Is moving away running away?

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Permalink Reply by Isfandarmudh Maggie on April 9, 2008 at 12:39pm

HI Kimberley, I have been living this question myself. To me this question sits within a broader question of what is it that we are here to do...specifically. And it is not a head question. If one's inner knowing and guidance calls one to hold the torch in dark places then that is what we do. And then one's longing for living in a natural setting gets met in other ways. As an example from my own life, I do this very thing as an exploration geologist in the oil and gas industry, doing the work in consultation with the Being of the planet in the most respectful, beautiful and honouring way I know how. I know that is what I am called to do.... for now... and I also know that it will change and I will eventually move to live in the woods, build an eco-home and make a mini-series for TV of the process. But now is not the time. Back to you. On the other hand, just because you CAN do something does not mean it is yours to do. There are so many hard and harsh situations on the planet that need people to step up and take heartful considered action, yet they are not all yours to do.... are they? The question is Why are you here?... What are you perfectly designed to do in the way that the world needs the most....that would light you up, and refine you. So, I dont have any answers for you... just more questions. To me the crux of the matter is to know your mission... and then live where you need to live.... to do what you came to do.... in the best way you know how. If one does not know what they are called to do then that is the next place to visit. I hope this helps. Blessings, Maggie

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Permalink Reply by Kimberley on April 10, 2008 at 8:54pm

Maggie, wow. thanks for your post. I am a learning and communication strategist for the oil and gas industry in Houston. I have come to the point in my life where I am in great pain over what i use my gifts in service of. All the while I realize that I am planting seeds everywhere I go in this industry. I open doors to authentic communication...challenge leaders directly on their policies of interaction with their employees...actively supporting leaders who are trying to do things differently. But it all feels like really small steps at a snails pace. I guess I am anxious...maybe that means something.

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Permalink Reply by Diane on April 9, 2008 at 1:37pm

As a fellow big city dweller I have to say, that if you can shine your positive human energy light in the city and be happy, then that is a very good thing. Our cities can all benefit from that. But sometimes we need to move on and you can still shine out your positive human energy from anywhere on the planet. If you do what is best for your own spirit, you will have the most to offer the world back.
The question you have to ask youself is: Are you running away from something? Or are you running toward something?
Peace.

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Permalink Reply by Sue Fox on April 9, 2008 at 2:00pm

Sometimes you travel the world to find happiness and it's been in your backyard the whole time.

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Permalink Reply by Leela on April 10, 2008 at 9:45am

You sound like a person who irregardless of where you live will make a difference, so I guess its really what changes you want to focus on. And my other consideration is how you wish to do that. I lived on 5 acres in OR for 25 years living lightly upon the earth, practicing organic permaculture, developing wonderful community gatherings and rituals, sharing my love of gardening, food and cooking with others. And there in Portland there are were so many like minded souls to work with on any particular activist project. I now reside in the LA desert in an intolerable and ailen climate to me and because I must divide my time between here and LA to care for my parents gardening is a thing of the past. Here in the desert where I am I also wonder how I can ever make a difference even in my own living practices and with not only no like minded souls around but outright opposition to things different. Yet I see that this very hurt piece of earth needs so much energy to help right herself and I struggle with how I can contribute. But , I will say it is very diffcult to do so in such isolation so I encourage you to keep that in mind wherever you choose to live. Even though I believe it is very important that all the earth changes needed are done so across the board it is very diffcult to not have the support and presence of others with the same desires. Leela

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Permalink Reply by Kimberley on April 10, 2008 at 8:58pm

Exactly, Leela. Quite right. It is the last sentence that makes me want to cry. This city needs so much love. No one here is even discussing peak oil because the impact of it here would be virtually catastrophic. We lived through Enron and it was brutal...but not even a drop in the bucket compared to what peak oil would bring. It feels lonely here watching all these distructive practices going on and not have the power to do anything about it.

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Permalink Reply by Afriendof B on April 10, 2008 at 9:12pm

HEY Kim,

I blog, and I occasionally participate in the Bioneers community. That keeps me connected to people who care about the same things I care about even though I live surrounded by corn and red neck, beer drinking, cousin-brothers. (not a nice way to describe my part of the world, but accurate from a certain point of view.) Connections are makable. Real connections, so worry less about that and more about doing what you love. If you love what your do, you will naturally draw kindred spirits to you, and the work will grow exponentially.

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Permalink Reply by Kimberley on April 11, 2008 at 5:45am

Afriend, I appreciate your steady support here. really. I have a question for you...How are your kids faring in rural america? do they have friends? do they go to the local school or are they homeschooled? how are you managing that? That part makes me most nervous of all. I have three really wonderful kids, but the culture they live in now is addictive and they are too young to discern how bad it is for them. I am afraid moving will be a little like coming off crack for them and I am not sure I am up for the withdrawal symptoms in all three. How are you guys faring?

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Permalink Reply by Afriendof B on April 11, 2008 at 7:17am

My kids are young and we have moved a lot, so in some ways they don't know what they are missing. We have done public school, private school, and home school. We have liked homeschool best and will be going back to it next year. It is a full time job for a parent however. That creates some real challenges, but where we are the other school options don't offer the quality of education we want. The kids have friends, but it takes a bit of effort. They can't walk down the block to play with someone. Everything is a ways away. Part of it is changing your mindset about what activities are important. Some we will drive quite a way to be involved in, some we won't. No easy answers, but the up side is worth the extra effort for us. Moving with older kids would be a lot harder. Depends a lot on what they like. If they are into the outdoors and animals, moving to the country could be great. It the mall plays a big part in their life they will hate it. Most of the same pressures you find in the city for kids exist here too, to some level.

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Permalink Reply by Kimberley on April 11, 2008 at 8:07am

man, you are killin' me AB! They are so removed from wild spaces that they do not even realize or have any context to understand what they are into and what they are not. I personally believe that the whole mall thing is a quick fix for something big that is missing. Shopping is something to plug up emptiness. but if it is all you have, you think you love it. How do you know you love something if you have never experienced it?

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Permalink Reply by Jack Knight on April 11, 2008 at 7:17am

Kimberly on the question of kids and removing them from the larger culture we found raising 4 kids and totally excluding pop culture, no tv no videio games no computer no fast food restaurants,and a rural school was just fine .(the schools however were in the upper mnidwest great education up here)Anyway they all turned out to be alternatively minded in multiple ways,three of them downright radical, all have great sensibilities about food issues, social justice,simple living, human rights. It worked great no regrets. If you let pop culture take over your kids it is counter to all the values you seem to express.

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Permalink Reply by Jack Knight on April 11, 2008 at 7:43am

On the larger scale the possible implications of such a move have been this ..first homesteaders,greens,artist and oudoor recreation enthusisasts "discover" a rural area and start moving there. This drives up land prices, makes a strain on and demands more infrastructure services(police fire roads schools) Rifts between locals and transplants inevitably occur,both with genuine complaints. The rural character erodes both visually and socially. All this takes decades to develop. Ive seen this many times. People in small towns and rural areas already have the community involvement, sense of lifelong friendships and sense of place that transplants aspire to. By moving into these areas it disrupts these very values.It is a real quandry. Im one of those local types,never moved. I get along well with both transplants and locals. Im putting this out as one more consideration.

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