May 10, 2005

From the Road - Installment 11

Hello Friends.

Louisiana was FUN!!!!! I Love Fun! We got into Louisiana a couple nights early because of not needing to be in Missouri as long. The first night we went to the Preservation Jazz Hall and heard some fabulous musicians. Unlike most of the rest of the French Quarter, which is all commercialized and reeking of tourist trap, this place was a hole in the wall with absolutely nothing to offer except really good ragtime jazz. If you ever go to New Orleans, look it up for sure. Second night, my cousin recommended we go the Maple Leaf on Oak Street to hear a band called Rebirth. I thought it was funny that there was a maple leaf on oaka^??hI guess it is a tree thing. Anyway, I called information to get the address, but they showed no listing. I was highly disappointed, but not to be swayed from finding a good time somewhere, I called the front desk of the hotel where the Coachville conference was happening. I asked the man who answered the phone where to find some cool, funky jazz and he saida^?| The Maple Leaf! I said, a^?oeNo Way! I just called information for them, and they had no listing, do you know where it is?a^?? He did, and we went. The band was this totally cool funky jazz band, and we danced non-stop and had so much fun. Oh, how I love good music!

The music recharged my batteries, and I woke up excited to share with the Coachville conference. An incredible man, Lance Secretan was up before me. He made me laugh, cry, and touched on a lot of the same points that I had felt called to share. He talked about Higher Ground Leadership, with the keys to this being Courage, Authenticity, Service, Truth-Telling, Love, and Effectiveness. He was completely moving and inspiring. When it was my turn to be in front of everyone, I went up on stage and said, a^?oeAll I really want to say is, a^??Yeah, what Lance saida^?(TM) and then sit back down.a^?? I also thanked him for being a white European American male who has the courage and commitment to talk about these things. We need more men to have the courage to talk about love, authenticity, and service. Our world is literally dying for it. I felt so blessed to have had the opportunity to witness this wonderful man.

I did my best to invite the coaches in the room to consider making the whole world a better place through coachinga^??hnot just the lives of the client. To encourage themselves and their clients to move into the difficult places to find courage and clarity. To not run from adversity, but rather to embrace it as the learning and growing edge. To think about what it means to truly have a life of meaninga^??hone that includes all of life. To challenge stereotypes and labels and the ways in which we separate ourselves from the Earth and each other. To move past disposability consciousness, recognizing at the rate we are throwing our Earth away, coaching will become a non-relevant business. And to consider offering their unique skills as a free service to young people who live in underserved and undervalued communities, helping those young people become peer coaches to the other young people in their community. I offered this as an idea because in Louisiana, there is an awful juvenile justice system just like in California. My heart overflows with hope at the idea of all the skills that professional life coaches have being offered to young people in this way.

After the talk there were quite a few people who wanted to come check out the bus. We had a wonderful time showing them what is possible when we think outside of the box, get creative, and become resolutionary. We made some wonderful connections and left inspired and invigorated.

Now, we are on the road headed to Earth Elements Farm in Oklahoma. Ia^?(TM)m looking forward to being in a community setting, sharing with folks who are doing what they know to live in the ways that are in alignment with their values. It is important for us to get together, share ideas, encouragement, inspiration, and support. I am excited by the opportunity to serve this community.

Until next time, sending Love and Blessings,

Julia B

Posted by COL at 08:06 AM

May 10, 2005

From the Road - Installment 10

Hello Friends.

Visiting Fayetteville has filled my heart with so much joy. Much as I expected, a lot has changed and gotten over-developed, but some of the most wonderful aspects have stayed in tact. The farmera^?(TM)s market is bigger than before which is fabulous, the surrounding countryside and Ozarks are still so beautiful, and my friends, many of whom I havena^?(TM)t seen in years, are still people I feel close to. It was great to reconnect with them after all these years, and even though our lives are so different, feel connected still.

Most of them are married with kids, a concept that is completely foreign to me. I try to relate, but it is a challenge. I do not believe it is a conscious choice to be birthing children into this world, when there are so many children already here who need love and a home and dona^?(TM)t have them, and at same time, we are completely destroying the world we are bringing them into. I think it is sad, that we will be dumping our mess onto them, and long after we are gone, they will be left dealing with the consequences of our destructive choices. We spend so many resources of all kinds on having children, and I know that if we channeled that into taking better care of our world and the kids who are already here, our world would be a much better place. I had surgery years ago as my joyous commitment to this. Obviously, mine is not a popular view in this country. So I often feel torn because of course I love the children once they are born, but I always have the voice in the back of my mind that is sad at our disconnect.

