| Susie, Living on the west coast this past year has been a perspective-shifting experience. It has opened my eyes to climate change in a real way. Part of why our family chose to leave the desert (Bend, OR.) two years ago was due to the constant smoke and terrible air quality. There was no longer a smoke "season"- it was year round. It was hard on the body, mind and spirit and not being able to freely explore in nature felt unbearable. We gave up all our air-purifiers and ventilation masks and moved to a small rural-ish town 45 min outside of Portland, Oregon. We were shocked to learn that this wasn't the solution either.
Apparently you can't "out run" climate change.
Last September, we almost lost our home to an encroaching fire and had to flee our home during covid for two weeks. Last winter we experienced a historic ice storm and lost of power in freezing conditions for over a week. (When it's snowy in Portland that means ice. You can't drive away from the problems.) Now, we are having stifling summer heat waves of 117 degrees. We don't have air conditioning in our 100-year-old farmhouse. We are ethically opposed to it; not wanting to damage the earth any further. Each time an environmental event happens, we are working to keep our chickens and dogs alive in what feels like harrowing conditions. I remember the night we came home after a heat wave broke at midnight. It began to rain and people were dancing in the street, crying with relief. (I don't even have the breath in me to mention Covid. That's for another day.) So as we contemplate maybe another move, we recognize there is no straight answer.
I learn from my clients who live all over this great earth, that I need to have a flexible vs fixed perspective as I ask the question, "where is it in my highest good to live?" I am choosing to think of this next chapter on earth as a process of migration instead of some re-location where I then plop myself down and never leave again.
Today, I call upon my ancestors who where incredible at moving around, hahahah! Or to adapting to where they were forced to move. My DNA mapping is diverse: Ireland, Korea, North Africa, Argentina, France, Italy, Spain and the freaking Andes! I run my energy and tell my ancestors how grateful I am for their protection and for the little plot of land I get to garden on and steward. I invite their wisdom, to illuminate the path towards a place that is more in alignment. I ask for the information to be gentle and clear, 'cuz, holy shit I want to rest up for a bit!
Blessings to you all, my fellow humans, and may we move into healing the earth more peacefully and with so much grace. Love, Liliana
|
