Interesting post from the Rewild blog: Discussion of Feral Christianity
Definitely worth checking out and I plan to do some more investigating and research on this subject matter.
December 22, 2009
Second Cocoon
If Tracker School was a time of awakening for me then my time thus far at Wilderness Awareness School has been one of entering the second cocoon.
The Pacific Northwest has taught me that not everything nor every experience can be articulated into understandable tangible terms. I recently was made more aware of this reality when I had a rather lengthy discussion with someone (I believe) has no capacity for understanding the journey that I am undergoing. I found myself getting frustrated because I couldn't better describe my experience.
Enter the poetry of Mary Oliver, especially the one in my previous post. I think if I had those words readily available to me then I might have been able to better communicate my journey. A note to self: carry that poem with you so that you might better communicate in the future.
I was fully aware of what I was getting myself into when I left Illinois a little over 3 months ago. I knew that this time would develop and push my wilderness skills to new depths and I also knew that my marriage would be stretched and would grow stronger as a result. Both have certainly happened! I also might have told you then that I thought there would be an element of spiritual growth as well; but I never thought that most of my development has been one of a spiritual nature and I liken it to a rite of passage that I have not had up until this point in my life. This is why I feel that what is happening is an entering of the second cocoon. So much of what is happening to me right now cannot be explained and it rightly feels like a rebirth or better said a returning to a time when life was being lived to the fullest.
Another significant shift that occurred didn't make itself known until I came back home for Thanksgiving. My time spent in the church suddenly felt as though I didn't belong. This wasn't just somewhat of a notion that I had, it was felt deep in my blood and bones, something that I have never felt before. I'm in the process of discerning what that means...
I believe that I've entered the "wild night" in my life as Oliver put it. And any attempt to try and define or explain what is happening will be a shortcoming of the experience itself. Maybe I'm better off just reading the poem and not getting into too many specifics. What I'm doing now is saving myself so that I will be able to live the rest of my life from the depths of my heart.
The best response I've been able to come up with at this time when asked "Tell me about what you're doing," has been to simply say "Come and spend a day with me in the woods, and you'll see."
December 21, 2009
Saving My Life
One day you finally knew
- The Journey by Mary Oliver
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.- The Journey by Mary Oliver
Backbone Forming
I have been wanting to post a reflection for some time now but kept putting it off because I was not given the words to name and claim my experience. It was also because of some hesitancy on my part. You see I've largely been a passive person in life and this has often kept me from living from the depths of my heart.
And so a big part of what has happened to me (and is continuing to happen to me) during my time thus far at Wilderness Awareness School is that I am becoming a more assertive person and my fear of what other people might think is taking more and more of a back seat to honesty... with myself and with others. So in terms of the next post, I will be forthcoming in my reflections and really try to name my experience.
The other thing that it will likely do is confuse or fluster those folks who have a strong Christian worldview, which is more than okay with me at this point, as I have watered down my experience thus far by trying to pander my language to make it user-friendly to Christians. That being said, it is important to remember that I've not given up on the church, I've just walked away from it for a time (think John the Baptist). I've often wondered how many prophetic voices we aren't hearing because they aren't in the church. And maybe that is where I'll find my voice...
And so a big part of what has happened to me (and is continuing to happen to me) during my time thus far at Wilderness Awareness School is that I am becoming a more assertive person and my fear of what other people might think is taking more and more of a back seat to honesty... with myself and with others. So in terms of the next post, I will be forthcoming in my reflections and really try to name my experience.
The other thing that it will likely do is confuse or fluster those folks who have a strong Christian worldview, which is more than okay with me at this point, as I have watered down my experience thus far by trying to pander my language to make it user-friendly to Christians. That being said, it is important to remember that I've not given up on the church, I've just walked away from it for a time (think John the Baptist). I've often wondered how many prophetic voices we aren't hearing because they aren't in the church. And maybe that is where I'll find my voice...
November 24, 2009
Awakening Old Powers Within
Bird Language is one of the 6 core studies that we are learning at Wilderness Awareness School.
November 02, 2009
Where You Are
A poem that was read to us during our orienteering class.
It is entitled "Lost" by David Wagoner
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
It is entitled "Lost" by David Wagoner
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
October 27, 2009
Mad Crazy Adventures
Just a list of the things I've experienced with WAS (which has a new website to check out!):
- made a bow drill kit from materials harvested off the land (yes, I have gotten coals)
- learned the 5 voices of the birds
- learned the different shapes of bird alarms
- tracked some great mammals that aren't present in the Midwest
- spent a week at the Oregon Dunes for a tracking expedition
- trailed a raccoon for almost 2 miles!
- bushwhacked on my hands and knees for nearly an hour
- saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time
- learned plant taxonomy and herbal & medicinal uses
- made or tasted Oregon grape, rose hip and western red cedar medicinal tinctures
- spent a day harvesting wild edibles
- spent a day learning to prepare and cook the edibles we harvested
- made some mullein tea that kept me from getting bronchitis
- bashing rocks and primitive stone tool working
- sword tossing and Jedi mind tricks (awareness activities)
- skinned a raccoon
- made a primitive fishing spear
- having a secret spot that is all my own that I visit up to 5 times a week
- made a great network of friends and folks affiliated with WAS and a ton of other things that I am forgetting or are too deep to get into right now
We are halfway through the first semester and it looks to be an epic second half as well.... not to mention the fact that I get to spend time with my beautiful wife!!
- made a bow drill kit from materials harvested off the land (yes, I have gotten coals)
- learned the 5 voices of the birds
- learned the different shapes of bird alarms
- tracked some great mammals that aren't present in the Midwest
- spent a week at the Oregon Dunes for a tracking expedition
- trailed a raccoon for almost 2 miles!
- bushwhacked on my hands and knees for nearly an hour
- saw the Pacific Ocean for the first time
- learned plant taxonomy and herbal & medicinal uses
- made or tasted Oregon grape, rose hip and western red cedar medicinal tinctures
- spent a day harvesting wild edibles
- spent a day learning to prepare and cook the edibles we harvested
- made some mullein tea that kept me from getting bronchitis
- bashing rocks and primitive stone tool working
- sword tossing and Jedi mind tricks (awareness activities)
- skinned a raccoon
- made a primitive fishing spear
- having a secret spot that is all my own that I visit up to 5 times a week
- made a great network of friends and folks affiliated with WAS and a ton of other things that I am forgetting or are too deep to get into right now
We are halfway through the first semester and it looks to be an epic second half as well.... not to mention the fact that I get to spend time with my beautiful wife!!
September 27, 2009
Living Life Alive!!!
Hey everyone! It's been awhile since I posted but wanted to let you know that I plan to start posting more now that I'm settling in here in the Pacific North West. Look for cool posts, reflections and thoughts as I am mentored into a deeper relationship with the natural world and the awesome community that I am forming out here at Wilderness Awareness School!!!
August 22, 2009
Walking in Circles
Another interesting article from a study that found that people naturally walk in circles.
Again, another thing that I learned and teach in my survival classes. Each one of us is either right or left dominant. And that usually translates to our dominant foot being just slightly bigger/longer than our non-dominant foot. (There are ambidextrous folks out there as well but usually one foot is still bigger/longer than the other).
The other thing that happens is that when we walk, we have what's called a punch step with our dominant foot and a feeler step with our non-dominant foot. Punch step means that we strike the surface harder than a feeler step. Feeler step is that cautionary step that never wants to entirely commit and the stride ends up being shorter.
For example, I am a right dominant ambidextrous walker. When I walk I can feel my right foot hit the earth harder than my left foot does. When I'm on unsure terrain, I often use my left foot to scan the ground to feel for a place to put my foot while my right foot supports my weight.
This means that we have a slightly longer stride on our dominant side.
Translation: we will walk in a circle naturally without thinking about it.
Again, don't believe me? Try it for yourself.
