Isolation and Connection

As I sit near the warm wood stove and look out at snow-capped peaks around me, it is quiet for a moment and I'm reflecting. Our situation has brought us to this rural, mountainous- cold but beautiful- place so that we can live with my Mom and her husband, and receive some much-needed support so that I can continue to heal and get stronger from this chronic illness. Let's not dwell on that though.

The point is, living in such a rural setting, with no television, movie theaters, malls, etc., it does take more effort to stay current with world events. Those that live here thrive under the 14,000 peaks, and next to tall trees, and long, meandering streams. It is a paradise. It is easy to get 'lost' in this wilderness. I suppose the same thing can happen in a city with plenty of connections to the world- we can get lost in the business and tall buildings and ignore what is really happening. People here say they love it. There is solace. Peace. Easily- found beauty all around. There is a pace that allows one to breathe and not get caught up in materialism or other city-like distractions. I find that although people here are, yes, incredibly kind; lovers of everything outdoors; but it is not necessarily a 'better' place to live. There is a thinking in our culture here that those who live or 'grow up' in rural places, or places with such magnanimous beauty, are somehow 'better' people. Or maybe more aware of what is real. But that doesn't mean they are aware of the world. And maybe that's the way some people need to live and their calling is to address the environmental issues outside their front door. Literally.

I have been lost in this peaceful beauty, caught up in the reality of the illness I face, and became disconnected from social networking, world events, calls for action, etc. I have to make a point to access the web in order to re-connect, etc. I realize how much effort it must take for my sisters around the globe who must walk miles to obtain web access and stay connected on a global scale.

So, I am taking this moment to make use of the web connections we do have here. To really 'see' the events unfolding around the world today. To connect with my WP community. Every so often I can look up and gaze at the immense beauty around, take a deep breath of mountain air, and re-center myself. Yes I want to take advantage of this lifestyle and take time to breathe. But not so much that I miss what is going on here in this online community.

Distractions are distractions no matter where you live. It is good to be distracted, so to speak, and take time to re-group. But I know for me it is in my blood to be connected with those I don't see every day. To know what is happening so that I may choose how to take action. Today my action will be to re-connect with WP sisters (and brothers, too). And I will stick my head out the door to see, feel, smell, inhale. It is possible to be both places and I am grateful for web connection so I can see, feel, and inhale the world, too.

Peace and Hope-

Michelle