Solar Alvura Yoga Retreats

Join us for a rejuvenating yoga retreat at Solar Alvura, where you can immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Algarve. We explore daily yoga and meditation sessions, complemented by delicious and nutritious meals to nourish your body and soul. You'll also have access to our spa and wellness facilities, as well as the opportunity to explore the breathtaking natural surroundings through guided excursions and adventure. Come unwind and find your inner peace at our idyllic yoga retreat. Please book by contacting Solar Alvura Health Hotel or let me know if you have any questions.

 

Nurture, Heal & Transform Yoga Retreat Dates

 

27th Jan - 1st Feb

10th - 15th February

2nd-7th March

20th-25th April

15th - 20th June

21st - 26th September

19th - 24th October

16th - 21st November

 

5 nights (6 days) Yoga Retreat starting 5pm Satruday, ending 12 noon Thursday. Extend your stay with a discounted rate on nights booked before or after the retreat; most guests come a day early to join us for the Saturday morning market in our local fishing town.

 

Please check the hotel website for pricing, prices start at €1,055 per person sharing, €1335 single occupancy.  

 

Solar Alvura Yoga Retreats are supportive, invitational and fun. They are designed by Sylvia Ferguson who has over 20 years of experience in teaching yoga. There’s an option to add on a detox programme or a weight-loss programme to your stay but no obligation to, many guests enjoy wine and dessert in moderation!

 

Retreat includes:

 

Full use of the extensive facilities and optional group excursions with optional extra treatments, procedures and excursions available

5 nights luxury accommodation 

All meals

Alcohol free drink (cocktail) or one glass of wine or beer per meal

Twice daily yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices with all of your equipment provided, no need to bring your yoga mat unless you'd like to

Excursions with the group (depending on the time of year) beach days, hiking, a visit to a local olive farm, cooking demonstrations

Airport collection on arrival from Faro airport (only 25 minutes away)

 

Add ons:

 

Weight loss program / detox program

Colonic hydrotherapy

Massage and all other Spa treatments

 

We are expecting you to leave with a healthier body and mind having had the space to nurture and relax with the support of your group and your mentors. Your learning programme will include practices for daily meditations, yoga and mindfulness as well as education on nutrition. Our intention for you is that your practices explored on retreat could come home with you to be incorporated into your daily life: 5 Tibetans, Dr Eva's method of healthy daily maintenance diet, daily mindfulness practices. 

 

A typical day includes: 

 Sunrise meditation and yoga followed by a healthy indulgent breakfast

Morning excursions or enjoy the property, book a treatment, or relax by the pool or in the Hammam. Wander through the orange grove, take a short stroll to the local town or nap!

A healthy lunch

Afternoons to enjoy the property, book a treatment, or relax by the pool or in the Hammam

Evening yoga or sunset meditation, or group Hammam depending on the time of year

Evening dip in the nearby Atlantic Ocean, summer or winter, we meet in the hot steam room after winter dips.

A leisurely dinner

 

Please contact the hotel directly to pay your 50% deposit to secure your place. We look forward to welcoming you!

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Our lovely guest on our July yoga retreat, Rachael, recently review our yoga retreat in gorgeous 3-page spread in the Sunday Mirror Magazine. Here’s a little flavour or what impressed her the most while giving you an idea of what you might expect when you join us. 

Although the retreats are in a stunning, luxury hotel in the Algarve they are surprisingly affordable so knowing first that your 5 days / 6 nights starts at €1062 for all your yoga, your delicious food, the facilities in the beautiful hotel in a shared room*. The Ryanair fights are frequent and affordable, the hotel is only 25 minutes from Faro Airport and arrange collection for you. It’s more accessible than you might think! 

Rachael adored her stunning room, the outdoor dining area with heaps of flavourful veg at every meal. Our morning meditation is on a rooftop at sunrise with views extending to the Atlantic Ocean not that far away. We drift from there to a purpose-built yoga yurt with soft cream fabric overhead and warm red stone below, sunlight pouring in and the scent of lavender and orange-grove ever-present in the property. 