Again, another thing that I learned and teach in my survival classes. Each one of us is either right or left dominant. And that usually translates to our dominant foot being just slightly bigger/longer than our non-dominant foot. (There are ambidextrous folks out there as well but usually one foot is still bigger/longer than the other).
The other thing that happens is that when we walk, we have what's called a punch step with our dominant foot and a feeler step with our non-dominant foot. Punch step means that we strike the surface harder than a feeler step. Feeler step is that cautionary step that never wants to entirely commit and the stride ends up being shorter.
For example, I am a right dominant ambidextrous walker. When I walk I can feel my right foot hit the earth harder than my left foot does. When I'm on unsure terrain, I often use my left foot to scan the ground to feel for a place to put my foot while my right foot supports my weight.
This means that we have a slightly longer stride on our dominant side.
Translation: we will walk in a circle naturally without thinking about it.
Again, don't believe me? Try it for yourself.
August 21, 2009
August 20, 2009
Full Circle
Vocational Path thus far:
Pre-1998 - Carpentry/Construction
1998 - Received a calling to ministry
1999 - Entered Manchester College as Religion major
2000 - Ministry Summer Service, Call to Pastoral Ministry, Licensed to Ministry
2001 - Pastor at Bethel Center CoB (interest in spiritual formation)
2002 - Pastor at West Manchester CoB (interest in masculine spirituality & rites of passage)
2005 - Back to Manchester (interested in teaching Old Testament)
2006 - IPFW, Anthropology major (w/ Native American Studies cert.)
2007 - Tracker School
2009 - Wilderness Awareness School
2010??
It has been helpful to see the patterns that have emerged in my vocational training. For the better part of 1998 to 2005, I sensed that my calling was to be in pastoral ministry in a congregational setting. Since late 2005 and into 2006, I have sensed a stronger more specific call to outdoor education/ministry. Affirmations and a passion for wilderness skills has reinvigorated my soul and I now understand to which ministry I am called.
I have question marks after 2010 not because I don't know what I want to do, rather because I'm not certain which field my journey at WAS will direct me. Right now, I am deeply interested in wilderness therapy programs. Here's one in particular that has my interest.
There is a six-fold reason that I am drawn towards this work:
1. I would get to teach wilderness survival skills
2. I would get to mentor troubled youth and young adults in a nature setting
3. The opportunity to transform and change lives (which is ministry to me)
4. I see this work as a modern form of initiation for youth to find their place in society
5. The emotional, mental, physical and spiritual health benefits for my life (esp. physical & spiritual)
6. The pay is great, along with benefits and the work 8/off 6 schedule
To a degree, I see the wilderness therapy programs as coming full circle in my understanding and calling in life. It's great to get to see how the elements of the vocational path (posted above) all seem to come to a head with wilderness therapy.
More to come...
August 17, 2009
Jumping not Teetering
It's been three weeks since I've posted and there's a reason for that. I've been intentional about Discernment, Prayer, Solitude, Wilderness time, Journaling, Conversations, Phone Calls, Apprehension/Excitement and Affirmations.
I have taken the leap of faith and said YES to the Anake Outdoor School at Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, WA. In 3 weeks, I will be heading out to the Pacific Northwest so there's a lot to be doing and planning.
Keep my wife and I in your thoughts and prayers during this transition as she will be staying back in Illinois for a few months to keep working until she is able to secure work in the Seattle area.
The adventure begins!
It's about making something happen instead of waiting for something to happen.
I have taken the leap of faith and said YES to the Anake Outdoor School at Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, WA. In 3 weeks, I will be heading out to the Pacific Northwest so there's a lot to be doing and planning.
Keep my wife and I in your thoughts and prayers during this transition as she will be staying back in Illinois for a few months to keep working until she is able to secure work in the Seattle area.
The adventure begins!
It's about making something happen instead of waiting for something to happen.
July 29, 2009
OORC??
From the Dunker Journal: Plain Roman Catholics taking a cue from Old Order Anabaptist groups.
Swinging our Arms
Research explains why we swing our arms when we walk. Click here to read.
I was taught at Tracker School that humans are naturally diagonal walkers like members of the cat, dog and deer family. This means that we move opposite sides of our body at the same time (i.e. right arm and left leg) unless we are aggravated, then we pace. That means that we move both sides of the body at the same time (i.e. left arm and left leg).
Don't believe me?
Check it out for yourself.
July 22, 2009
July 21, 2009
New Minds, No Programs
I just posted on the A Place Apart Blog a letter that I received from it's director.
The post mentions a lot of what I've been feeling about the Church lately and the timing of it was absolutely impeccable.
I'm reminded of Daniel Quinn's thought: "If the world is saved, it will not be saved by old minds with new programs but by new minds with no programs at all."
I believe that A Place Apart is saying the same thing.
The post mentions a lot of what I've been feeling about the Church lately and the timing of it was absolutely impeccable.
I'm reminded of Daniel Quinn's thought: "If the world is saved, it will not be saved by old minds with new programs but by new minds with no programs at all."
I believe that A Place Apart is saying the same thing.
July 17, 2009
July 08, 2009
Re-imagining a Worldview
I've been on a fascinating journey in recent months and I have Daniel Quinn to thank.
Back in May, I decided to re-read Quinn's books (the ones I own) and see if there was anything that I had missed the first time nearly 5 years ago.
I've re-read Ishmael, Story of B, Beyond Civilization and Tales of Adam. When I first read these books. I was looking through the lens of a much more Christian worldview than I have now. So his writings, interesting and provoking as they were, only served as way of expanding different thoughts/ideas/beliefs into my Christian worldview.
Now it is completely different! It's revolutionary! It's re-awakening! It's transforming my ever evolving worldview, especially in light of my passion and interest in wilderness living/outdoor education, tracking and not to mention curiosity about animism.
How ironic that when I first read his writings, I was merely (as I mentioned before) adding to my Christian worldview. Now the oppose is happening. I'm adding Christian ideas/thoughts/beliefs into a more Quinn-like worldview! A truly amazing integration! Especially with The Story of B... in so many ways I believe that the protagonist, Father Jared Osborne, and I are undertaking the same journey!
This has really added to my understanding of the world and my place in it. Just goes to show that it never hurts to pick up a book and re-read it as it might have something new to teach you that you missed out on before.
Back in May, I decided to re-read Quinn's books (the ones I own) and see if there was anything that I had missed the first time nearly 5 years ago.
I've re-read Ishmael, Story of B, Beyond Civilization and Tales of Adam. When I first read these books. I was looking through the lens of a much more Christian worldview than I have now. So his writings, interesting and provoking as they were, only served as way of expanding different thoughts/ideas/beliefs into my Christian worldview.
Now it is completely different! It's revolutionary! It's re-awakening! It's transforming my ever evolving worldview, especially in light of my passion and interest in wilderness living/outdoor education, tracking and not to mention curiosity about animism.
How ironic that when I first read his writings, I was merely (as I mentioned before) adding to my Christian worldview. Now the oppose is happening. I'm adding Christian ideas/thoughts/beliefs into a more Quinn-like worldview! A truly amazing integration! Especially with The Story of B... in so many ways I believe that the protagonist, Father Jared Osborne, and I are undertaking the same journey!
This has really added to my understanding of the world and my place in it. Just goes to show that it never hurts to pick up a book and re-read it as it might have something new to teach you that you missed out on before.
June 30, 2009
Teetering on an Edge
"Life is a hypocrite if I can't live the way it moves me" - Christopher Fry
You ever have a moment when you feel as though your life is teetering at the edge of something that can only be described as a great mystery? There is so much clarity of purpose yet the fleshing out process is still in the cocoon phase and you long to discover the new life that awaits beyond the chrysalis.
