Where we're at.

Chillin’ in the ‘dell has been nice to us as we practice the art of unwinding. We’ve been eating lots at family gatherings, catching up with old school friends and even getting into the city for some truly New Orleans style partying. The holidays in shorts and a tee shirt are very different especially with no beach around. It is not so hot that you don’t want to be outside but there are biting bugs to drive me in. Nearly all of the school friends are Julies’ as this is her home town and they are very curious what it is that we are doing. Always there is excitement for our travel plans and awe at the simplicity of moving around with a small home on wheels. The questions probe into the mystery of our choice to leave the great beauty of Vermont behind. We have some answers for the kinds of questions which come to why, what, and how but they don’t follow a logic which so much of our society desires.
Julie and I now have all our belongings in a 1981 VW Vanagon called Naranja. We put this scheme in motion earlier this summer after much meditation on our quality of life. Harnessing the power to make choices about our lives from a clear place within our hearts attracted us both. So rather than allowing circumstances to bring to the surface quality of life issues we are allowing our spirits the chance to pave the way. We want to bring conscious living into everyday practice. Mostly what this means for us is listening to the inner dialog of our heart, mind and ego. There are many subtle signs which show the way forward. So far we can say that the forward journey is the guardian which keeps fear at bay. When we have a day or more where the path is imperceptible to the light of our hearts we need not regret the choice to leave behind that which we have loved such as Vermont, for we know that that love which was also shall be. The forward path is not always traveled quick and straight. Some turns along the path require a slow pace or we might never negotiate them. Right now these are the turns of which Julie and I are becoming aware. We no longer felt satisfied careening along, a passenger on the rails of circumstance. To awaken consciousness from circumstantial living we have begun to surrender and forgive. We have a lot to learn about these powerful ways of being. And so for now we give ourselves a home on wheels, which likes to drive very slowly, from which to explore the variety of ways to surrender, forgive and love in this world.
In little more than a week we will be headed to the USVI to join my parents for more lessons in these practices. I still hope to catch you up on the adventure around the tip of Florida so stay tuned. Love Zach.