The pool area is an infinity pool with shade or sun, luxurious sun loungers and the perfect place to chill for a few hours. It is a very peaceful location with maybe just an occasional distant passing car or the neighing of Eva’s pet donkey Divo to interrupt the silence. 

Eva is a doctor specialising in weight-loss and diabetes management, some hotel guests are there for specific tailored programmes, most on the yoga retreat are simply there to enjoy an abundance of healthy food. 

We have excursions daily, these are optional if you’d rather chill at the hotel or book a treatment at the spa. The Algarve Coast is a short drive away and we all pile into the hotel’s mini-bus for the ride. We take a ferry for the short ride to an island with white sand beaches, sun-loungers and umbrellas and cute bars with snacks and drinks. Tropical island experience with the Atlantic Ocean for a dip. We go to our local Olive Farm for a potter and a tour, our local historical town, Tavira, is perfect for a wander or a bit of shopping. We sea-kayak to another nearby island, more cute bars and coffee shops and a manageable, fun kayaking experience as we all paddle our own canoes! Life jackets and waterproof phone holders are all provided, the services in Portugal are excellent. 

We eat together three times daily but nobody minds if you’d rather spend quiet time with your book or gazing out over the extensive property admiring Divo’s gorgeous ears! Mornings are in silence until breakfast so we get used the endless chattering mind and learn how to appreciate silence and stillness and moments of peace. Our retreat is designed so you build skills and learn things, short yoga sequences to develop your home practice, little tips and tricks on creating plates of gorgeous healthy food, meditation practices that can drift into your life with ease. 

Rachael is still doing her daily meditation months later, many other guests (including me!) adopt some of Eva’s clever ways of maintaining healthy food choices, many others develop a short daily yoga practice. Eva and I are both scientist and educators and we love to support you in finding ways to live your best life. 

Rachael’s full article can be accessed here. I’m here for any questions at all, get in touch! xS

*Please note prices are due to increase in 2024

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What happens only once in a blue moon? Well, a blue moon of course! And guess what, this August mother nature is treating us to one. 

What does this mean for us? As a scientist I’ll tell you not much really, except we get TWO, not one, Full Moon workshops in Mutton Lane in August, definitely a reason to celebrate! As a lover of all things poetic and mystical, I’ll tell you a blue moon is an excuse to break out of our usual routines and connect with ourselves, with nature and with others in a beautiful environment, regardless of the science!

A blue moon is a term used to describe the occurrence of a second full moon within a calendar month. It is a relatively rare event, as the average length of a lunar cycle is approximately 29.5 days, while most months have 30 or 31 days. We get one once every two or three years. It’s our first one in Mutton Lane Yoga Studio.

From an astronomical perspective, a blue moon is not actually blue in colour. The term "blue" in this context is believed to have originated from an old definition of the word, which meant "betrayer" or "false." It was used to denote an extra full moon that disrupted the usual monthly lunar cycle, causing confusion or deviation from the norm. Deviation from the norm… let’s embrace that! 

It's worth noting that many of the beliefs surrounding the moon's influence on human behaviour and biology are rooted in folklore and cultural traditions rather than scientific evidence. While the moon holds symbolic and cultural significance for many people, its direct impact on our biology remains a topic of ongoing scientific investigation and debate.

That being said, the moon does have an impact on Earth's natural systems, primarily through its gravitational pull, which causes the ocean tides. Some studies have explored potential correlations between lunar phases and human behaviours, such as sleep patterns, fertility, or mental health, but the results have been inconsistent and often contradictory. The influence, if any, appears to be subtle and highly individualised, with different people responding differently to lunar cycles.

Let’s embrace all of that! Disprupting norms, exploring our individual response to events, connecting, adventuring, and discovering. 

You can book your full moon workshops in August on Eventbrite as well as our 2-hour Saturday morning yoga workshop which lands on 5th August. Classes in the community and in Marlay Park continue all summer long, details are on the events and workshops page of the website. Yoga retreats in the beautiful Solar Alvura Hotel are open for booking for July and beyond, join us for a week of blissful serenity and food to die for!