I believe that my life has arrived at just such a moment. Something is about to happen; the spirit is about to burst through and its a matter of either stepping to that edge and taking a leap of faith or pulling back from the unknown and settling for the familiar. I think many of us (especially the older we get) opt for the latter. Life is not turning out to be anything like I once imagined it and maybe for the first time in my life, I'm okay with that.
In nature mentoring, it's about subtly nudging people to their edge. I too have found my edge and I believe that God is beginning to lead me beyond it... what lies ahead is yet to be seen. This I know for certain, there's a sense of two-fold surrender; a surrender of my beliefs about how I was supposed to be and a surrender to my deepest and wildest passions.
*How can I be certain that this new found calling is genuine and not just perplexity, feeling or justification for escaping responsibilities?
*I know that by taking this leap of faith that it is not an avoidance of responsibility rather something that becomes a challenge as I step into the unknown. This also feels deeply familiar to my soul. It's starting to feel like it did eleven years ago when a great shift occurred in my life that lead me to pursue ministry. I also have this enigmatic sense that the chapter in my life that I had been living is now coming to a close or is now over. It's weird to think that what was once meaningful has become empty. I think that the last way that I know this call is for real is that it always seem to be unexpected and unwanted, as I mentioned before we tend to like the familiar.
So I'm navigating the waters of my soul by imagining how I might feel if I don't act on this call as well as starting the process of picking up my foot and stepping over the edge and seeing how that feels as well.
Will I take the leap? Stay tuned to find out...
*Thanks to Bill Plotkin and his book Soulcraft for enabling me words to identify the genuine-ness of this calling into outdoor education/wilderness therapy.
June 22, 2009
Making Their Presence Known
There was a black bear that was spotted about 7 miles from here last Thursday.
I posted last fall about the cougar sightings southwest of us and now we have seen a bear. Now for me to complete the circle there needs to be a wolf sighting out this way.
I posted last fall about the cougar sightings southwest of us and now we have seen a bear. Now for me to complete the circle there needs to be a wolf sighting out this way.
June 16, 2009
All That has Been... All That is Yet To Be
Now that I'm less than a year away from being 30, and my 10 year High School reunion is approaching; I thought it might be good to reflect on what has been and what is yet to be.
One of the ways I'm doing that is through the song that was thought to be our graduation song for the class of '99, Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrman. Here are some of my personal favs from the song:
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
One of the ways I'm doing that is through the song that was thought to be our graduation song for the class of '99, Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrman. Here are some of my personal favs from the song:
Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they have faded. But trust me, in 20 years you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked.
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives, some of the most interesting 40 year olds I know still don't.
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much or berate yourself, either. Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's.
Enjoy your body, use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it, it's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings; they are your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go, but for the precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography in lifestyle because the older you get, the more you need the people you knew when you were young.
Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.
Dance. Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room.
May 25, 2009
The Old German Baptist Brethren (of whom my mother's side of the family are members) will be having their Annual Meeting this coming Pentecost weekend in Modesto, California.
Read more here.
Read more here.
Elementary My Boy!
Always been a big Guy Ritchie fan and his next film Sherlock Holmes is a definite must see! Here's the trailer:
May 21, 2009
Reunited Reunions
I recently saw that Limp Bizkit is back together with it's original lineup and a friend of mine mentioned that Creed was getting back together and I just finally checked it out today.
After nearly 6 years apart, all four members of Creed are back for a reunion tour and new album due out in August. I am not quite sure what to feel about this news. I was a huge Creed fan back in the day but I am an even bigger fan of Alter Bridge. For those of you who are confused, Alter Bridge is 3 of the 4 original members of Creed that formed after Creed's breakup in 2003. I thought that Creed had a really great arena rock sound and great lyrical content that seemed to transcend genres. Alter Bridge is a bigger, badder and better melody-driven hard rock band that showcases one of this generation's greatest guitarist and vocalist, Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy, respectively.
The news is quite confusing as well. Creed is back together yet Alter Bridge has not broken up. So there are 2 bands with 2 different lead singers who will continue to make music in the future.
The schedule looks like this:
Summer 2009 - Creed's reunion tour and new album
Myles Kennedy (AB singer) will put out a solo record
Sometime in 2010 - Alter Bridge's new album and world tour
So it looks like the best of both worlds for Creed and Alter Bridge fans and if nothing else really great rock music to define our generations sound!
After nearly 6 years apart, all four members of Creed are back for a reunion tour and new album due out in August. I am not quite sure what to feel about this news. I was a huge Creed fan back in the day but I am an even bigger fan of Alter Bridge. For those of you who are confused, Alter Bridge is 3 of the 4 original members of Creed that formed after Creed's breakup in 2003. I thought that Creed had a really great arena rock sound and great lyrical content that seemed to transcend genres. Alter Bridge is a bigger, badder and better melody-driven hard rock band that showcases one of this generation's greatest guitarist and vocalist, Mark Tremonti and Myles Kennedy, respectively.
The news is quite confusing as well. Creed is back together yet Alter Bridge has not broken up. So there are 2 bands with 2 different lead singers who will continue to make music in the future.
The schedule looks like this:
Summer 2009 - Creed's reunion tour and new album
Myles Kennedy (AB singer) will put out a solo record
Sometime in 2010 - Alter Bridge's new album and world tour
So it looks like the best of both worlds for Creed and Alter Bridge fans and if nothing else really great rock music to define our generations sound!
May 20, 2009
Headed out to a National Park? Start Packing...
We really do live in a country full of gun "nuts" don't we?
A bill was just passed in the House by a vote of 279-147 that will allow visitors to national parks and wildlife refuges to carry a loaded gun so long as they abide by state weapons laws. The bill was attached as a provision to the overhaul of the credit card industry. A bill that Obama supports, so it puts him in a real dilemma. Read more of the story here.
I for one, as a naturalist and wilderness educator do not want to have the possibility of staring down a gun when I'm leading a group out in nature. I can also imagine what it will be like for those idiots that are trigger happy to do some potential harm to rare and endangered wildlife.
I am and always have been a strong supporter of gun control and see this as a step backwards on that issue. All that we can do now is to urge Obama to veto the bill but that puts us in a catch 22 since it is attached to the credit industry bill which I think most Americans support.
Here's the irony, that it was Reagan that first required guns to be stored or inoperable in national parks 25 years ago and now we have the potential for that to be undone by one of the more liberal Presidents we've had. Think about that one for a moment and your head will explode!
A bill was just passed in the House by a vote of 279-147 that will allow visitors to national parks and wildlife refuges to carry a loaded gun so long as they abide by state weapons laws. The bill was attached as a provision to the overhaul of the credit card industry. A bill that Obama supports, so it puts him in a real dilemma. Read more of the story here.
I for one, as a naturalist and wilderness educator do not want to have the possibility of staring down a gun when I'm leading a group out in nature. I can also imagine what it will be like for those idiots that are trigger happy to do some potential harm to rare and endangered wildlife.
I am and always have been a strong supporter of gun control and see this as a step backwards on that issue. All that we can do now is to urge Obama to veto the bill but that puts us in a catch 22 since it is attached to the credit industry bill which I think most Americans support.
Here's the irony, that it was Reagan that first required guns to be stored or inoperable in national parks 25 years ago and now we have the potential for that to be undone by one of the more liberal Presidents we've had. Think about that one for a moment and your head will explode!
May 04, 2009
Native Wildlife not Pests
Last March, I posted about how gray wolves were being de-listed on the endangered species list. You can read that post here.
A few months later, after the outcry from environmentalists and other wildlife organizations they were placed back under protection. Today they are being de-listed again.
For those of us who love these sacred animals, we need to do all that we can to make sure that they stay on the endangered list and are only taken off when the wolf population has truly reached a level that they can survive.
Defenders of Wildlife has a great resource page on what we can so to help let our elected officials know that it is still not the right time to take gray wolves off the endangered species list.
A few months later, after the outcry from environmentalists and other wildlife organizations they were placed back under protection. Today they are being de-listed again.
