Natasha Klemek

Before you know what kindness really is you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
— Kindness by Naomi Shihab Nye

Where I consider home: Eastern Pennsylvania

Why it matters for me to be on this expedition:
For me, this expedition is an amazing opportunity to further my interest in how individuals can exist together in a healthy, engaging and sustainable way. As I hope to graduate with a self-designed major in Sustainability Studies (or something along those lines), this experiment will undoubtedly further my knowledge of issues of social and ecological health.

Influential book or movie: Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. The story is a compassionate reminder of the importance of experience, of trying and failing; and how the accumulation of positive and negative experiences forms a foundation for enlightenment, or any peaceably world-shaking “ah-ha” moment.

If I could change one thing in the world it would be: I would want humanity to be able to take a step back from our desires; to be able to evaluate the repercussions of our actions. To be able to let go of the blind hunger for things, and calmly reflect whether the consequences of our getting what we want undermines the well-being of other creatures and systems.

To read about Natasha’s experiences on the expedition, click here.