Interlude of Ruminations on Place - HERE and THERE


I began blogging again for three specific reasons.  1.  I needed to process some major life decisions and writing is for me... always a good way to clarify and reflect.  2.  Believing I have some talent in the art of letters... I wanted to share in a manner that hopefully is helpful on occasion at least to one other person. 3.  Having retired and done some van travel... the concept of PLACE secured itself securely in my mind and heart, and I desire to explore all aspects of that earthly idea in more detail.  

Today I read an excellent devotion from one of the brothers at SSJE (Society of St. John the Evangelist) that spoke to the idea of contentment and roots.  It was a most apropos guide to the thoughts I've had as of late.  https://www.ssje.org/2019/02/17/under-the-weather-of-the-world-br-nicholas-bartoli/?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=58180342&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--nmH-72HBZYadZfcJRY9AHG8fa1U5CUte1WiG7k4dFxkrlJIzMwYqW6vaCK6R2_XyloJYvc4b0omEWCZdP_g8s4EkuAA&utm_content=57640549&utm_source=hs_email

Yes, that's a pretty long link, and if you aren't into reading it or listening, allow me to summarize please; A couple of trees are having a conversation about one's dissatisfaction with it's current place.... roots.  Nothing is right for that young tree.  The weather is unpredictable, the cold is sometimes unbearable, the surroundings are not perfect, in short.... the young tree is not happy being planted where it is at.  Wisdom dances within the conversation with an elder tree who has seen much. There is no recommendation or answer other than this....GOD orders life if one allows it and if HE has so ordered a situation of rootedness... find a way to be content.  Well isn't that just great!  (Says this youngish tree that is currently casting about for another place to plant roots!)

Place shapes us.... there is no doubt.  I've written about Pueblo where I was born and raised.  The high desert... heat, temperate winters, dry air, much culture and diversity if not in landscape... then in people types.  I grew up in a family business... a motel to be exact.  That place exposed me to travelers, a widely varied array of humanity, independence in earning a living (my parents owned the place),  and a love for exploring into wider places that I heard of.  I once commented to my sponsor in a recovery program, that I was afraid GOD was going to arrange for me to "Gypsy around" some more.  Indeed, that premonition came to fruition when I ended up and spending 4 years living in two countries and traveling extensively.   https://www.blogger.com/blog/posts/247560240749331479?hl=en     I've been back in the US for about 5 1/2 years.  I first settled in Pueblo, then moved to a place called Priest River Idaho which will come up in my next posts or two.  

Currently I reside on the riverbank of the wide Pend Oreille River in a tiny house located in eastern Washington state.  I have LOVED living here in this tiny.  It has not always been easy however and the season of winter magnifies the inconveniences and difficulties.  

The other three seasons are MARVELOUS and BEAUTIFUL.  Living here is inexpensive.  The operating costs of having my tiny are minimal. When I write about my transition to this current place of residence... I will expound at length for those interested in Tiny House Living.  In the meantime, I am trying to make a decision about staying or leaving... and that has been a process fraught with ups and downs and back and forth ruminations.  Am I being a weak elm sapling, clamoring for a "better" place for my roots?  Or am I like a migratory animal... needing to wander - driven to constantly changing my environment, always seeking stasis?  Or am I simply lonely and yearning for a place where I have a history and many friends?  What is the best decision?  What is GOD's will? In a perfect world I would have BOTH... but this is not a perfect world yet.  

So dear reader.... what is your wisdom?  In counseling there is an ethical decision making process developed by a psychologist named Kitchener in the 80's.  It is my favored framework for all major decision making and I've utilized it often in my life.  The model centers around 5 ethical principles: Autonomy, Non-maleficence, Beneficence, Justice & Fidelity. Decisions A & B are both scored with regards to each aspect and then a clearer picture of possible consequences of either decision should come into focus with clarity.  I've not put pen to paper yet with regard to the question of "should I stay or should I go". But I will. 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN1WwnEDWAM

Clash aside.... today it is sunny and a "warm" 43 degrees!  Last week I visited the other place and the high was 65 degrees with no snow.  But I am not now at that "other place".  I am here and I have some tasks before me.  Keep me in your thoughts friends...

To Wise Decisions! 

"Further on up, Further on in!"










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