For those of us who love these sacred animals, we need to do all that we can to make sure that they stay on the endangered list and are only taken off when the wolf population has truly reached a level that they can survive.
Defenders of Wildlife has a great resource page on what we can so to help let our elected officials know that it is still not the right time to take gray wolves off the endangered species list.
May 01, 2009
The Art of Questioning
About 5 or 6 years ago, I was seriously considering teaching at a college level or even seminary. I could see the writing on the wall: Randall, be a professor and teach Old Testament with an emphasis on the minor prophets. As I look back I often wondered why I was serious about pursuing teaching, especially in a university or seminary setting. It wasn't that I couldn't do it. I believe I can do anything I set my mind to. I think there was a part of me that wanted to do it because that's what a dear friend of mine was on track to do. He is currently working on his Ph.D in early church and Patristic studies and teaching seminary courses as well. I had visions grandeur of being in a doctoral program too and he and I would magically end up in the same university or seminary, he being the New Testament prof and I being the Old Testament prof.
Ahh... those were the days.
As I am embarking on another journey, I've had some time to reflect on why maybe it is better that I am not teaching in academia. I know this is all circumstantial as well, had I completed my degrees and really known nothing else but university life then I could very well be posting something all together different.
It is not my intent to rail on what I consider to be wrong with modern academia. I may come across that way but for those who are on that journey, I fully support what you are doing and hope that it returns blessings a hundredfold in your lives. My intent is to shed some light based on my own experience.
I have been on the path of outdoor education/ministry for a little over two years. I have read, studied, hypothesized, observed, taught, listened and prayed over this process. And seeking what God may be showing me in spite of myself and I am thankful that my life is not entrenched in the academic world. Since having the opportunities to teach in another classroom, I've noticed some subtle and not so subtle ways in which students are "getting it" or not.
In my observations, the didactic approach that academia goes into by default, no longer seems to be teaching most students. Nothing wrong with instruction and informing (roots of the word didactic) but we in the Western world tend to see this as the main vehicle for learning. I would also make the statement that modern academia focuses more on content rather than context. Now there are different academic disciplines where that isn't always true, but walk into most high school or college classrooms and you'll find the more of the former than the latter taking place. I was fortunate enough to be in a discipline such as Religion that didn't keep itself confined to a content-oriented learning style.. but if I wanted the contextual-oriented one it often meant I had to have more one-on-one time with the prof outside the classroom.
In using the Coyote Method of teaching, it has been my experience that it is quite different than the academic approach. Do we still get confined in didactic approaches in outdoor education as well? Yes, I have kids (and adults) who would rather have me inform them about an animal track or plant etc... than to discover for themselves. That's where as an educator, I have to push them to their edge and lead them to answers via the art of questioning.
You might be saying to yourself "Colleges and schools encourage the questioning process too!" Yes, they do but only for brief moments. I spend more time encouraging the questions and leading students to their edge than I do giving them information. My experience was that most teachers/professors could only take so much questioning before they threw their hands up in the air and just started rattling off answers to shut the student up. We (in the West) really have not done a good job of learning the art of questioning as it is always easier to just give an answer. So I don't know how well I'd fit into an academic setting as a vocation now that I have experienced another way of teaching. In the end I'm still teaching... I guess that's what matters to me.
I believe questions lead to inspiration which leads to transformation.
So I guess the next logical step is to ask, what does it mean to inspire students?
More to come...
Ahh... those were the days.
As I am embarking on another journey, I've had some time to reflect on why maybe it is better that I am not teaching in academia. I know this is all circumstantial as well, had I completed my degrees and really known nothing else but university life then I could very well be posting something all together different.
It is not my intent to rail on what I consider to be wrong with modern academia. I may come across that way but for those who are on that journey, I fully support what you are doing and hope that it returns blessings a hundredfold in your lives. My intent is to shed some light based on my own experience.
I have been on the path of outdoor education/ministry for a little over two years. I have read, studied, hypothesized, observed, taught, listened and prayed over this process. And seeking what God may be showing me in spite of myself and I am thankful that my life is not entrenched in the academic world. Since having the opportunities to teach in another classroom, I've noticed some subtle and not so subtle ways in which students are "getting it" or not.
In my observations, the didactic approach that academia goes into by default, no longer seems to be teaching most students. Nothing wrong with instruction and informing (roots of the word didactic) but we in the Western world tend to see this as the main vehicle for learning. I would also make the statement that modern academia focuses more on content rather than context. Now there are different academic disciplines where that isn't always true, but walk into most high school or college classrooms and you'll find the more of the former than the latter taking place. I was fortunate enough to be in a discipline such as Religion that didn't keep itself confined to a content-oriented learning style.. but if I wanted the contextual-oriented one it often meant I had to have more one-on-one time with the prof outside the classroom.
In using the Coyote Method of teaching, it has been my experience that it is quite different than the academic approach. Do we still get confined in didactic approaches in outdoor education as well? Yes, I have kids (and adults) who would rather have me inform them about an animal track or plant etc... than to discover for themselves. That's where as an educator, I have to push them to their edge and lead them to answers via the art of questioning.
You might be saying to yourself "Colleges and schools encourage the questioning process too!" Yes, they do but only for brief moments. I spend more time encouraging the questions and leading students to their edge than I do giving them information. My experience was that most teachers/professors could only take so much questioning before they threw their hands up in the air and just started rattling off answers to shut the student up. We (in the West) really have not done a good job of learning the art of questioning as it is always easier to just give an answer. So I don't know how well I'd fit into an academic setting as a vocation now that I have experienced another way of teaching. In the end I'm still teaching... I guess that's what matters to me.
I believe questions lead to inspiration which leads to transformation.
So I guess the next logical step is to ask, what does it mean to inspire students?
More to come...
April 28, 2009
Resource Running
Running.
Something I used to do a lot of.
These days? Not as much.
Why? I'm sure I could give you a whole rash of reasons why I don't run like I should.
Hopefully I have some extra motivation for running.
What is it?
This.
I'm going to try using my running time as a time for expanding my awareness and mental catalog of available natural resources. Read the blog for more.
Something I used to do a lot of.
These days? Not as much.
Why? I'm sure I could give you a whole rash of reasons why I don't run like I should.
Hopefully I have some extra motivation for running.
What is it?
This.
I'm going to try using my running time as a time for expanding my awareness and mental catalog of available natural resources. Read the blog for more.
When you're outside...
I spent most of my day outside today. I mowed half our yard with my reel mower while I contemplated letting the grass in the back yard restore itself to its natural savanna state. I think the village would catch on or someone would call me in for an unkempt yard... nonetheless I'm considering it. I turned the compost pile from it's winter slumber as well as other odds and ins around the yard.
I now have my tracking box set up out back so that I can start getting deeper or more scientific about my tracking, I've already seen the difference in tracks that my dog makes when he has a full bladder and when he's just peed.
Today was also insightful because I have been stalking the squirrels. I mean I am getting really good at my fox walking and movement! I stalked up to one particular squirrel and got close enough I could have touched him if wanted. He just sat there and didn't notice me. When he did we must have looked at each other for nearly 5 minutes. From the time I started stalking him to the time I went back into his house was almost a half an hour! I knew because I had previously decided to go in the house and had looked at my watch before my adventure. Have you ever gotten so close to a squirrel that you could see the color variations of single strands of hair?
Grateful for moments like these...
I now have my tracking box set up out back so that I can start getting deeper or more scientific about my tracking, I've already seen the difference in tracks that my dog makes when he has a full bladder and when he's just peed.
Today was also insightful because I have been stalking the squirrels. I mean I am getting really good at my fox walking and movement! I stalked up to one particular squirrel and got close enough I could have touched him if wanted. He just sat there and didn't notice me. When he did we must have looked at each other for nearly 5 minutes. From the time I started stalking him to the time I went back into his house was almost a half an hour! I knew because I had previously decided to go in the house and had looked at my watch before my adventure. Have you ever gotten so close to a squirrel that you could see the color variations of single strands of hair?