Outside of the married with kids thing, though, my friends are still so wonderfully talented, funny, and caring. We reminisced over old times, caught up on what was new, and shared good food and laughter. One of the best parts was that I had friends from many different points of my lifea^??hbeginning with my first roommate all the way through college, after college, and my friends who I am traveling witha^??has well as my dad and older brother all in the same place together. Normally my life feels so segmenteda^??hthere is the a^?oeBT, DT, and ATa^?? of my lifea^??hBefore the Tree, During the Tree, and After the Tree. It was such a treat for me to have people from different parts of my life all together.

The bus crew and I went with two of my friends out into the countryside the next day to visit other friends who have an organic farm. Then, we traipsed through trails and fields and crossed streams to get to a neighbora^?(TM)s land where we sang and danced around the Maypole in celebration of Beltane, and we also honored the workers of the world, as this is their recognition day as well.

We backed out of my dear frienda^?(TM)s driveway that evening, hugged goodbye, and promptly got stuck between a rock wall and a ditch trying to maneuver out. It took about 15 minutes, a lot of prayer, and many close calls before we finally managed to barely squeeze our way through. It was quite the dramatic exit scene.

On the road, I sit with all that I have felt in the last two days. We packed much into a short period of time. I know I want to return to Fayetteville for a longer visit next time and before years pass by again. My heart is happy and my spirit is renewed as we head to Louisiana for Coachville and some fun.

Love,

Julia B

Posted by COL at 08:05 AM

May 3, 2005

From the Road - Installment 9

Hello Friends.

Life is full of twists and turns. It is important to remember to be flexible and unattacheda^??heven to the good things. It is interesting to be in Missouri again. I was born here, didna^?(TM)t stay long, but returned numerous times throughout my life. We came here this time planning on installing a a^?oegassifiera^?? to vaporize our compost and black water. When we got here, we found out that what was possible to install in the limited space on our bus wouldna^?(TM)t really accomplish what we had thought it would, so we chose to forgo this option for now. At first, it was slightly disappointing, although not very surprising considering how other parts of this conversion have gone. It can be really challenging working in the realms of new technologies and innovations, especially when there are a^?oemad scientistsa^?? in the mix requiring me to wade through what is fact and how much is hopeful possibility and speculation.

But in the midst of it all, I find that if I remain committed to finding something positive, more often than not, I do. This time, I realize how this potential conversion component got me to return to a place I love. Here where we are in Missouri, I am only 2 hours away from Fayetteville, Arkansas, where I spent two important years of my life and have some people who live there who are dear to me. I head there tomorrow morning to reconnect with the place and the people. Also, at the shop here, there is a welder who helps us fix our leaky fuel tanks. We have been operating at half fuel storage capacity because of this, so having all the tanks working (at least for now) is a true blessing. And finally, we scheduled a few days to be here to work on the gassifier, so since we are not doing it, we have time to also work on our fuel pump issues and bio-diesel gauge that had quit working early on in the trip.

If I had chosen to focus only on the problems, I know I would have had much to complain about. But it is amazing how with just a slight view adjustment, I can so easily find things to be thankful for. I love doing my best to be mindful of appreciating life. It makes life so much richer and more beautiful. This doesna^?(TM)t mean that everything feels perfect. I continue to have many challenges, including interpersonal dynamics that I sometimes find myself at a loss with how to move through. I strive so hard to be a living embodiment of my purpose to be a life of integrity and loving, joyous service. Yet sometimes, I just feel completely stuck. I guess that is what it means to be human. The beautiful thing is though, that if I remain committed to finding the positive, it helps me move through the a^?oeyuckya^?? feelings that being stuck leaves clinging to me. It is not just a light at the end of the tunnel. It is a light in the midst of the tunnel.

It is evening now, my hands are cold, but my heart is warm. Right before the last rays of sunshine disappeared into twilight, two bunny rabbits hopped across the field next to me, we finished work for the day, and the smell of garlic emanates from our tiny traveling kitchen. I am deeply grateful.

Love,
jb

Posted by COL at 03:48 PM

May 3, 2005

From the Road - Installment 8

Hello Friends,

Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio is a walk back in time. If there were no cars, it would feel slightly like the land that time forgot. It is beautiful here. Big, old trees, a river, small farms, cottages and buildings that look like castles from a bygone era. I imagine what it must have been like before even all of this. Back to when the Shawano (also known as the Shawnee) lived here. I feel privileged to be walking in the cool, crisp, clean breeze. I pray for the original people. I ask forgiveness for the violence and hatred of those who came before me and the ignorance of those who walk around the land today and forget that culture here stretches much further than the 4th generation farmers who are as rooted here as the big, old trees are.

We spend the afternoon in the local cafA(C) where the owners work with local farmers to purchase their food. It is so wonderful that here, in this remote location, really conscious, cool solutions are being created. Kate, the young woman who was instrumental in bringing us here, tells us about all that is happening on campus around connecting with local farmers for their food as well. She tells us about the mobilizing her school did around the last two elections, and how she loves the wide range of experiential learning and service she gets to do.

