Wild

 

It should not have taken me so long to finish reading Wild by Cheryl Strayed, but because I’m still working, it did! My tenth year as a grade five classroom teacher turned out to be the most difficult, never-ending, and exasperating year yet, but it has also provided moments of clarity, and opportunities for personal growth and reflection. 

Teaching writing is an important endeavor, and my own personal writing has always been a worthwhile outlet for me. In May, I was invited to attend this writer’s conference at Kripalu, the yoga retreat in western Massachusetts, by an old colleague. I almost declined because it was so close to my extended April vacation trip to Turkey. Thank goodness I went and didn’t miss out on this opportunity. Not only is Kripalu a beautiful place to visit and unwind, but the author Cheryl Strayed is so inspiring. Her workshop perfectly complemented a few days of clean eating, meditative activities, and communing in nature with like-minded individuals.