Grateful for moments like these...
April 27, 2009
Stay Tuned....
For those who check in on the blog regularly....
It isn't that I don't have something to say, it's just getting harder to find the time to say it on the blog.
Keep checking in as I plan to have some new posts up soon regarding the outdoor education stuff I'm doing, as always spirituality stuff as well as other random material for fodder. I've been rereading Coyote's Guide and reawakening my creative genius as well.
It isn't that I don't have something to say, it's just getting harder to find the time to say it on the blog.
Keep checking in as I plan to have some new posts up soon regarding the outdoor education stuff I'm doing, as always spirituality stuff as well as other random material for fodder. I've been rereading Coyote's Guide and reawakening my creative genius as well.
April 08, 2009
Praying towards the Sun
From Yahoo News:
This morning, Jews all across the world recited the Birkat Hakhama prayer at sunrise. Birkat Hakhama is said as the sun comes up to mark what according to Jewish tradition is the sun's return to its position at the moment that the universe was created 5,769 years ago. It returns to the spot once every 28 years.
Makes me wonder how many folks who profess creationism know about this?
April 02, 2009
Is a Dreamlike State a bad thing?
I heard on NPR the other day about Salvia.
Have you heard about this?
Read up on the herb here.
It is quickly becoming the most popular drug amongst teens and young adults. It is offered as an alternative to marijuana and still legal in half the states and easily accessible online. There are videos posted on YouTube of young people hallucinating in less than a minute.
Read the NPR article here.
The reason I am posting on the issue is that I myself have some salvia in our house. I have salvia apiana (white sage) that I burn as an incense for purification/meditation. It is one of the more popular herbs that Native Americans used to use for flour, cooking, making teas and smudge sticks and incense. The herb that is causing controversy is salvia divinorum.
In defense of salvia (as research shows), it does not cause a high like other drugs (i.e. marijuana, LSD) rather moves the person into a dreamlike state for about 15-20 minutes. That is one of the reasons Native Americans used it for religious cermonies. It makes me wonder if it will soon be illegal in all 50 states (Ohio banned it as of yesterday) and treated the same way as marijuana and other drugs?
Ask me after I've done some more research where I come down on the issue.
Have you heard about this?
Read up on the herb here.
It is quickly becoming the most popular drug amongst teens and young adults. It is offered as an alternative to marijuana and still legal in half the states and easily accessible online. There are videos posted on YouTube of young people hallucinating in less than a minute.
Read the NPR article here.
The reason I am posting on the issue is that I myself have some salvia in our house. I have salvia apiana (white sage) that I burn as an incense for purification/meditation. It is one of the more popular herbs that Native Americans used to use for flour, cooking, making teas and smudge sticks and incense. The herb that is causing controversy is salvia divinorum.
In defense of salvia (as research shows), it does not cause a high like other drugs (i.e. marijuana, LSD) rather moves the person into a dreamlike state for about 15-20 minutes. That is one of the reasons Native Americans used it for religious cermonies. It makes me wonder if it will soon be illegal in all 50 states (Ohio banned it as of yesterday) and treated the same way as marijuana and other drugs?
Ask me after I've done some more research where I come down on the issue.
American democracy... modeled after who?
I just finished reading Mother Earth Spirituality by Ed McGaa. Great book and guide through the seven ceremonies of the Sioux/Lakota nations.
I was equally fascinated by the author's approach to history. In chapters 3 & 4, he expounds on the idea that American democracy was not so much founded on the concept of French, British, Roman or even Greek societies; rather on the Iroquois and Algonquian Leagues.
As I did a bit of research on the subject, I discovered that Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin and other founders were greatly influenced by Native American .... A quote from the book:
I guess the Euro-centric ego had too much influence on our history books as I don't remember reading or discussing the foundations of American democracy as being modeled by the Native Americans.
I was equally fascinated by the author's approach to history. In chapters 3 & 4, he expounds on the idea that American democracy was not so much founded on the concept of French, British, Roman or even Greek societies; rather on the Iroquois and Algonquian Leagues.
As I did a bit of research on the subject, I discovered that Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin and other founders were greatly influenced by Native American .... A quote from the book:
The first person to call publicly for a union of the thirteen American colonies was Chief Canassatego, speaking in 1744 to a Pennsylvania assembly negotiating the Treaty of Lancaster. Canassatego spoke for the Hodenosaunee, the Iroquois Leauge and urged the colonies to follow the example of the Hodenosaunee and unite a single government with one voice... Ben Franklin, who was at the time a Pennsylvanian Indian agent, took Canassatego's words seriously at the Albany Congress in 1754 by repeating a call for union. [pgs. 21 & 22]There was also a fascinating section on Native American's compassion for blacks during the time of slavery. And how slave owners told their slaves fearful stories about savagery and that all Indians were cannibals that would eat them if they ran off the plantations. As the book points out, how different could history have been if slaves chose not to believe this.
I guess the Euro-centric ego had too much influence on our history books as I don't remember reading or discussing the foundations of American democracy as being modeled by the Native Americans.
April 01, 2009
What We Miss
I had my first training/planning session the other day with the other staff that I'll be working with this spring, summer and fall. We did an ecology lesson on both prairie land and the forest. We all had different jobs to be doing at each site. One person did plant/fungus observations, one did non-living stuff while another person had to look for animal/insect sign. I was in charge of mapping out the area and orienteering.
When we were at the pine forest location, the person in charge of the animal sign worksheet was getting frustrated because she could not see anything (marks, fur, tracks, scat) and so she sort of gave up looking after a few minutes. On the other hand, I saw deer, raccoon, and tons of squirrel tracks and sign all over the place!
It reminded me of a Thoreau quote:
What will happen when we get the kids out there for these lessons. How many teachable moments could be missed because we aren't trained to see them? How many kids could get frustrated just like the staff person? How many kids could we awaken to the possibility of seeing beneath the surface? I think my skills will come in handy and hopefully compliment the other staff's strengths as well. Most importantly, I hope it awakens the children to the power of nature.
When we were at the pine forest location, the person in charge of the animal sign worksheet was getting frustrated because she could not see anything (marks, fur, tracks, scat) and so she sort of gave up looking after a few minutes. On the other hand, I saw deer, raccoon, and tons of squirrel tracks and sign all over the place!
It reminded me of a Thoreau quote:
"Objects are concealed from our view not so much because they are out of the curve of our visual ray as because there is no intention of the mind and eye toward them... We cannot see anything until we are possessed with the idea of it, and then we can hardly see anything else."The other staff person could not see the tracks because in her mind she probably thought that we aren't supposed to be able to see them. I have had training when it comes to tracking and sign, therefore my mind sees nothing but the tracks and sign! Even after I pointed out a few, she still seemed a bit skeptical. I don't expect for people to be able to "see" tracks like I do, so it doesn't bother me. Just as I am certain there are things in life that I miss because I haven't been shown how to see them. But it got me thinking...
What will happen when we get the kids out there for these lessons. How many teachable moments could be missed because we aren't trained to see them? How many kids could get frustrated just like the staff person? How many kids could we awaken to the possibility of seeing beneath the surface? I think my skills will come in handy and hopefully compliment the other staff's strengths as well. Most importantly, I hope it awakens the children to the power of nature.
March 25, 2009
The Need for Nature
A great (and hour-long) presentation by Richard Louv on The Abundant Childhood: Nature, Creativity and Health
March 23, 2009
Crossing the Threshold
When I first started blogging 4 years ago, the title of this blog was called Liminal Space. I've changed the title four times since then but remained in a liminal space. All you had to do was read my posts in the past 2-3 years to know that my life and vocational calling was going through a transition that can only be described as being out of the room I had been in (pastoral ministry) but not quite into the next room (what my next steps were), I was living in the hallway, the in-between. These past few months and years have not been easy for me or my wife. All the while, I've been trusting that something better was on the horizon and that life would finally start to feel like living again not just getting by.
