I don't think it is unusual for an individual to reach a stage in life where they begin to question purpose, the paths they have taken and the place they are at in life. For me, this began to happen a few years ago. Being a "go with the flow" type of person, I have just kind of floated where life has taken me. It has been a good river float and I don't have any complaints. But, I know now there is more to it. The last few years have found my eyes opening from a long sleep. I look around and I have started to see the problems. Ever convenience is taking it's toll. A toll on our resources, our collective health, our youth, our fundamentals, and more. I have started to see it, and I know we as a species has moved from our purpose. To quote Dante;
Midway upon the journey of our life
I found myself within a forest dark
for the straightforward path had been lost.
Maybe it is social and global medias that are bringing to attention all of the problems that were already there. But I don't think it is the case. It was never perfect, it probably never will be. But for every gain and step forward we make as a race, on another front, we are moving a step back. Mainstream media barely touches on what we are losing and only the occasional activist on social networks will voice opinions on the matter. We rush, we race. We trod on the earth and piss away it's gifts and never even see them in the process. We don't eat "food" anymore, but rather fill our bellies with engineered mush and chemicals that are prepackaged because we don't have time to think about personally attending to one of our most basic needs. We ignore our children and our families. We are selfish and need to attain, never thinking of the true cost of that gadget that really doesn't matter anyway. And once we are in the trap of the lifestyle, we find ourselves locked in the prison of our vehicle, traveling every morning, asleep and ignorant. Trapped in a modern society that has no substance.
It has been a slow awakening. And although easy to recognize some habits, it's harder yet to break them. How easy it is to forget the reusable shopping bags, only to arrive at the check out counter and say "darn". How easy it is to want to veg-out at the computer instead of packing a lunch is a reusable container. How easy it is to come home tired at the end of a work day and not feel like starting a little vegetable bed... How easy it is to be afraid of not being able to make a mortgage payment, so we take the safe route and stay in a career that has no joy, no purpose and only contributes to the wheel of consumerism and the path of our decline.
As I awake, I begin to dream again. I want to tell myself it is silly, I know so many people around me would scoff. But, it wasn't so long ago that what I want for myself and my family was the norm and not modern hippie-ism. Thankfully, more people are pursuing sustainable living and are experiencing the same awakening. I am not exploring a new frontier in itself, just a new frontier for myself.
My goal is to take our little 5 acres and turn it into a sustainable micro farm. I have a dream of not driving into an office in the morning. Instead, I will tend our vegatable plots and orchard. Instead, I will help nourish the land that nourishes us. Instead of poisoning the earth with another footprint, maybe I can on and with my little 5 acres, the way humanity was meant to coexist with our land. Instead of growing only for us, I dream that I will grow enough to sell locally grown, organic produce. In the evenings, instead of being worn from rushing and racing, I will do what I have always loved to do; create and make art. Maybe between these two endeavors, I will replace my income in enough of a manner that makes it sound financially and makes that infamous mortgage payment.
That is the new dream and this blog will be a witness of the journey.
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