I’m here for any questions at all and hope to be still here for the next blue moon too!

Here’s to adventure! xS

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When packing for your retreat we suggest you keep in mind the intentions you might set for yourself for your time with us, comfort, joy and ease! Keep an eye on the temperature in the Algarve on the weeks and days coming up to your retreat, during summer months your priority will be cool, protective layers. During cooler months clever layering for freedom of movement and warmth when needed. We suggest bringing the clothing that sparks feelings of joy and sunny relaxation time. The below are just our suggestions, please feel free to add your own.

1. Yoga clothing for classes twice daily, evening yoga is gentle. No need to bring your mat, we have everything you need. Optional extras you could bring are warm socks for relaxation, a warm layer of clothing, and maybe an eye pillow.

2. Swimwear, flip flops or sliders. We will need swimwear for the pool, the beach and the boat. Something to cover up is essential for the boat, a hat and a top with long sleeves. Bring your best sun hat, SPF 50+, and your water bottle to refill regularly from our chilled, flavoured, filtered water.

3. Runners for fitness walks. Your normal runners should be fine, no special hiking gear needed. I tend to travel in my comfiest runners and only pack flip flops and flat sandals.

4. Something cool and comfy for pottering around cobbled Portuguese towns and our local olive farm.

5. Some cash can be handy, they don't always use card in Portugal, but we do have an ATM in our local town just minutes from the hotel. 

6. Prepare for mosquitos at night, just in case; our sea breeze tends to keep them at bay but you never know.

7. We will most likely dine out on the orange grove terrace, a shawl or wrap or cardigan can be handy for chilly evenings. Many guests like to change for dinner, a simple smart-casual dress or shirt. The ethos for the retreat is relaxation so please feel free to come as you feel comfortable.

8. Maybe bring a book (we have plenty to borrow), a notebook and pen. We will have opportunities for journaling and reflection. Although Solar Alvura has excellent wifi we encourage a digital detox. The opening circle will have discussion around group ground rules for photos, social media and phone use during our group time and in group spaces; your private space is always available to you.

9. Bring your open mind! We’ll explore mindful consumption and mindful communication as we spend time getting quiet with ourselves. Let your retreat time be rich for discovery of new patterns of movement, behavior and thoughts. Bear in mind others are here to experience quiet time, we ask you to remain attentive to maintaining a peaceful atmosphere in our lovely chilled space.

Happy packing! xS

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Join us for a rejuvenating yoga retreat at Solar Alvura, where you can immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the Algarve. Our experienced instructor, Sylvia Ferguson, will guide you through daily yoga and meditation sessions, complemented by delicious and nutritious meals to nourish your body and soul. You'll also have access to our spa and wellness facilities, as well as the opportunity to explore the breathtaking natural surroundings through guided walks and hikes. Come unwind and find your inner peace at our idyllic yoga retreat. Please book by contacting Solar Alvura Health Hotel or let me know if you have any questions.

 

Nurture, Heal & Transform Yoga Retreat Dates

 

24-29 June 2023

15-20 July 2023

16-21 September 2023

28 October-2 November 2023

11-16 November 2023

10-15 February 2024

 

5 nights (6 days) Yoga Retreat

 

Prices start at €1062 per person sharing 

 

Solar Alvura Yoga Retreats are supportive, invitational and fun. They are designed by Sylvia Ferguson who has over 20 years of experience in teaching yoga.

 

Retreat includes:

 

Full use of the extensive facilities and optional group excursions with optional extra treatments, procedures and excursions available

5 nights luxury accommodation 

All meals

Alcohol free drink (cocktail) or one glass of wine or beer per meal

Twice daily yoga, meditation and mindfulness practices with all of your equipment provided, no need to bring your yoga mat unless you'd like to

Excursions with the group (depending on the time of year) beach days, hiking, a visit to a local olive farm, cooking demonstrations

Airport collection on arrival from Faro airport (only 25 minutes away)

 

Add ons:

 

Weight loss program 

Colonic hydrotherapy

Massage and all other Spa treatments

Airport drop off

 

We are expecting you to leave with a healthier body and mind having had the space to nurture and relax with the support of your group and your mentors. Your learning programme will include practices for daily meditations, yoga and mindfulness as well as education on nutrition. Our intention for you is that your practices explored on retreat could come home with you to be incorporated into your daily life: 5 Tibetans, Dr Eva's method of healthy daily maintenance diet, daily mindfulness practices. 

