Finally, I am here again. Determined not to be distracted by anything or anyone. Determined to overcome the procrastination tendency that has been sabotaging my writing for the past few weeks.

On the weekend I was inspired by an unscheduled visit to the revamped Western Australian Museum. It has just reopened after extensive remodelling which took 4 years. It’s formal name is now WA Museum Boola Bardip. Boola Bardip means many stories in Whadjuk Nyoongar language. This name acknowledges Australia’s First Peoples and reflects the shared cultural heritage of all who inhabit our state.

The extensive exhibits are colourful and interactive. There are stories from ancient times to the present. Stories that began all over the globe. Stories about the forces of nature and our relationship with it. Western Australia has a rich and diverse cultural background and it struck me that there are layers upon layers to discover, to delight, to learn from.

My story this edition is layered too. In the past 6 weeks there has been diverse activity, some of it physically strenuous, some of it mentally and emotionally draining.

I wrote recently in my journal that I felt like I was a yo yo with a long string. Flying down, rebounding up over and over again. We all know times like this albeit it’s not the ideal state to experience vitality.

Circuit breakers like the museum visit and camping overlooking stunning and aptly named ‘Lucky Bay’ are rejuvenating. I wrote in an earlier post about our experience on the Holland Track as novice campers and 4WDers.  https://vitalitywithesyltt.com/2020/09/28/getting-out-of-my-comfort-zone-on-the-holland-track/

We enjoyed it so much we decided to go on another camping adventure. This time to the moderately remote South Coast of Western Australia, home to some of the most stunning beaches with the whitest sand ever seen. One memorable night we camped on a cliff top in the Fitzgerald National Park. It had taken us an hour to drive 15 kilometres through very narrow and rough tracks to arrive at Whale Bone Creek. Moving on, via Esperance to Cape Le Grande National Park there was plenty of opportunity to hike, up steep rock paths on Frenchman’s Peak and up and down over and over again to reach Hellfire Bay from Lucky Bay. In 5 hours of hiking that day we saw only one other couple. Later, at our campsite, writing in my journal I was pondering why camping, in all its simplicity, devoid of home luxuries was so enjoyable. The answer that resonated best was that when camping we are in nature 24//7. A thin canvas wall is all that separates from the stars and the fresh air at night, during the day every meal is prepared and eaten al fresco. Our first night back in four solid walls felt almost stifling.

As this challenging year, filled with bizarre and unexpected happenings draws to a close I wonder how you will process it, remember it and set intentions for an inspiring 2021. In our office we are making a Christmas tree where the ornaments are made by our visitors. We suggest they write on a bright shape something they are thankful for in 2020 or something they have learned this year. In math we use the expression ‘to the power of’ to describe numbers that grow exponentially. Reading the ‘ornaments’ on our tree I feel like the gratitude and positivity there has that powerful effect, amplifying all that I have to be grateful for amidst the challenging environment we currently inhabit.

And as for the procrastinating, I appreciated some encouragement from my sister who said “be a little kinder to yourself’. Now, I extend that wish to you too.