Things look different now. Perhaps it's because the leaves have turned gold here too. Perhaps I'm simply more aware of what is around me.

I have learned and experienced much, and still need to reflect on some things.

Meanwhile, I learned:

...it is really easy to drift along; if I want to live consciously I must continually practice "awareness";

...Being on the "right road" is very comfortable and safe. There is a time to leave it however and risk a different road in order to get where I want to be;

...some things are different than others, which doesn't make one better or worst than the other....just different;

...the Earth is extremely precious and vital to our life and happiness; some people are taking very loving care of it. Let's join them!

...the aches and pains of aging (or other causes) are not good reasons to quit living or being creative.

...like a Prairie sky I want to expand my horizons and...like the BC Mountains, set healthy limits. In short, find balance.

...Creation is awesome!

...People tend to be friendly and helpful.

...we carry the Sacred within ourselves, and have the power to make the place we are a "sacred space";

...worrying is usually fruitless; (I didn't have to leave home to discover that!)

...most of what we need for life can fit inside a camper van;

...(I'll think of more! What about your thoughts? email to: bcoop at animail.net )

Other comments:

"As you said, the pilgrimage begins at home. It also continues at home. (Right. Continues, not ends.)"
Michael Anne - North Carolina

Michael also sent me these quotes:

Our life will be more satisfying and enjoyable if we seek out its richness, appreciating every varied and remarkable moment. Our fulfillment of life depends on our ability to fully appreciate the present.
(Peter A. McWilliams, in It's Nice to Know Someone Like You )

The mystic guides of Islam teach that "a person who has put a foot to the holy path must be content to travel like a turtle." For me at least, O God, this seems so true. Grant me patience, then, as I plod slowly toward wholeness and holiness. But also, make me eager to achieve a largeness of heart, a generosity of giving and a greater depth of humble service.
(Edward Hays, in Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim )

Go lightly, simply, Too much seriousness clouds the soul. Just go, and follow the flowing moment. Try not to cling to any experience. The depths of wonder open of themselves.
(Frederic Lehrman, Sacred Landscape )

Most of us simply live where we are, in the midst of crowds and the complex questions. Most of us have no other access to God and the good life except now, except here. The problem becomes discovering how to make here and now, right and holy for us. The here and now is all we have, any of us, out of which to make life worthwhile and God present and holiness a normal, rather than an unnatural way of life.
(Joan Chittister, OSB, in Wisdom Distilled from the Daily, Living the Rule of St. Benedict Today ) ----

Kia hora te marino, kia whakapapa pounamu te moana, kia tere ai te karohirohi i mua tonu i o koutou huarahi.
May the calm be widespread, may the sea be as the smooth surface of the greenstone, and may the rays of sunshine forever dance along your pathway.
(Maori Prayer, in Native Wisdom for White Minds: Daily Reflections Inspired by the N ative Peoples of the World, Anne Wilson Schaef, January 16)

The Creator designed us to learn by trial and error. The path of life we walk is very wide. Everything on the path is sacred -- what we do right is sacred -- but our mistakes are also sacred. This is the Creator's way of teaching spiritual people. To criticize ourselves when we make mistakes is not the Indian way. The definition of a spiritual person is someone who makes 30-50 mistakes each day and talks to the Creator after each one to see what to do next time. This is the way of the warrior.
(Don Coyhis, Mohican Writer and Consultant, in Native Wisdom for White Minds: Daily Reflections Inspired by the Native Peoples of the World, Anne Wilson Schaef, March 27) ----