I set out on my vision quest on March 1, 2014.  I had been on some adventures in my time.  I thought I could handle it.  I even thought I would be good at it.  Heck, I had slept outside on the lawn furniture one night to see the moon cross the sky!  I knew there was more to life than what everyone had settled for.  I couldn’t stay in civilization as it was.  I went in search of a new life in the unknown.

Not much time passed before I was very lost.  There were many times I was the equivalent of thirsty, hungry, cold, wet and feverish.  I was always afraid.  I wandered.  I searched.  Some things from my old life I happily discarded and some things I loved were wrenched from my grip.  I lost my dignity and grew vulnerable.  Even though I was surrounded by family and friends, I felt alone.

A long time passed.  After I had lost or given up everything, something finally shifted.  I started to feel differently, better, stronger.  I started to feel competent, even confident – living in the Wild.  It was no longer terrifying to not know where my next meal was coming from.  I no longer felt like I was wandering and lost.  It was more like I was guided by inner wisdom coming from some part of me that had been asleep.   I went from looking at the unknown with fear to loving its aliveness.  Even though it was unpredictable, I learned there were things I could count on – beauty, surprise, delight.  I could trust the Wild.

I live here now.  While I was lost, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to relate to people after what I’d been though.  It turns out that I am more available now than I ever was.  My journey has taken me away from civilization and directly to the heart of humanity.  Civilization hasn’t changed but I have.  Everyone is a friend.  Letting go of control allowed me to find connection everywhere.  Life springs out of the moment.  Opportunities are all around us all the time.  The Wild is home.