“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase each other doesn’t make any sense.”
-Rumi
Where I consider home: Northern California
Why it matters for me to be on this expedition: A part of why it is so important for me to be on this expedition is because of the level of the unknown involved. It is an opportunity to engage with other individuals and the natural world (including our horse partners) in ways that I never have before and probably never will again. I want to develop an understanding of what effective leadership and community looks like through direct experience. Thus, leadership becomes an inherent and essential aspect of community development – not only as a leader of others, but a leader of oneself. Leadership becomes a way of being in relationship with others, rather than engaging in the manipulation of group dynamics through the application of theoretical techniques (not to deny their value). I believe that true leadership and social responsibility come out of an awareness and integrity of self. This is what I seek to explore and cultivate throughout this journey.
Influential book or movie: American Beauty opens my heart and mind in a new way each time I see it. It bluntly reveals the pathetic and mundane experience of existence while at the same time excavating deeper layers of beauty and preciousness in ever tiny little strand of life. Most of all it reminds me of how often I forget that life is so full of life and just bursting at the seams with beauty – even in those places where we are so often afraid to look. It reminds me to look life straight in the eye, smile and, well, either wrestle it to the ground or just let myself fall – I’m not quite sure.
If I could change one thing in the world it would be: I don’t know if I have the right or wisdom to decide what should change. I could jump on the bandwagon of world peace, equality, food, water and shelter for all, but… I think life is more complicated than that. But, if I were to pick one thing, it would be that people change where they look for happiness in this world. If we all could begin to more fully recognize that we are already whole and complete, I believe the transformation of the more external circumstances would follow.
