It's been a summer of transitioning here in IVAland. A summer of big questions .. and almost inaudible answers.

Sometimes we (I) don't know exactly what to do next, but we know we need to make a change. This stirs up a lot of uncertainties about the choices we make. Are they "good" or "bad" … and who's to know?

I know that I want to use my mind and my body to their full potential. This takes as much inspiration as it does discipline, I am finding. I've faced many of my fears to find out that really what's behind them is not so bad. I can handle a lot more that I thought. And one of the key ingredients in making it possible to know and realize all of this is the environment in which I'm living. 

We live in a world of beauty, and a world of complexity. Nature is a force we are all a part of, and it provides everything we need. We run into trouble when we take more than we need. I've found this to be true in every scenario. We go into debt with nature when we take too much, and it takes much more work to climb out of debt that is does to honor the resources we have and create from there. 

I've found myself in environments that go against the balance of nature and it makes everything feel difficult and hopeless. I've found myself in environments of beauty and preservation and felt calm and inspired. What is required is mindful tending to the garden, without pushing, without pulling, and letting the seeds grow of their own accord.

Doing that with our (my) lives can be challenging. I have felt recently that every day I have everything I need, including room to grow, but I worry about what will happen in the future. Will I have enough to sustain me? Will I have enough to contribute? It's a great unknown. But I've been feeling more and more at ease with it. I try to make choices every day that will create a good life for me and those that I love, and then I try to let go of any worries that might cloud my vision. I imagine you are doing this as well? I'd like to know.

And on a lighter note, something I came across on a podcast was a way of planning that could make one of the necessities of life a rich experience. Food. I was listening to a podcast called "An Organic Conversation" and it was suggested that in order to save time and money while making shopping and cooking more enjoyable was to plan all the meals for the week ahead of time. So one could sit down on Sunday and plan what the eat every night of the week, and then go do the grocery shopping for that. It saves going to the market hungry and tired at the end of the day and grabbing whatever's available and maybe some junk food, too, and taking extra time figuring out what to cook. So this is something I'm going to try and then I'm going to let you know how I'm doing … oh boy …

I'm going to get help doing this by following a website called Green Tea and Honey. It's a radio show hosted by a naturopathic physician and a nutritionist and natural foods chef .. you can listen too at http://www.greenteaandhoneyradio.com/about-green-tea-and-honey

As for embracing the unknown, it's feeling easier so I'm keeping the faith. And as I've done this, it's gotten quite quiet in my head. No little gremlins running around in there telling me my fears. Only choices and the search for more information to make more informed choices. It's amazing what you find out there when you go looking for it.

Until next time, I remain your philosophic friend,
IVA