 

A typical day includes: 

 Sunrise meditation and yoga followed by a healthy indulgent breakfast

Time to chill or hike - wander through the orange grove or settle in a sun-lounger by the infinity pool

A healthy lunch

Afternoons for optional excursions or to enjoy the property, book a treatment, or relax by the pool or in the Hammam

Evening yoga or sunset meditation, or group Hammam depending on the time of year

A leisurely dinner

An evening star-lit stroll after dinner

 

Prices :

 

Classic room sharing €1062 per person

Classic room single €1450

 

Superior room sharing €1125 per person

Superior room single €1575

 

Superior room plus sharing €1200 per person

Superior room plus single €1725 

Please contact the hotel directly to pay your 50% deposit to secure your place. We look forward to welcoming you!

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The Three-Step Anchor Space is a mindfulness practice taught in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) courses. It is a brief mindfulness practice that aims to cultivate present-moment awareness and provide a sense of grounding. It consists of three steps and typically takes about three minutes to complete:

1. Step 1: Awareness of the Present Moment - Begin by intentionally bringing your attention to the present moment. You can do this by closing your eyes or keeping them open, and then simply notice and acknowledge your current thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment.

2. Step 2: Focusing on the breath or another anchor point of your choosing - Shift your attention to the sensation of your breath or the somewhere else in the body or the sounds around you. As best you can maintain your attention on your anchor while acknowledging it might drift and that’s ok, in that case you just gently guide it back.

3. Step 3: Expanding Awareness - In this final step, expand your awareness to include your entire body. Notice any bodily sensations, tension, or areas of discomfort, as well as any emotions or thoughts that arise. Try to hold a spacious and accepting awareness of your experience, allowing whatever arises to be present without trying to change it.

The Three-Step Anchor Space serves as a mini-meditation that can be practiced throughout the day to cultivate mindfulness and reconnect with the present moment. It helps individuals develop a greater awareness of their thoughts and emotions and fosters a more balanced and compassionate response to difficult experiences. You can hear Sylvia guide you through a Three-Step Anchor space on Soundcloud here. Please sign up for the newsletter on the homepage of sylviayoga.com to keep updated on classes, courses and events.

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Join us in Marlay Park this summer! An invitation to be courageous, curious, and ready to embrace whatever unpredictable adventure the Irish weather might offer us. Yoga, mindfulness, playfulness, relaxation.

Enter the Park at the main (Grange Road near Lidl) entrance and from the Car Park turn left. Walk over one bridge and you will see us on the left, near the big tree and the iron man statue.

9.30am-10.30am all summer long except concert days, June 23rd and 30th - no yoga those days.

Friday 12th May - Friday 1st September.

Of course we all love a sunny day with clear blue skies, and it often is. However our experiences of outdoor yoga are just as rich and meaningful when it’s dull or raining. As we know only too well with Irish weather we could easily have both climates in the same hour and it’s often hard to predict. Here are some things you can do to prepare to be comfortable and well prepared for your experience. 

• Prepare for all weathers. Bring warm removable layers. I suggest a vest, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt, a coat you can move in, a hat for sun, a hat for cold, shoes for rain, warm socks, your yoga mat, a small folded blanket (to sit on or throw over you), water and sunblock.

• I suggest arriving around 10 minutes early so you are relaxed and ready to enjoy the whole experience from the moment you enter the park. Of course it’s no problem if you find yourself running late, just join us when you can. The most important thing is your relaxation; it’s extra special if you can begin to experience it from the moment you arrive in your haven!

