Back to my Future

(Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage)

At work, the weeks leading up to spring break were filled with much activity and the usual hectic pace. I am glad that we all have a week away to recharge prior to the fourth quarter. I know many people who have gone to warmer places. I traveled as well but not as far, arriving back at Dancing Rabbit for my fourth time here. As soon as I got out of my car, I felt like I was home.

The more time I spent out in socitey as a whole, the more I realize that we cannot sustain our systems in the way that we are. I don't like the way I feel as part of the rat race and I find my feelings manifest in ugly ways. I really need to concentrate sometimes to stay kind and positive. For example, yesterday I was in a store that had a roped area for a line of customers waiting to check out. When the next clerk was available, she would call out to the person waiting. The line and the wait were both short. I noticed I was next and in the time it took for me to look away briefly, someone came up to the register from the side. At first I was indignant. I almost called out to him and to the clerk. But I had already ascertained that this guy didn't know and the clerk seemed new and perhaps wasn't paying attention. I know some would say I should have said something so they both could have learned but in the end, I just waited a couple more minutes. I felt this was a more kind thing to do.

Another way I see our world as being unsustainable is with traffic. People are too often in a hurry. On the roads, I feel that some drive at too unsafe of speeds, especially in bad weather. Cedar Rapids, Iowa had a a major snowstorm into Saturday night. They were predicting a foot of snow and high winds. I am glad that I did not leave last night. Today the roads were clear for my travels but I saw over twenty vehicles in the ditches around the city. I think we all just need to slow down!

Although I've driven here four times, I've varied the route a bit. I always like it when I see the welcome to Missouri sign, then I know I am close to the ecovillage.

Part of my goal with this journey was to bring some things to store here for when I am here this summer. Another part of my goal was to reconnect with the earth. With the temperature at 48 it was lovely to wander around the village and down to the pond. The ground is quite muddy but it is fine for walking with the correct footwear. I'm still trying to decide my path for the next year or two and this is the perfect place for me to quiet my mind and listen.

This week I am staying in the same space I will be using this summer, Sparrows Nest. Liz has been working on fixing the place up and it is adorable! I am excited to stay there this week, as well as this summer! This will be a comfortable place to sleep, as well as a cozy space for me to retreat to when I need some time alone.

There is even a small shed in the back where I can keep some of my things. Liz will be renting this space out to other visitors when I am not occupying it. I took a break from writing this to play the grand piano that is here in the community house. It has such a lovely sound and over the years I have learned that playing random cords for a while helps me to zero in on my thoughts and give an outlet for some of my emotions. Bring on the next five days!