Today, I feel like for the first time in years I am no longer living in liminality. I believe that I have now crossed the threshold and stepped into the next journey of my life and vocation. This past weekend, I was offered an opportunity to be an outdoor educator at a local nature preserve. This is the kind of opportunity that I've been praying for for some time now and I can now begin living my heart’s longing: to lead people back into the wild to reconnect to the earth, our souls, one another and to the Creator.
This is an exciting time for me and I hope the start of many more good things to come.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
Today, I feel like for the first time in years I am no longer living in liminality. I believe that I have now crossed the threshold and stepped into the next journey of my life and vocation. This past weekend, I was offered an opportunity to be an outdoor educator at a local nature preserve. This is the kind of opportunity that I've been praying for for some time now and I can now begin living my heart’s longing: to lead people back into the wild to reconnect to the earth, our souls, one another and to the Creator.
This is an exciting time for me and I hope the start of many more good things to come.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.
March 21, 2009
Rock On Sylvia!
Sylvia Utz just celebrated her 110th birthday on March 9th!
I have a connection with Sylvia, she is a member of my home church (Pitsburg Church of the Brethren) and I remember her and her husband always making time to talk with me and my sister. Trust me, she still has a sharp mind and sense of humor as the article mentions.
You can read the Dayton Daily News Article here.
I have a connection with Sylvia, she is a member of my home church (Pitsburg Church of the Brethren) and I remember her and her husband always making time to talk with me and my sister. Trust me, she still has a sharp mind and sense of humor as the article mentions.
You can read the Dayton Daily News Article here.
March 18, 2009
Persistence Hunt
I posted a few weeks back about hunting. I mentioned in that post about the stalking techniques I learned at Tracker School and was asking the question about modern hunting and if it can really be called hunting. This video of the Bushmen of the Kalahari better demonstrates a portion of the technique I was speaking of. The Native Americans would have used similar techniques.
I think there is a spiritual connection between the hunter and the hunted and modern hunting techniques do not account for that. This video demonstrates it beautifully. As someone posted on the video
I think there is a spiritual connection between the hunter and the hunted and modern hunting techniques do not account for that. This video demonstrates it beautifully. As someone posted on the video
"this is the most honorable death for the animals.....to kill an animal suddenly with a gun or slow injection is wrong as well it is not natural...their spirit would not have prepared for death....as seen in this video the animal was so calm and prepared for its time to leave the earth."I agree.
March 16, 2009
Tracking Quiz
Alright here's another fun tracking exercise. It is much more difficult than the kids game I showed in December. There are 20 photos of tracks and I was able to identify 14.
Click here to take the challenge.
Click here to take the challenge.
February 27, 2009
Creativity, Silence, Hunger
Things I am giving up for Lent:
1. TV (I did this 2 years ago and it was a very creative and inspiring season)
2. Swearing (this is more about learning the art of sacred silence)
3. Practicing fasting
1. TV (I did this 2 years ago and it was a very creative and inspiring season)
2. Swearing (this is more about learning the art of sacred silence)
3. Practicing fasting
Survival Mindset
I was made aware of a really cool resource that that written to help people get by in our current financial crisis. The really cool thing about this article is that it is written using basic wilderness survival attitudes through the mind of the wolverine! There is a lot to learn from us wilderness folks... even in the financial market sector.
You can read the entire article at the Hawk Circle Wilderness Education site.
If nothing else I wanted to list the attitudes and if you want to go deeper then you can by visiting the site.
1. There's Always Something - there are always new opportunities if you remain open
2. Separate Your Wants from Your Needs
3. Maintain Creativity & Problem Solving Capacities
4. Stay Positive - it helps to have an inspiring mission
5. Pool Your Resources
6. Find Your Animal Medicine - imagine the persistence of certain animals and know your role
7. Look for Helpers, Partners & Allies
8. Do One Thing at a Time
9. Don't Wait to be Rescued - act now, don't sit around waiting for something to happen
10. Pay Attention
You can read the entire article at the Hawk Circle Wilderness Education site.
If nothing else I wanted to list the attitudes and if you want to go deeper then you can by visiting the site.
1. There's Always Something - there are always new opportunities if you remain open
2. Separate Your Wants from Your Needs
3. Maintain Creativity & Problem Solving Capacities
4. Stay Positive - it helps to have an inspiring mission
5. Pool Your Resources
6. Find Your Animal Medicine - imagine the persistence of certain animals and know your role
7. Look for Helpers, Partners & Allies
8. Do One Thing at a Time
9. Don't Wait to be Rescued - act now, don't sit around waiting for something to happen
10. Pay Attention
February 24, 2009
Weight Loss Update
For those who care...
I've lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks.
9 more weeks left in the challenge, I might post another update in 3 weeks.
I've lost 10 pounds in 3 weeks.
9 more weeks left in the challenge, I might post another update in 3 weeks.
What Should it be Called?
(Disclaimer: I am not a hunter nor have I ever hunted in the traditional sense. However, I have been taught the ancient technique of stalking animals, which was used by ancient cultures and still used by some today. I am constantly perfecting this technique and have had instances where I've gotten close to animals (close=10 yards or less). Close enough that I could have harvested them if I was in a survival situation. So I understand the hunting mentality clearly.)
Here's my thought:
I've heard the word "hunting" quite a bit in the past few weeks and it got me thinking...
Can it really be called hunting if (most of the time) the hunter is sitting awaiting his quarry? Can I even use the term quarry since it means "prey that is pursued?"
I think it speaks to our laziness in America that we sit and "bait" our prey.
So here's my point: shouldn't we start calling it "baiting" since that is what we really do?
This isn't a rail against those who enjoy the sport. I'm just seeking to clarify the language.
Here's my thought:
I've heard the word "hunting" quite a bit in the past few weeks and it got me thinking...
Can it really be called hunting if (most of the time) the hunter is sitting awaiting his quarry? Can I even use the term quarry since it means "prey that is pursued?"
I think it speaks to our laziness in America that we sit and "bait" our prey.
So here's my point: shouldn't we start calling it "baiting" since that is what we really do?
This isn't a rail against those who enjoy the sport. I'm just seeking to clarify the language.
February 19, 2009
1,823 days
Its been five years today since I said goodbye to Mom and every year this surreal feeling comes over me. In so many ways, (probably more because so many things have happened) it seems like it has been longer than five years...
Mom, I miss you.
your hugs
your courage
your wisdom
your laughter
your support
your "love packages"
your smile
your faith
your hope
your love.
I miss you.
I wanted to post some lyrics from a song that has helped me thru this time. You can listen to the song by clicking here.
With Hope - Steven Curtis Chapman
we can cry with hope
we can say goodbye with hope
'cause we know our goodbye is not the end
and we can grieve with hope
'cause we believe with hope
there's a place by god's grace
there's a place where we'll see your face again
Mom, I miss you.
your hugs
your courage
your wisdom
your laughter
your support
your "love packages"
your smile
your faith
your hope
your love.
I miss you.
I wanted to post some lyrics from a song that has helped me thru this time. You can listen to the song by clicking here.
With Hope - Steven Curtis Chapman
we can cry with hope
we can say goodbye with hope
'cause we know our goodbye is not the end
and we can grieve with hope
'cause we believe with hope
there's a place by god's grace
there's a place where we'll see your face again
February 10, 2009
Alvin!!
I was working on rewriting a song this morning when something cool happened.
I was gently strumming my guitar and I happened to notice a fox squirrel coming down from the tree to do some collecting. The squirrel then stopped on the tree and I then noticed the squirrel's tail was wagging almost in perfect cadence with my strum. The walls of our home office aren't very thick, so either he could hear me or he could feel the rhythm. So I conducted an experiment.
