Wither & Whence Change Cometh?
A couple of years ago, I knew it was time to consider moving from California. I felt a movement in my soul for more settling and quietude – literally.
In June of 2009, I traveled to Petoskey, Michigan for my niece’s wedding. After spending a Saturday morning at Roast & Toast, Petoskey Health & Fitness and Horizon Books, I found myself on East Mitchell Street in Petoskey, MI and felt a deep sigh, an ahhhhh in my heart, soul, mind and body. I thought – this could be a great place to hang out for the next decade or so.
I returned to Petoskey 4 times in the following 12 months – twice to check out winter. I was hoping Mother Nature would throw some vicious winter weather my way so I could assess where I was with the notion of winter. After 4 years in California, I wasn’t sure I would welcome the cold and snow – even after 13 years in Park City, Utah where I had 3 snow blowers to deal with the 15 feet or more of snow we received each winter.
I was a little disappointed in the 2009/2010 winter in Petoskey – at least the part of it I enjoyed. I think it only got to about 18 degrees when I was there and even with the 20 knot winds, it did not dissuade me from further exploration.
As I write this, I am in Naperville, IL on my way to a home in Petoskey. The other night in Rock Springs, Wy. and again the following night in Shelby, Iowa, I had a few moments of – Am I doing the right thing? What am I getting myself into? As I drove from Shelby, IA to Naperville, IL, I was listening to an interview with Mitchell May that my friend Holly had given me. I share some of Mitchell’s orientation toward the mystery of life. As I listened to the interview, I again felt the certainty in my soul about the move and Petoskey.
My mind wants to worry about the future and finances, but my observation is that 40 years of such worry, concern and uncertainty haven’t accomplished much – especially in regards to increasing a sense of certainty and security in a constantly changing world.
I notice a certainty and security in my heart. The sense of a turning in my soul has morphed into a sense of settling – like an enormous soft spaceship touching down.
My 84-year old father is moving with me to Petoskey. I notice that spending more time with him is a real support for practicing Total Being – an evolution of Realization as Practice. As I slow my walking pace to dad’s, I bring more attention and awareness to total being.
There seem to be no coincidences. Back-to-back retreats on NonConceptual Realty and then the Fulcrum Practicum seem to have prepared me to move slower with more attention and awareness.
Where will life in Petoskey lead me? Certainly to more moments of uncertainty and certainty.
Certainly or Not
Links of Interest
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