with this amazing and deep realization, what's a guy to do? Well, this guy booked a therapeutic deep tissue massage for Wednesday and then lounged in a hammock while I waited for Diane while she got scalp therapy. We then enjoyed another amazing dinner full of great conversation with our new friends Marie and Ralph. The best part is that all of your meals are in this gorgeous dinning hall. Breakfast and Lunch you have the option of eating outside in their garden/terrace area, but at dinner you eat inside at these large tables, giving you an opportunity to eat with new and interesting people.
Well, I am once again in the lounge typing my blog before heading home for bed. I have another hike in the morning and I need to be up by 5:30am so I need my sleep. I have decided that for the remainder of the trip I will not use social media per the advice of Helene Taylor. I don't want to leave the tranquility of this amazing retreat and get caught up with what is happening back home. I want to live in the moment. So starting now, it is only my blog and nothing else until I return to LA. So off to bed I go. Till tomorrow.