The Journey Begins... Again

I started this blog as a personal journal with my relationship to this planet. I was on this journey before. I do remember. In high school and in college. I became active in the environmental and human rights movement. I really enjoyed this time and my love for the earth, animals and people was immense.

Although I kept up with things throughout the years, I feel some of my adventures took me off the path, broken my spirit and I also feel that where I was living I began to experience a disconnection from nature. Although I loved my friends and family in Florida, being surrounded by strip malls, concrete and asphalt everywhere was truly effecting my spirit. Also breathing in exhaust on my walks and the absence of the change of seasons saddened me on a deep level. I became numb in my environment, lost and dying. As my story is told in my other blog, little crumbs were thrown on the path for me and my family to make a very big move to a place I never thought I would live. The fire grew in my belly but I ignored it many days until I was totally a blaze. I thought it impossible to be happening. But, the earth spirit kept calling me relentlessly and I after years of fighting, I put my fists down and answered back, "OK!"I surrendered and that is when circumstances begin to flow like tubing downstream on a river.

My move to Tennessee is one of the best decisions I ever followed in my life. Through my doubts, concerns and fears of such a blind move I am beginning to understand why I am here as I feel a change happening in my soul, a healing, a calling back to who I truly am. It is a great joy to feel energy in a new way. I believe that the land is incredibly powerful and when we live where we match that energy it does wonders for our soul. This is what is happening to me now. I feel uplifted, inspired, loved, and inner joy I have long missed. I mean, I sit here on this rainy day looking out on beautiful trees, leaves, a lake, smelling the freshest of air and I just smile in awe and total gratefulness. This is all I have dreamed for such a long time.

So this journey with my old friend, the earth, begins again. This blog is a record of the things I encounter through food, shopping, hiking, activism, politics, cooking, cleaning, community, farmer's markets, and other adventures. It is my friend the earth and myself taking hands and beginning new steps together.

It is my journey to awareness and you are welcome to come a long with me. I am not out to force anyone to change. I realize I must change myself and live by example and we all have that choice to be inspired and make changes ourselves. I can only hope that these writings will inspire you too, on your earth journey, to begin the process of remembering your relationship with your old friend and how to take care of her in better ways. So come along as I encounter new ways to cook, clean, help, live, and enjoy this wonderful earth! It is going to be lots of fun!