I stopped playing and his tail stopped wagging! I started strumming again and his tail started wagging to the beat again! My own little Alvin from the Chipmunks!
It's the little things that bring me such joy and a sense of peace and harmony.
I was gently strumming my guitar and I happened to notice a fox squirrel coming down from the tree to do some collecting. The squirrel then stopped on the tree and I then noticed the squirrel's tail was wagging almost in perfect cadence with my strum. The walls of our home office aren't very thick, so either he could hear me or he could feel the rhythm. So I conducted an experiment.
I stopped playing and his tail stopped wagging! I started strumming again and his tail started wagging to the beat again! My own little Alvin from the Chipmunks!
It's the little things that bring me such joy and a sense of peace and harmony.
February 04, 2009
Skeptically Open
I promise that the content of this blog isn't going to be shifting. Unless you solely have a thematic blog (this blog is about 75 percent of the time), you blog about what is going on in your life at the moment. Besides, I think my present journey is one of discovering the Sacred Fire within as I relearn and reignite my quality of life!
One of the cool things about this fitness challenge I am doing is that local gyms have opened their doors for free trial memberships. The gym that is in our town isn't offering a free trial (which sucks, as it is only 4 blocks from our house) but there is one in a town 10 minutes up the road.
So I walked into this gym and noticed that it wasn't a typical looking gym. From what I could see there wasn't any free weights racks or Olympic machines, treadmills, ellipticals, tv's or even mirrors! Gotta have mirrors in the gym don't you? What did they have? Bars, rings, balls, blocks and mats.
This stocky (but built) guy emerges from the back and greets me. We talk and I find out that I am not in a typical gym with a typical trainer and typical tv's. I am in a CrossFit gym.
No idea what CrossFit is? Check it out here or go to YouTube and watch what these folks are doing.
We talked and after hearing what the CrossFit program is, I decided to give it a try. He wanted to do an assessment of where I need to start so he had me do a "Barbara" routine. All the workouts have women's names to them... I have no idea why.
A "Barbara" routine consists of 10 pull-ups, 15 push-ups, 20 sit-ups and 25 squats. What makes CrossFit unique is that it is high intensity! So you do that whole routine as fast and as intense as you can. So I did it. And my time was something like 2:38. Not bad for a guy who has been pretty sedentary for the past 6 months. The trainer says alright take a 3 minute rest/recovery. Then do it again.
Long story short. That "Barbara" routine is done in 5 sets for time. I did 2 sets and was at failure and on the verge of vomiting. Second set time? Closer to 7 minutes. So the trainer says take two days for recovery and come back.
I have had a few (sore) days to do some more research on CrossFit and so far the reviews are split. The pros seem to be that it does a better job of making you better at not one specific thing but a lot of things. It's meant to be broad and inclusive. It's high intensity so you get on average a 30 minute workout that is both cardio and strength training.
The cons seem to be that it is high intensity and it isn't meant for people who aren't already in good shape. Reviewers also state that the workouts should be longer and more varied. There is no real regimen for following the program. The website announces which WOD (Workout of the Day) is performed. The people who swear by CrossFit come off a little cult-ish and some believe that it is The Answer to proper fitness.
So here's my take. Sometimes the thing that doesn't feel like it's right for you might be what's best for you. For years, I've tried to lose weight the way I wanted to do it and look where it has gotten me. I like the fact that it is intense and can be done in less time than a typical workout. I am suspicious of what this workout will do to my heart and body. Is it good to just be that intense when I've not had that intensity for nearly 10 years? Or will it indeed make me stronger, faster. I rarely ever espouse something as the answer and just like other avenues of our lives (church affiliates, sports teams etc..) I expect that if something works for you then you would be boasting about the results. It for us unbelievers that have to be converted. For what it's worth I get six free weeks with the trainer to see if this model is one that works for me. So even though I have a bit of skepticism, I am keeping myself open to the possibilities that CrossFit might be what works for me... especially as it keeps me out of my comfort zone.
If you had to ask my body what it thought... right now you might get answers from parts that haven't been this worked in a long time. In the meantime, I plan to use CrossFit as the supplement to my other cardio workouts which I am doing 6 days a week.
One of the cool things about this fitness challenge I am doing is that local gyms have opened their doors for free trial memberships. The gym that is in our town isn't offering a free trial (which sucks, as it is only 4 blocks from our house) but there is one in a town 10 minutes up the road.
So I walked into this gym and noticed that it wasn't a typical looking gym. From what I could see there wasn't any free weights racks or Olympic machines, treadmills, ellipticals, tv's or even mirrors! Gotta have mirrors in the gym don't you? What did they have? Bars, rings, balls, blocks and mats.
This stocky (but built) guy emerges from the back and greets me. We talk and I find out that I am not in a typical gym with a typical trainer and typical tv's. I am in a CrossFit gym.
No idea what CrossFit is? Check it out here or go to YouTube and watch what these folks are doing.
We talked and after hearing what the CrossFit program is, I decided to give it a try. He wanted to do an assessment of where I need to start so he had me do a "Barbara" routine. All the workouts have women's names to them... I have no idea why.
A "Barbara" routine consists of 10 pull-ups, 15 push-ups, 20 sit-ups and 25 squats. What makes CrossFit unique is that it is high intensity! So you do that whole routine as fast and as intense as you can. So I did it. And my time was something like 2:38. Not bad for a guy who has been pretty sedentary for the past 6 months. The trainer says alright take a 3 minute rest/recovery. Then do it again.
Long story short. That "Barbara" routine is done in 5 sets for time. I did 2 sets and was at failure and on the verge of vomiting. Second set time? Closer to 7 minutes. So the trainer says take two days for recovery and come back.
I have had a few (sore) days to do some more research on CrossFit and so far the reviews are split. The pros seem to be that it does a better job of making you better at not one specific thing but a lot of things. It's meant to be broad and inclusive. It's high intensity so you get on average a 30 minute workout that is both cardio and strength training.
The cons seem to be that it is high intensity and it isn't meant for people who aren't already in good shape. Reviewers also state that the workouts should be longer and more varied. There is no real regimen for following the program. The website announces which WOD (Workout of the Day) is performed. The people who swear by CrossFit come off a little cult-ish and some believe that it is The Answer to proper fitness.
So here's my take. Sometimes the thing that doesn't feel like it's right for you might be what's best for you. For years, I've tried to lose weight the way I wanted to do it and look where it has gotten me. I like the fact that it is intense and can be done in less time than a typical workout. I am suspicious of what this workout will do to my heart and body. Is it good to just be that intense when I've not had that intensity for nearly 10 years? Or will it indeed make me stronger, faster. I rarely ever espouse something as the answer and just like other avenues of our lives (church affiliates, sports teams etc..) I expect that if something works for you then you would be boasting about the results. It for us unbelievers that have to be converted. For what it's worth I get six free weeks with the trainer to see if this model is one that works for me. So even though I have a bit of skepticism, I am keeping myself open to the possibilities that CrossFit might be what works for me... especially as it keeps me out of my comfort zone.
If you had to ask my body what it thought... right now you might get answers from parts that haven't been this worked in a long time. In the meantime, I plan to use CrossFit as the supplement to my other cardio workouts which I am doing 6 days a week.
January 31, 2009
Start of the Journey
Here is (what will become) my before photo taken today on January 31. I had my health screen a few days ago and here's some of the data I received:
Height - 69"
Weight - 296 lbs.
BMI - 43.9
Fat Weight - 127 lbs.
Cholesterol - 160 (good!)
Blood Pressure - 160/94 (not good!)
Goal Weight - 168 lbs.
I'm setting short term goals along the way. My first one is to lower my BMI from Extreme Obesity to the Obese category. In order to get into the next category my weight has to be less than 270 pounds.
