“Yes, that.” ❤️❤️❤️ I just put in my three-weeks’ notice at my corporate job this week, and told my landlord I’m leaving the city, for exactly this reason — the niggling sense in my body that to stop spending so much time on a computer and start spending it in nature will save my life. I have no idea what I’m doing or where I’m going, but I know that it is the right direction. It is closer to Real. Thank you for this affirmation 🧡🙏🏼
What an exciting time for you, Sophia. I have respect for anyone that moves outside of a known paradigm for the 'unkown' - just listening to their heart. This is so wonderful.
Aaaah! Forging hot iron, wordsmithing heart and honesty with gravitas Tara! In my language (Afrikaans) there is a word we use to express our wonder and wowness and relief that has no translation but gives out-breath as our emotional response and I literally said it out loud when I finished reading this: "Shjoh!" Pronounced Shaw but with. Short aw and the breathing out being the sound that continues until all the breath is out of your body before you breathe in again.
Isn't it great! And you can add as much gusto or as delicate a whisper to it as you like! Change it up depending on the context. We have some fun lingo in Afrikaans x
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."
Henry David Thoreau
To be certain, I have floated in & out of adhering to that wisdom, but the times I did were so very much worth it. I believe we all know when we are "on course" with our own values and beliefs, and living a life of integrity...and when we are not (for me, one of the most obvious signs is the difference in energy).
When I follow the herd, I feel as though I am being slowly dragged through an infinitely-large mud puddle every day...when I don't follow, I feel as if I can walk on that water, straight to the other side, unharmed...although I must admit that, during this "time of Covid," being un-vaxxed and un-masked has been especially challenging & often painfully lonely!
Being able to "tap in" to your beliefs, wisdom and experiences, provides me comfort in these times!
What a great way to put it, Steve. I share the same feelings. It can feel a little lonely, especially at times like these, to follow a different path, but the cost is just too high to ignore my true self.
I used to wonder if raising our kids the way we did, made life harder on them. I would see parents raising their kids to follow the script, and follow they did. High school, university, more university, job, marriage, work/work/work/work, buy/buy/buy/buy, try to get out of debt, have children and put them in daycare and keep working and pay other people to feed you... oof, everyone waiting for the midlife crisis.
We raised our kids to get comfortable with following the beat of their own drum, to not seek acceptance from outside of themselves. There's some painful lessons in there. And when they grow up, the painful lessons extend to worried parents who watch as they embark on all sorts of wild and wooly adventures. We sometimes wondered, "Did we do the right thing?" as their peers were in year three of university and they were somewhere in the world doing some weird job or studying some obscure new thing they were passionate about. They had no desire to do anything but follow their hearts. There was a lot for us as parents, having once had to untangle from much conditioning, to learn to let go of and trust in.
Today, I'd say they are more financially secure than most of their high school friends who went off to university. They buy their vehicles in cash and refuse to take on debt. They live simply, eat the best food, know true health, and they are always learning. One has side gigs sewing custom dresses for rich gals, beading intricate designs on lingerie, she does some nanny job, makes herbal medicines and flower essences, all while she is in full time school to be an acupuncturist. The other just got on with a union as a millwright. Her plan is to make enough money to build her own house in cash within the next few years. She'll do it.
Anyway, all that to say, no matter the person, I think there's friction in going against the grain. It's learning to understand that the friction is merely taking off the fray that didn't need to be there anyway. The great sandpapering of a life :) It's a great honour to be able to offer any bits of comfort in these times, thank you for thinking so.
We let our kids choose whether to go to school or not and now we have cowboys and lawyers and world travelers and a young Northmen hand sewing beaver boots... such diversity! Sometimes my husband and I look at each other and wonder, should we have taught them to conform? Ha ha. Obviously not, since he and I don't and don't want to. The more we trust them, they more they delight us. And they are so lovely and real to be friends with. Esse quam videri, always.
YES! to the comment about the "sandpaper!"...if we swam WITH the current, there'd be nothing to hone us, to sculpt us, to refine us.
Many of we humans seem to have two sort of conflicting drives or desires. One, to fit in somewhere. Two, to stand out from the crowd.
For the most part (at least in the West), we get to decide where to go and what to do with our lives. And what true riches and wealth really are for us. The financial security comes when we are sure we can take care of ourselves, regardless. I don't believe it comes at a certain level of income or size of bank account!
Skills, experience, competency & confidence will carry us through trying times. From what I've read, you kiddos are extremely well-prepared and on a blessed path to SELF-fulfillment, no matter the twists and turns in their road up ahead!
Love reading your essays on Saturday mornings. This makes me feel less alone. Knowing that following our intuition and trusting ourselves is right. I usually go against the norm and when I find those that do as well, it warms my heart. That encouragement to keep going, to leave what we “think” is the way to live can be hard to navigate, but leaves us with so much happiness. To know that we are teaching our little ones this path makes it worth it. Thank you! ❤️❤️
As with everything else I've read, from you, I walk away, having things to ponder, being inspired, challenged, and feel a deep sense of camaraderie with you and your family! Thank you for sharing. I breastfed my first (and next two) with similar lack of examples, support and knowledge but I listened to my intuition, probably for the first time, and have been developing it ever since. My first was born five and a half years ago so my journey is just beginning!