• I will adapt the class to suit the weather. My intention is to bring your body through it’s full range of motion for a big tension-releasing stretch everywhere! If it’s cold and wet we may just do this standing and then head off on our silent, mindful, tree-lined walk: forest-bathing. If it’s dry and/or sunny we’ll enjoy our movement on the mat. I feel we can all benefit from plenty of movement while soaking our senses in present-moment awareness and we have loads of creative ways to do both, whatever the weather!

• I teach classic hatha yoga with a dose of playfulness. All yoga poses are suitable for all levels, please chat to me at the beginning if you have any concerns. Every movement I suggest is options and I give plenty of options for all levels. It’s always fine to do your own thing on the mat!

• I teach mindfulness meditation as we practice. I have a Masters of Science in Mindfulness based interventions and will explore the skills for developing a mindfulness practice of your own.

• Please let me know if you have any feedback, any questions or any suggestions.

• Please note the events go ahead in the case of cold weather or light rain. In the case where the event does not take place due to really bad weather conditions a full refund will be issued.

Hope to see you in our little slices of heaven! 

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If you have trouble maintaining a healthy weight despite your best efforts, this is because weight gain is a complex process with many causes. A family history of weight issues, a diet high in processed foods and sugar, and being sedentary can all contribute to weight gain. Stress, struggles with mental health, some medications, poor sleep, and hormonal changes, are all factors that further contribute to weight gain.

There are many ways to combat excess weight, but there is no single solution. If you are trying to lose or maintain your weight, you may want to explore yoga. There is good research that yoga may help you manage stress, improve your mood, curb emotional eating, and create a community of support, all of which can help with weight loss and maintenance.

1. Yoga is healthy exercise. 

Yoga can help you burn calories, as well as increase your muscle mass and tone. Yoga may reduce joint pain, which in turn allows you to exercise more and increase your daily activities. These physical benefits are only some of the many benefits of yoga.

2. Yoga can help you manage stress that can impact weight gain.

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit word yuj, which means to unite the body, mind, and emotions. It is a holistic mind-body practice that improves many of the causes of weight gain.

Stress leads to an increase in the hormone cortisol. Cortisol increases abdominal fat, decreases muscle mass, causes cravings for fat and sugar-rich food, and thus can lead to obesity. Yoga can decrease stress and cortisol levels, enhance mood, decrease anxiety and depression, improve sleep, and improve chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Yoga is not a miracle cure for excess weight, but it may work on the underlying causes. Its benefits extend beyond the calories-in-versus-calories-out equation.

3. Yoga can improve mindfulness related to eating behaviours.

We all know that eating vegetables and lean protein is good for our health and weight. While this knowledge is necessary, it’s sometimes not enough to help us stick to our healthy eating plans.

One of yoga's benefits is that it improves mindfulness of the body and awareness of body sensations. This is why yoga is called Moving Meditation. Research shows that you don't have to do any formal sitting meditation to get the mindfulness benefits of yoga.

By improving mindfulness, yoga can help decrease emotional eating, stress eating and binge eating. A study published in 2015 showed that practicing yoga led to healthier eating, including lower fat intake and an increase in vegetables and whole grains.

In summary, the best diet plan is the one that you can stick with over the long term, and by improving mindfulness, yoga can help you make healthier food choices.

4. A yoga community can provide acceptance and support.

Yoga culture embodies kindness, support, and self-acceptance. On a yoga retreat you are invited to surround yourself with non-judgemental support for days on end. Research shows that social networks influence behaviours that affect weight. A welcoming yoga group may help you improve your self-esteem and confidence. Teachers can help beginners or those with physical limitations by modifying poses.

The benefits of yoga are universal — no matter what your shape or size. A yoga retreat can help you establish a yoga practice, and ongoing practice is key for long-lasting benefits

Sylvia Ferguson has been teaching yoga in Dublin for over 20 years and recently completed a Masters of Science in Mindfulness Based Interventions. She is one of Dublin’s favourite yoga teachers frequently hosting events in nature, finding ways to bring community together. Sylvia is a lead teacher trainer with Yoga Hub is leading yoga retreats in Solar Alvura Health Hotel in Portugal. 

