Two Weeks in Long Beach

There have been plenty of moments in this journey where I have questioned my reasoning for embarking upon this year long adventure. These moments usually occur the first day or two into a new city, and usually after a long car ride of spending way too much time with myself and my thoughts, my mind wandering around every curve of the road.

I can’t underestimate the feeling of uncertainty or uncomfortableness that sometimes comes with this new lifestyle I lead. In these moments, I dig deep and really push myself to get out there and meet people. I really have to submit to the purpose driven life and self-responsibility that I preach. It is not easy, but it is worth it. So, something must still be said for the magic that occurs shortly after moments like this. Like what happened yesterday for example.

Yesterday, I really felt like I needed to make some connections and fast (a 2 day drive will do this to you!!!). So, I went to CouchSurfing.org to look for happenings in Long Beach. I noticed their message board was very active, so I decided to post there. My title was “Help! Just landed in Long Beach…Now What?”

Within a few minutes a couple different people reached out to me. One of them mentioned she thought she knew me from AirBNB. And low and behold, she was right! Thank goodness I didn’t rent her place because she uses AirBNB to rent her entire place and then she goes somewhere she would’ve been somewhere else, meaning perhaps our paths would not have crossed.

Instead they did cross, and we made plans to hang out last night at Portfolio Coffeehouse, a couple blocks from where I live. They were having an open mic night. Within 2 short minutes of conversation the reason was clear why we were connected. We had so much in common, like good ol’ friends from a previous life.

Suddenly the open mic happening in the background, which started out as a main attraction, was an afterthought.

Eventually our outdoor table filled to include other friends and acquaintances passing by. Before I knew it I had plans for 4th of July, for the weekend, for later on with some cool outings in both Long Beach and Los Angeles, and open invites for a meditation gathering as well as a local film screening. I got home a little after 11pm, we originally met up at 6pm.

Exactly.

If it wasn’t for the drop in temperature that came with the night, we’d still be out there talking. Serendipitous moments like this are what I live for. They are reassuring. They remind me I am on the right path and that this is my journey.

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Thoughts

You are better than you think. You are more capable than you think. You are stronger than you think. If only your mind, thoughts and feelings could catch up to the person you really are. Worlds would open up before your eyes.

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Hot Java

(at Hot Java cafe) I love it that the barista behind the counter is jammin’ to the songs playing in the background. And that others around me are either having good conversation or getting work done. Oh and just outside the window at an outdoor table someone is feeding their pet parrot crackers in the sunshine. Polly really is loving those crackers

How am I supposed to get ANY work done when they are playing “Everybody Dance Now” by C&C Music Factory?…..LOL clearly they want me to dance!

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Let’s Go Explore!

Yesterday afternoon presented me with an awesome invitation to explore Long Beach and LA and I accepted. Rode bikes along the beach trail and through some very narrow walkways in Venice, followed by lunch and strolling through local shops on 2nd Street. And then enjoying a very popular Art Walk in downtown LA, complete with talking to the artists and paintings that dive deep into imagination. I love it when things just happen and you go with the flow. That makes the best days!

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Antique Furniture & Chess Games

(at Catalina Coffee Company) Love this old school coffee house with antique style furniture and book shelves, and right now I’m watching a 5 year old challenge a pair of young adults to a game of chess. All in good fun.

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A Beautiful Moment

We were walking down the promenade in Santa Monica, a location known for its shops, restaurants and diverse street performers. My friend and I were in conversation, oblivious to the noise and activity around us. She was telling me a story and recalling important details. Suddenly she stopped mid-sentence and I didn’t even question it. We were both drawn to a beautiful sound coming from somewhere close by. Following the music we located the source. There stood a young artist who sang a melodic tune while strumming her guitar, and her voice took our breath away.

After her performance was over we walked up to make a donation but ended up making conversation instead and purchased her CD. Then we continued our walk, loving the moment we just experienced.

It would be a couple hours before my friend circled back to her story. But the fact that we moved so in sync, with no words spoken, drawn to an enchanting sound, and then were both content on being still for that moment… that’s when you know you’re on the same level with someone. That’s when you know you’ve got a friend for life.