Incredible writing, Tara. So inspired by your conviction to thrive outside of the system. If you’re willing to share I would love to hear about Troy’s work within the healthcare system which seems to have many synthetic suits…how does he manage aspects of the work that feel at odds with his personal ideology?
I really have to get that guy to talk to me on some audio podcasts! But, quickly here, he works in Emergency medicine because that is where allopathic medicine shines and that is where his calm, steady temperament shines. :)
I like it. I feel all those same things tired of the crap they tell us to do or is right. Wish someone had given me advice on so many things.. but who knows I might not have listened at that age, but I am sure gonna try to live it and tell my kids and anyone who will listen how wrong their narrative and pushiness is.
I like the shotgun from your pants version. Thank you for your encouragement, and wisdom. I so look forward to your writing here snd your posts.
My dear Tara, you brought tears to my eyes....again. The narrative that you lay before us is so much my story. The pàth we walk is because of the challenges we faced and the answers we found....in our deeds, our work and our results. Not some hypothetical model that may create some sterile existence. We know what works because it is proven. And I never wanted to walk the road well traveled.
The tactics widely implemented to remove us from trusting ourselves/nature/god (kinda all the same thing) will always loom. I suppose the purpose is money, control, other boring things. The bus can leave. They can scream and flail. Let us stick with the magic.
It’s nice to know that in the world they are brothers and sisters who think a little bit like us and have decided to live a little bit like us and know what real joy is.
“Yes, that.” ❤️❤️❤️ I just put in my three-weeks’ notice at my corporate job this week, and told my landlord I’m leaving the city, for exactly this reason — the niggling sense in my body that to stop spending so much time on a computer and start spending it in nature will save my life. I have no idea what I’m doing or where I’m going, but I know that it is the right direction. It is closer to Real. Thank you for this affirmation 🧡🙏🏼
What an exciting time for you, Sophia. I have respect for anyone that moves outside of a known paradigm for the 'unkown' - just listening to their heart. This is so wonderful.
I am two years post-corporate. I welcome you on this path. It is strange and glorious.
Get after it!!! No ones gonna do it for you :)
Aaaah! Forging hot iron, wordsmithing heart and honesty with gravitas Tara! In my language (Afrikaans) there is a word we use to express our wonder and wowness and relief that has no translation but gives out-breath as our emotional response and I literally said it out loud when I finished reading this: "Shjoh!" Pronounced Shaw but with. Short aw and the breathing out being the sound that continues until all the breath is out of your body before you breathe in again.
Shjoh Tara!
I love this! My husband loved reading it to. Shjoh! I am going to use it so I can remember it. Thank you, Yvette!
Isn't it great! And you can add as much gusto or as delicate a whisper to it as you like! Change it up depending on the context. We have some fun lingo in Afrikaans x
Shjoh!!!!
I read this first quote about 50 years ago!
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."
Henry David Thoreau
To be certain, I have floated in & out of adhering to that wisdom, but the times I did were so very much worth it. I believe we all know when we are "on course" with our own values and beliefs, and living a life of integrity...and when we are not (for me, one of the most obvious signs is the difference in energy).
When I follow the herd, I feel as though I am being slowly dragged through an infinitely-large mud puddle every day...when I don't follow, I feel as if I can walk on that water, straight to the other side, unharmed...although I must admit that, during this "time of Covid," being un-vaxxed and un-masked has been especially challenging & often painfully lonely!
Being able to "tap in" to your beliefs, wisdom and experiences, provides me comfort in these times!
Thank you.
What a great way to put it, Steve. I share the same feelings. It can feel a little lonely, especially at times like these, to follow a different path, but the cost is just too high to ignore my true self.
I used to wonder if raising our kids the way we did, made life harder on them. I would see parents raising their kids to follow the script, and follow they did. High school, university, more university, job, marriage, work/work/work/work, buy/buy/buy/buy, try to get out of debt, have children and put them in daycare and keep working and pay other people to feed you... oof, everyone waiting for the midlife crisis.
We raised our kids to get comfortable with following the beat of their own drum, to not seek acceptance from outside of themselves. There's some painful lessons in there. And when they grow up, the painful lessons extend to worried parents who watch as they embark on all sorts of wild and wooly adventures. We sometimes wondered, "Did we do the right thing?" as their peers were in year three of university and they were somewhere in the world doing some weird job or studying some obscure new thing they were passionate about. They had no desire to do anything but follow their hearts. There was a lot for us as parents, having once had to untangle from much conditioning, to learn to let go of and trust in.