Today is a detox day and tomorrow starts the challenge!! Wish me luck!!
January 26, 2009
Accountablilty = Success
Patterns in our lives tend to be pretty reciprocal. I have blogged before about my struggle with weight loss. You can read more about those struggles here and here.
To make a long story short, I did not succeed in achieving my goal weight either time. I have blogged before about how important accountability is for me and yet the past two times I've undertaken this journey, I had very little accountability. I had a trainer that I met with a few times but it wasn't real accountability. My wife has been supportive but I often view her support as nagging (which always pushed me the other direction).
As I reflect back to the last time I had any real weight loss success it was when I was in college and had a friend start the Body for Life program. There were 3 of us that started that program and none of us ever reached our goal weight. What we did have was accountability for one another. I went from almost 260 pounds to 225.
A few weeks back, my mother-in-law invited me to participate in a Get-Fit Challenge starting February 1st and continuing for the next 12 weeks. I was hesitant at first, as my working out mindset has (often in the past) been one of the Lone-Wolf mentality. I quickly realized that this might be the best opportunity for me to achieve my weight loss goals. Since I am on a team with four others, my success isn't just my own but my teams!
The other thing that I did was join the Biggest Loser Club.com I get a ton of free resources not to mention 3 Biggest Loser books for free!
So here's what my program (fusion of Biggest Loser, Body for Life and Belly Off programs) will look like:
- cardio 6 days a week
- strength training 3 days a week
- 1 day of rest and recuperation
- 5 servings of fruits/vegetables daily
- 5 small portioned meals daily
- drink at least 32 oz. of water daily
- reduce daily caloric intake from 2500 to 1000
When I have my health screen this week, I will also post my data as well as a picture of me at the start of the journey. I cannot promise that I will always blog about this journey but I will give short updates along the way and post another picture of me on May 1st. Remember these first twelve weeks are the stepping stone, I don't expect to reach my goal in that time...
So here's where you come in. You are also going to be an accountability partner for me. Starting February 1st, check in on my blog from time to time and just post a comment on any weight loss related post for me to read. You can maybe share a little note of encouragement or motivational quotes or other websites to check out. Whatever you think will help me stay focused.
Most importantly, keep me in your prayers as I start this journey. I am 28 years old and right now am on track to become a Type II diabetic in the next decade which also puts me at greater risk of heart disease and stroke and other obesity related diseases. This is the third time in 5 years that I have tried to lose weight and get healthy. I hope that third time is a charm!
To make a long story short, I did not succeed in achieving my goal weight either time. I have blogged before about how important accountability is for me and yet the past two times I've undertaken this journey, I had very little accountability. I had a trainer that I met with a few times but it wasn't real accountability. My wife has been supportive but I often view her support as nagging (which always pushed me the other direction).
As I reflect back to the last time I had any real weight loss success it was when I was in college and had a friend start the Body for Life program. There were 3 of us that started that program and none of us ever reached our goal weight. What we did have was accountability for one another. I went from almost 260 pounds to 225.
A few weeks back, my mother-in-law invited me to participate in a Get-Fit Challenge starting February 1st and continuing for the next 12 weeks. I was hesitant at first, as my working out mindset has (often in the past) been one of the Lone-Wolf mentality. I quickly realized that this might be the best opportunity for me to achieve my weight loss goals. Since I am on a team with four others, my success isn't just my own but my teams!
The other thing that I did was join the Biggest Loser Club.com I get a ton of free resources not to mention 3 Biggest Loser books for free!
So here's what my program (fusion of Biggest Loser, Body for Life and Belly Off programs) will look like:
- cardio 6 days a week
- strength training 3 days a week
- 1 day of rest and recuperation
- 5 servings of fruits/vegetables daily
- 5 small portioned meals daily
- drink at least 32 oz. of water daily
- reduce daily caloric intake from 2500 to 1000
When I have my health screen this week, I will also post my data as well as a picture of me at the start of the journey. I cannot promise that I will always blog about this journey but I will give short updates along the way and post another picture of me on May 1st. Remember these first twelve weeks are the stepping stone, I don't expect to reach my goal in that time...
So here's where you come in. You are also going to be an accountability partner for me. Starting February 1st, check in on my blog from time to time and just post a comment on any weight loss related post for me to read. You can maybe share a little note of encouragement or motivational quotes or other websites to check out. Whatever you think will help me stay focused.
Most importantly, keep me in your prayers as I start this journey. I am 28 years old and right now am on track to become a Type II diabetic in the next decade which also puts me at greater risk of heart disease and stroke and other obesity related diseases. This is the third time in 5 years that I have tried to lose weight and get healthy. I hope that third time is a charm!
January 16, 2009
Common or Master Tracker?
I was looking for a tracking kit and resource materials for children when I found this website. It is a basic animal tracks matching game for preschoolers. There are 3 levels each with 4 animals to match them with their tracks. It's intended for young children but I'd be surprised to know how adults do as well.
If this is something that your child (or you) enjoys (and is good at it) then the next step is to get them outside and away from the damn computer to start ID'ing real tracks.
(In case you were wondering, I did correctly ID all 12 tracks!)
If this is something that your child (or you) enjoys (and is good at it) then the next step is to get them outside and away from the damn computer to start ID'ing real tracks.
(In case you were wondering, I did correctly ID all 12 tracks!)
January 15, 2009
4/300/10,000
I've been blogging now for nearly 4 years and a neat milestone has just occurred:
This is my 300th post and...
I now have over 10,000 hits on the blog.
Hope you keep reading and enjoy the content!
This is my 300th post and...
I now have over 10,000 hits on the blog.
Hope you keep reading and enjoy the content!
January 12, 2009
Wilderness Protection
Congress is setting a new tone for environmental conservation only a week before the Obama Administration.
The Senate advanced legislation that would set aside more than 2 million acres in nine states as wilderness and expanding protections for dozens of national parks, rivers and water resources.
Read more here.
Major complaints (mostly from Republicans) about the legislation is that it prevents the development of oil and gas on federal lands.
It's great to see that congress recognizes the importance of environmental and conservation issues that our next President has and gives me hope that there will always be wilderness for us to explore and learn.
The Senate advanced legislation that would set aside more than 2 million acres in nine states as wilderness and expanding protections for dozens of national parks, rivers and water resources.
Read more here.
Major complaints (mostly from Republicans) about the legislation is that it prevents the development of oil and gas on federal lands.
It's great to see that congress recognizes the importance of environmental and conservation issues that our next President has and gives me hope that there will always be wilderness for us to explore and learn.
January 07, 2009
Prequels, Sequels and Remakes
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a movie buff.
Yahoo has a nice list of the most anticipated movies of 2009.
Click here and here to see them.
Here are the ones I'm looking forward to the most:
The Wolfman
Year One
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Terminator Salvation
2012
Bruno
Angels & Demons
Yahoo has a nice list of the most anticipated movies of 2009.
Click here and here to see them.
Here are the ones I'm looking forward to the most:
The Wolfman
Year One
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Terminator Salvation
2012
Bruno
Angels & Demons
January 02, 2009
Green Letter Edition
The Green Bible.
Have you seen this yet?
Harper Collins has produced an NRSV bible that is made from 100% recycled pages and binding, cotton cover and soy ink printing. It is a green letter edition highlighting the 1000+ passages speaking to the care for creation and stewardship of the earth. It also includes essays, quotes and a how-to guide for getting involved in eco-stewardship. It is endorsed/sponsered in conjunction with Sierra Club, Humane Society and Eco Justice Program of the National Council of Churches.
For me this comes as a double edged sword.
I think this is a great idea whose time has come and I hope that this will encourage xians to get more involved in the care for the earth. However, I am a bit skeptical as well because I am fearful that the Green Agenda is nothing more than a fad and it will eventually fade out. I hope I am wrong but time will tell. Nonetheless, I would be interested in checking it out.