The event is filled to overflowing. The room gets hot and stuffy from all the bodies. I do my best not to lose my energy as well as give out extra energy to keep folks from falling asleep. I think it went well. It is hard for me to tell sometimes. There were a lot of good questions throughout the evening and many people stuck around afterwards to delve even deeper. Mercy For Animals and The Buckeye Council came to both Ohio events. It was really wonderful to connect with them and to witness their incredible commitment.

The friends from Mercy For Animals (.org) helped us find where to go in Columbus to score good grease and good food for ourselves. I love the experience of connecting with folks like this. My only pang of sadness comes from the fact that I never stay in one place long enough to really get to know people. It seems that is the story of much of my life, but now as I get older I find myself longing for roots. As much as I love helping and serving communities across the country, I find myself searching for ways to slow down, build community, and root. My new challenge with this is how to find the balance between all the things I feel called to do and the things I long to do.

We search for a while, looking for grease with no success. Then Brie finds her first score of beautiful, clean greasea^??halmost 100 gallons. I find 15 gallons of oil so clean I cana^?(TM)t believe they are getting rid of it. Brie has now been baptized in the church of grease and we sing hallelujah as our tanks are replenished, readying for the miles ahead.

Being in Ohio also brings back lots of memories from my younger years. I had my first big crush when I was 12 in Kingston, Ohio. I used to think the world centered in this state. I think back to that time and how I desperately wanted to be grown upa^??hI never felt like I fit in my body or my age. I forgot about this over the years, but now when I am here, it returns and makes me smile at how much different I experience the world now. Now, I am grown up (although some might differ with that) and it is not like what I thought it would be. But I like it anyway. I like feeling more grounded, less dependent on what others think of me as how I relate to myself. In some ways I am still that awkward 12 year-old girl, but somehow I feel I have found more grace along the way.

To end this particular, rambling blurb of a blog, I want to put a quote from Tecumseh, Chief of the Shawnee Nation. I learned of his story when I was a young, starry-eyed girl in Ohio many years ago. I longed then to somehow be able to transport myself back in time to be able to be by his side and learn from him. I now know part of my work is to learn from and honor original people, then and now, and to be a stand for justice and healing. May this powerful statement from Tecumseh remind us of our collective learning and responsibility, to the Earth, to each other, and to original people everywhere.

a^?oeSo live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.a^?? -- Chief Tecumseh, Shawnee Nation

love,

jb

Posted by COL at 03:47 PM

April 27, 2005

From the Road - Installment 7

It is another wonderful day on the road. I am so humbled, blessed, and overflowing with love and gratitude for my wonderful team. We laugh so much, even in the face of pretty overwhelming obstacles. We are constantly looking for the humor, appreciation, and joy in everything. And we usually dona^?(TM)t have to look far.

Delaware, OH was a fantastic stop. We had a great time hanging out with the Tree House folks during the day before our event. The Tree House was the main sponsoring group for our visit. Students who live in theme houses are required to create and carry through three projects a year that are in alignment with their mission. Mikaela chose to bring us as one of her projects. It was really a joy for me that we were able to answer her request and help her vision for a more engaged student body and community come to fruition.

The room was packed with college students, activist organizations, and extended community members. Many of the requests that people shared at the beginning were that they wanted to hear more about my tree-sit. At first, I was frustrated because I have been steering away from that over the years. I am more than just a^?oeThe woman who lived in a tree.a^?? After a while, I lose my inspiration if all I ever do is talk about the one action I am most known for. I, like all of us, have many facets to who I am. But then, I sat with my purpose and prayed. I knew that I needed to speak first where people are, so that I might invite them, and maybe even challenge them, to stretch further.

That reconnection to purpose helped me to go beyond my own human limitations. I realized how perfect it was in that moment that as I was asking others to stretch, so too should I. The event was powerful beyond my expectations. The people in the room came from so many different backgroundsa^??heverything from Bush supporters to Christians to Direct Action Activists. It was our opportunity to model what our Circle of Life is all about. I know some people did not like the conversation and left holding on pretty fiercely to their own beliefs. But overall, it felt like most of us in the room grew in our awareness, connection, and commitment.

Now, as we get ready to head out of town, we meet up with a man to purchase some bio-diesel. On the back of his work van is a Bush/Cheney sticker. Here we are again, looking at and challenging assumptionsa^??hour own and others. He is a nice man who cares about making a difference. It turns out he was in the audience last night. He reminds me yet again that we often have more in common than different. I still dona^?(TM)t know why he is a Bush supporter. I realize now, I wish I had asked. It can be really incredible and important to hear peoplea^?(TM)s views. I am going to have to be more mindful of this for the rest of the trip.

As we head out on the road to Kenyon College, we pass an old farm. On the grain silo is a peace sign. There is hope for our hurting world.

Love,
jb

Posted by COL at 10:39 AM

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