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Dear Yoga friends,

I hope you are enjoying your Easter Bank Holiday; a bit of sunshine between the clouds and left-over eggs has me perfectly content for the day! It's been lovely to have a week of packed classes and a full workshop on Saturday at a time of year we might have all stepped completely away from yoga for the easter holidays. It's interested how our practices are more seamlessly blended with our lives now, and how they remain more steadfast in our routines even when the sunshine and the chocolate beckons! Balanced living … are we all getting a bit better at it, I wonder?

No class today; our new course is starting this Thursday in The Park Community Centre with a small number of spaces free; you are most welcome! Next Monday will be week 4 of our current course and new course sign-up. 

Monday 6.45pm, Thursday 6.45pm. One class €10, one course €35 for four weeks, all welcome. Do both courses for four weeks, eight classes, €60 (please select 6 at the link). 

Morning classes are ongoing in Ballyroan Community Centre, Tuesdays 10.45am, Thursdays 9.30am, drop  in spaces available. Classes run as usual this week, week 4 of current courses. Please confirm your next course this week, spaces available in both classes. 
Tuesday’s class is 10.45-11.45m; Thursday’s is 9.30-10.30am.

A four week course is €40. Drop-ins, when available, are €12. Courses run on an ongoing basis, you can join in any time. Sign up for both courses (two classes for four weeks, eight classes) for €70.

We will run straight through with no breaks over Easter and classes will continue for the summer. Outdoor yoga option: We will be in Marlay Park at 9.30am on Fridays beginning in May, you are most welcome. 

Live online yoga classes are on pause until September. 

We have a great selection of yoga workshops coming up, Full Moon meditations and Saturday morning workshops are held in nearby Mutton Lane Yoga Studio in the mountains, just 5-10 mins from Ballyroan. All upcoming events are listed on the events page of the website. Events can be booked via eventbrite here, please make use of the waiting list function. 

We will be back in Marlay Park for outdoor yoga on the grass from Friday 5th May, 9.30am-10.30am. Keep us in mind when you are making summer plans, we would be delighted to welcome you to the best hour of the week, it's always sunny then! 

Looking forward very much to seeing you on the mat this week.

Kindest regards,

Sylvia.

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What do you wish for yourself, for your life? Moving through life like a zombie, on autopilot, doing what is needed to make money, survive, eat sleep and repeat. Or living a full, rich, life, wide awake, full of choices, of moments of awe and wonder. 

In either case we will encounter difficulty, that is inevitable for all of us as humans. Sadness is inevitable, worry, stress; nobody has a life free of hassles. But we can choose to acknowledge this and create a way of being that is larger than the worry, we can move with it. 

This week we completed an 8-week MBSR course and spent some of our last session reflecting on the trajectory of the course and the changes that were apparent as we learnt and practiced. It’s not always easy, waking up to the full catastrophe of being human. After all, who wants to acknowledge there’s sadness present when we could busy ourselves along and pretend it’s not there? But in waking up to the sadness, and recognising it, a small degree of acceptance creeps in and a small bit of space emerges and we find ourselves open and receptive to other emotions, new ways of thinking and being in the world, new patterns of thought and behaviour. In waking up we live the life we were destined for, a life full of joy and opportunity and choices.

The practices are subtle and they are layered. In breathing out and letting go of the awareness of your big toe and moving on to awareness of your little toe you are carving new pathways in the brain and your capacity for greater awareness increases. Tiny bit by tiny bit, moment by moment, like a large bucket being filled with single drops of water. 

If you would like to know more about the 8-week MBSR course and what it entails please join us for an online information session on Wednesday 29th March at 10am. Our next course will start in May running in Mutton Lane on Wednesday mornings from 9.30am-12noon for an 8-week period and you would be most welcome.  I’m here for any questions, x Sylvia.

The Summer Day.

Who made the world?

Who made the swan, and the black bear?

Who made the grasshopper?

This grasshopper, I mean—

the one who has flung herself out of the grass,

the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,

who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down—

who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.

Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.

Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.

I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down

into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,

how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,

which is what I have been doing all day.

Tell me, what else should I have done?

Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

—Mary Oliver

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