Today, I'd say they are more financially secure than most of their high school friends who went off to university. They buy their vehicles in cash and refuse to take on debt. They live simply, eat the best food, know true health, and they are always learning. One has side gigs sewing custom dresses for rich gals, beading intricate designs on lingerie, she does some nanny job, makes herbal medicines and flower essences, all while she is in full time school to be an acupuncturist. The other just got on with a union as a millwright. Her plan is to make enough money to build her own house in cash within the next few years. She'll do it.
Anyway, all that to say, no matter the person, I think there's friction in going against the grain. It's learning to understand that the friction is merely taking off the fray that didn't need to be there anyway. The great sandpapering of a life :) It's a great honour to be able to offer any bits of comfort in these times, thank you for thinking so.
We let our kids choose whether to go to school or not and now we have cowboys and lawyers and world travelers and a young Northmen hand sewing beaver boots... such diversity! Sometimes my husband and I look at each other and wonder, should we have taught them to conform? Ha ha. Obviously not, since he and I don't and don't want to. The more we trust them, they more they delight us. And they are so lovely and real to be friends with. Esse quam videri, always.
YES! to the comment about the "sandpaper!"...if we swam WITH the current, there'd be nothing to hone us, to sculpt us, to refine us.
Many of we humans seem to have two sort of conflicting drives or desires. One, to fit in somewhere. Two, to stand out from the crowd.
For the most part (at least in the West), we get to decide where to go and what to do with our lives. And what true riches and wealth really are for us. The financial security comes when we are sure we can take care of ourselves, regardless. I don't believe it comes at a certain level of income or size of bank account!
Skills, experience, competency & confidence will carry us through trying times. From what I've read, you kiddos are extremely well-prepared and on a blessed path to SELF-fulfillment, no matter the twists and turns in their road up ahead!
Gotta wear that unjabd and unmasxd energy with pride and integrity bro! We see you👊
Who feels it, knows it.
Yes, indeed, Andy! Funny that most of the "evil looks" that come my way are from old ladies...All of this for what is now basically a common cold...
It’s not “evil”. It’s scared. The propaganda has got the best of em. Poor souls. Never stood a chance unfortunately.
Love reading your essays on Saturday mornings. This makes me feel less alone. Knowing that following our intuition and trusting ourselves is right. I usually go against the norm and when I find those that do as well, it warms my heart. That encouragement to keep going, to leave what we “think” is the way to live can be hard to navigate, but leaves us with so much happiness. To know that we are teaching our little ones this path makes it worth it. Thank you! ❤️❤️
Thank you, Katharine. Your little ones are so blessed to have landed with you.
As with everything else I've read, from you, I walk away, having things to ponder, being inspired, challenged, and feel a deep sense of camaraderie with you and your family! Thank you for sharing. I breastfed my first (and next two) with similar lack of examples, support and knowledge but I listened to my intuition, probably for the first time, and have been developing it ever since. My first was born five and a half years ago so my journey is just beginning!
Thank you, Chantilly. It makes me happy to read this. :)
“Get busy livin’ or get busy dyin’” - Andy Dufresne
Pure, raw, unfiltered, elegant - the word made flesh. This is Wendell Berry manifesto worthy. :)
Not quite, but thank you for such kind words, Kathleen :)
Incredible writing, Tara. So inspired by your conviction to thrive outside of the system. If you’re willing to share I would love to hear about Troy’s work within the healthcare system which seems to have many synthetic suits…how does he manage aspects of the work that feel at odds with his personal ideology?
I really have to get that guy to talk to me on some audio podcasts! But, quickly here, he works in Emergency medicine because that is where allopathic medicine shines and that is where his calm, steady temperament shines. :)
Shots fired! Yaaaaasssssss! So much yes! Well done! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾Once again, delicious mouth watering writing. What a wonderful reminder to stand firm!
Thank you, Tracie :)
Truth Tara.
I am so so grateful for you and what you share.
I like it. I feel all those same things tired of the crap they tell us to do or is right. Wish someone had given me advice on so many things.. but who knows I might not have listened at that age, but I am sure gonna try to live it and tell my kids and anyone who will listen how wrong their narrative and pushiness is.
I like the shotgun from your pants version. Thank you for your encouragement, and wisdom. I so look forward to your writing here snd your posts.
:) Thank you, Julieanne.
My dear Tara, you brought tears to my eyes....again. The narrative that you lay before us is so much my story. The pàth we walk is because of the challenges we faced and the answers we found....in our deeds, our work and our results. Not some hypothetical model that may create some sterile existence. We know what works because it is proven. And I never wanted to walk the road well traveled.
I'm so glad to connect to that part of you, Bonnie and I am so grateful for another human following their heart with courage and determination.
The tactics widely implemented to remove us from trusting ourselves/nature/god (kinda all the same thing) will always loom. I suppose the purpose is money, control, other boring things. The bus can leave. They can scream and flail. Let us stick with the magic.
bye bye bus xo
what wonderful and well written words!!!
It’s nice to know that in the world they are brothers and sisters who think a little bit like us and have decided to live a little bit like us and know what real joy is.
I agree.