in this life, i have often prided myself on exploring outside my comfort zone, believing that separating myself from what i already know offers the most fertile ground for growth. i have often detached myself from places, family, friends and lovers, imagining that in the next adventure, the next exotic place, the next remarkable person, i will expand my range, discover my wholeness.

it is rare a human who can blend a free spirit, a decisive nature, a deep respect for life, a love of nature and an uncomprimising sense of integrity into personal happiness. such individuals hear the heartbeat of wholeness.

you never change things by fighting the existing reality. to change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.

i am an admittied quote junkie. :) the first quote was given to my by melissa, (melissa lynn...me being alissa lyn. :) ) my nols instructor, the second i found in an old sketchbook that i took with my on my trip to serve as my journal, and the third is by buckminster fuller. i think i am still feeling somewhat overwhelmed by the world...everything that seemed so simple just one short week ago is now so complex again. in many ways it is impossible to describe my trip, beyond the tangible ways. but i will try...i hope to get the story of me getting lost in the woods later today...