A Lesson in Self-Love in Spiritual Sedona
I have — since forever — found myself fascinated by rock formations, particularly sandstone. Okay, before you go off thinking “what the heck do rock formations have to do with self love Aubrey?” Hear me out. I don’t know about you but I believe there is beauty in the details. Perhaps it’s because it takes time and attention to really look, know and understand intricate parts that make up the whole masterpiece, and by masterpiece I’m not just limiting the sense to a gigantic rock but also a person, a piece of art, and life as a whole. I have a love for intricacy and I’m one to appreciate the finer details.
I was set to travel to Sedona to attend a wedding and whilst my voyage there was to celebrate another couples love, little did I know that a lesson in self love was one that would come into fruition during my experience there also.
A Lesson In Self Love In Spiritual Sedona
When I found out that the wedding was falling a few days after my twenty-something birthday, and my partner asked me what I wanted, well, that was an easy answer... I immediately looked for a photography guide for Antelope Canyon: a slot canyon east of Page in Northern Arizona and about a two hour drive from where the wedding was going to be held in Sedona. In other words: the-most-beautiful-formation-of-terracotta-coloured-rocks-in-the-desert-of-Navajo-land-where-you-can-walk-through-and-just-think-to-yourself-holy-shit-wow. Do you ever have thoughts like that?
Only me?
K.
I had never been to a place like this and that vision; those feelings; those thoughts were only ones that existed in my head but regardless of it being an intangible, make believe, moment, I was in awe.
This place had been on my bucket list for many many years before actually getting to visit. Just a little side note: When one place does fall on my bucket list. I’ve already researched all that it has to offer that interests my style of travel, immersed myself in photographs of the place; inspired to take my own, and jotted down little facts of what peeks my interest to explore further.
It sprung to mind, from my prior research, that travellers aren’t actually able to visit the formations without a Navajo guide as the canyon lies on Navajo land. I also knew, as a photographer and just traveler in general, that it gets really crowded in there and taking photos with no one in the background, like the ones I have above are pretty much impossible in the group tour guides so just an extra hot travel tip for you: photography tours are the way to go if you want to prioritise ultimate hashtag wanderlust vibes photos. LOL, but really.
Some people just go here, take photos and call it a day. Unfortunately a majority of travel bloggers, photographers/instagrammers do that with a lot of locations around the world just for the ‘gram but I beg for you to differ — look closer; look up; look all the way around. Take a moment and be pleasantly surprised.
Do you know how these rock formations were created?
It’s from the erosion of the Navajo Sandstone that’s mainly caused by flooding, especially during monsoon season (roughly mid-June to mid-September). The water runs through the rocks picking up speed and sand making these wave-like patterns naturally as it’s free flowing in so many different directions.
It’s like the waves are somewhat frozen in time instead of passing through, no? I like to think of it as waves of the desert.
Okay so you know that vision; those feelings; those thoughts that were only ones that existed in my head? Finally seeing this sight with my own eyes, looking up; closer and all the way around was so surreal to me. I captured this photograph below (which is one of my favourites) and want to share a lesson in self-love to serve as a gentle reminder for you, me; us — when times can feel tough...
If rain and flooding can result in the creation of a beating heart and so much natural beauty, then the monsoons in our own lives can well and wonderfully do just the same. We’re ALL just here to ride the waves of life. We ALL never really know what we’re doing. We’re ALL just figuring out this flimsy reality as we go (and quite frankly, that’s the best part)
You see, to see the light you must first see the love.
If nature can create something as beautiful as this, ask yourself this:
“What can you create?”
What beautiful masterpiece can you create from a painful or tough experience you’ve had in your own life? With no expectation; of merely just making something out of love, and then sharing it with an open heart?
Where would it take you?
Only you have the answers.
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P. S On the flip side, the creativity that comes from joyous, fun and exhilarating experiences are just as much of a great place of creating a piece of art too. This is just a beautiful reminder that Inspiration is everywhere. We just have to choose to see it.
P.P.S The wedding was stunning in case you were wondering, here’s a photo of what I wore, standing next to some plants that were the same colour.
So grateful for this lesson in self-love in Sedona, Arizona that I get to share with you. Please share it with someone you feel needs to hear it too. ♥
