Putting Down Roots

I have been a wanderer most of my life, never quite knowing how long I will be someplace. I enjoy the journey, but don’t put down many roots. I am ready for a change. I am ready to put down roots. This feels like a big deal. It is something that I have struggled with creating because of fear of pulling up my roots someday. I feel like my roots are fragile like a zucchini’s roots that do not like to be transplanted. But I feel a call, now is the time to put my roots down and let them spread. I need to trust, have faith that all will be perfect.

From my earliest memories of spending time on my aunt and uncle's farm I have wanted to farm. I loved learning how to take care of the animals and work in the gardens. I felt my humanness being fulfilled as I partook in the cycles of life and death on the farm. Then as a teenager and young adult I learned lifeways of connecting with the earth, being a caretaker and receiving the earth's abundance. I still want to raise animals and have gardens but my perspective has grown to include the question, “How can I do those things in a way that actually makes the land healthier?” I am inspired by Joel Salatin, and seek to learn more about his practices that allow animals to live their best life and help the ecosystem become healthier. 

Along with growing roots is growing my ecosystem. I’ve lived in western North Carolina for about four years and I’m surprised at how root bound I am. I haven’t gotten to know many people, my pattern of not going out to events has not helped that! I am content being alone and would say I’m more introverted than extroverted. Maybe an introverted extrovert, or would I be an extroverted introvert? I believe labels can be helpful to gain awareness and perspective, but then the label can be limiting. So whether I’m an introverted extrovert, or an extroverted introvert I know I need a balance of engaging with other people, and spending solo time in nature to rejuvenate.

I have many questions I am asking, and have not come up with any answers yet, but that's okay, it keeps me asking questions. Here are some of my questions from today. How can I start making choices differently to meet more people? How can I network locally and bring earth skills to more people? Where do I look for people that are looking to co-create programs? How can I grow an ecosystem?

This is an area for me to learn about, an area for me to grow into. I want to reach people who haven't had access to these skills, this way of living that is about being in connection with ourselves, others and the earth. A lifeway of being a caretaker of the earth.

What is your area of growth today?