I’ve always been lucky. Even in birth I was lucky. Unfortunately, it took me over 30 years before I appreciated that fact. The journey started a long time ago. It has spanned continents, cultures and the vastness of the Universe itself. It even traversed the entirety of my being. I choose to tell my story, not as an example for anyone to follow. I definitely don’t recommend my course to anyone. Instead I offer it as a tale of triumph over training, and at the urging of many of the friends, family, and tribe I’ve been blessed to meet along my long road home. Thank you for seeing the light in me when I was overwhelmed with the weight of blame, shame, guilt, and fear I’d been convinced was mine. Mine simply for the sin of being born me. I’m sharing my story, not because it’ll make me look good. Especially since I’m sure, in many situations, I behaved in ways of which I’m not particularly proud. I’m sure many things I’ve done will make others judge me harshly. I know I usually do. Well, used to do but don’t anymore because it just doesn’t help anyone. On the other hand, there are those out there who may see their own struggles reflected in my story. Those who may find a kindred spirit and, together, perhaps we can discover hope for a brighter tomorrow. People who know the pain of heartbreak, the fear and darkness of chronic pain/illness, or the struggle to become a grounded, empowered, embodied, vital, grace-filled human being. For all of those people, my tribe, this story is for you. For everything in this world is always in flux. Change is the engine of evolution and an inevitable, inescapable part of nature; Our nature and the human experience. There is no need to fear change. Instead, by embracing it, we can become the architect of our future, instead of a slave to our past. Out of the darkness of fear, blame, and shame, there is a path toward the light. There is a path towards change, the Conscious evolution of yourself, your life and the very world itself. It is not always a comfortable path. Rather there are bound to be speed bumps along the way. However, we know together we can create a masterpiece. So let us shed our fear, our grief and our anger. Let us break free of the cycle of self-destruction to which modern life has accidentally gotten us addicted. Let us open ourselves to a future of our own creation. A world full of love, compassion, balance, harmony, grace, health, integrity and prosperity for ALL creatures. It is the terrifying idea of a different kind of future that led two professionals, in their prime earning years, to leave behind “The Dream”. Discarding modern society’s idea of success and the dream of penthouses, drivers, maids, dream vacations in Bali and Thailand, bucket list adventures, etc. for a different kind of life. A simple life, where connecting to nature is the norm, not the rarity, as it is many for so many living a thoroughly modern life. Since we had both worked, in our respective professions, towards environmental protection in developing economies for 20 or more years, we kept abreast of the latest research from across the globe. Several years ago it became obvious that we were “losing the war”, not to mention species, ecosystems, and global life support systems. We both agreed there was no more time to waste. There was no more we could give others, whom we had each chronically, and quite accidentally, pathologically chosen to put before ourselves. It was time for us to focus on ourselves and live in a way that made more sense to us, on every level: heart, mind, body and soul. This is the story of our experience transitioning from a “modern lifestyle” to a more sustainable, self-sufficient, empowered and embodied one. On this journey we’ve abandoned the ideas of mistakes, fault, failure, etc. Instead, we are explorers, experimenting and observing the results; reflecting, refining and observing some more. We are not suffering, nor living in a rain barrel, as some refer to our tiny house, s/v EOS. Instead, we are finding joy, peace, and fulfillment in remembering ourselves as part and parcel of nature. Learning what she has to teach and in awe of the beauty, grace, and magic that awaits in a life lived in harmony with our Mother.
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Michael Sylvester
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