I have not written in some time. I had so many profound experiences during my time in West Virginia, one right after the other, that I needed time to process and analyze. I am still sifting through each moment, realizing each day what a magical adventure I was gifted in the lush land of mountains and rivers.
My intention is still the same, though my path has led to me wonders unexpected. I went to this place to seek truth and embrace the unknown. I had such a rapid spiritual growth spurt. Each day I was challenged to truly be myself and connect with the unfamiliar. As I connected to the unfamiliar, it became very familiar, and I unveiled one little bit of my authenticity at a time. I grew up in suburbia, eating processed food and watching TV. I have since altered my diet to be far more conscious and haven’t own a TV or a microwave in three years. Kudos to me, but living the way these locals did opened my eyes and my mind to a truly conscious way of living.
I ate meals prepared almost entirely out of organic produce from backyards and local farms. I shared meals with families and friends. The consumption of this delicious food was always accompanied with delightful company and jovial conversation. Everyone was family. This community of people is so special and connected to the very source that brings us together; Love. A lot of people I stayed with ran there homes with no electricity, just a generator, primarily used for use of wood working shops or other crafts. Oil lamps at night ☺ Out-houses, self-composting toilets, and the good ole’ woods became my bathroom. It impacted me. I realize how many gallons of water I’ve wasted by just flushing a little pee and a measly few squares of Charmin down the toilet. I prefer the woods to be honest. I like peeing outside. I’ll do it for me, and for my Momma Earth! Watching how blissful these people were in the self-sustainable environments they cultivated was truly inspiring and has moved me into action. This is a blessing.
One morning I woke up and picked fresh blackberries right off the bush and cooked them in oatmeal on a wood-burning stove. It was the most delicious breakfast I have ever tasted. I look at food differently now. I will do my best to support local farmer’s markets and continue to learn about self-sustenance. I admire so much the way these people share everything with each other. I was so blessed to be a part of the Lewisburg Farmer’s Market every Saturday morning. I danced away with my hoops, played with the children, proved to ladies my senior that they can still hula hoop, sold some hoops, and found myself totally in awe of the beautiful connectedness I was witnessing. The baker sold bread; the farmers sold their meats, produce, and eggs. There were homemade herb tinctures and teas, flowers, fruits, soaps, salves, and spices. They accepted and embraced me, and I them. We all shared our selves and our offerings. I will hold this in my heart forever. They were so grateful that I brought such colorful hues and vitality to the market. I was equally grateful that I could just show up and be a part of something so magical. Support Local Farms! Seriously. No farm, No food. I realize this more and more each day as I eat food that is not grown locally that it makes a difference in my body and my consciousness. Local Famer’s Markets are not everywhere, so that means that we need to be our own farmer’s, grow our own food, and sustain ourselves, so that we no longer need to relay on corporate super markets to supply us with food. Not only is food fresh from the land better for you and far tastier, it is the ‘green’ solution both environmentally and financially.
There was so much country to discover there. The Greenbrier River was magical. I hooped with women and children of all ages at a righteous swimming hole known as Blue Bend. I bathed bare skinned in the sun with my Sister Susan at Cat’s Eye, my personal spiritual spot on the River. I found many spots on the river where I was completely alone with the earth and let her embrace me wholly. Many tears and fears were release into the river rocks of the Greenbrier. I swam with no suit. I sung to the trees. I pretended I was a cat and tried to catch brook trout with my hands. It is amazing what freedom one can experience with the combination of the natural world and imagination. This is why I honor the children.
I white-water rafted down the New River, known for its Class 5 rapids. That was an intense experience. Not only were the rapids demanding of respect and focus, but the visual intake itself was life changing. The sunlight danced across the water and through the leaves of the trees. I charged the rapids with the same intensity they charged in me. Susan was with me as well, and we found ourselves immersed in the magnificence of the river. Together, we shared some intense breakthroughs. As we acknowledged the healing that was taking place the earth spoke to us through the animal kingdom. A bright yellow and black butterfly with the most unique markings made its presence well known to the two of us. I instinctively knew it was dying. We connected with this butterfly on the bank of the New River gorge, honoring its message that this was a time of transformative, cyclical change. The beautiful insect did die, in our presence, gifting us with the most glorious part of its three-phase life; it’s conscious death. It allowed me to remember that all that is, even the beauty, passes on and changes form. Be like the river, the butterfly said. Cut your own path; meander your way down the mountain and to The Source. Flow. Flow. Flow.
I took many hikes and spent time on peaks and in valleys. The view is just as awesome from the bottom as it is at the top. The mountains were great teachers, as I learned that it is perfectly all right to spend time in the womb of the valley, as well as the accomplished glory of reaching the mountains peak. This is a metaphor for life, as we all wind our way around the world.
I thought I was going to travel westward from the Appalachians to the Pacific and regal Redwoods. This is still my goal, and after some blatant signs from Spirit I realized it would require some patience. Noah and I realized it would be best to entertain a friendship as opposed to a partnership, and went our separate ways. I decided to leave WV and travel back down the east coast to reconnect with loved ones and pursue my passion to be a performance artist. I am now living in St. Petersburg, FL with my radiant sunbeam of a Soul Sister, Abby. She is the founder and president of The Hoola Monsters, my new hoop troupe family. I am so stoked to be here doing exactly what it is that I love, with people I love, who love doing the same thing I love to do; hoop! I am also exploring other Flow Tools such as poi and rekindling my relationship with belly dance. I am so grateful! Abby and I have such an open and honest connection and I am learning and growing by leaps and bounds with her as a teacher, mentor, and fellow artist. Her passion for Hoop Dance has catalyzed me into wanting to be the best I can be, not just inside the hoop, but also in all areas of life. She understands, respects, and supports my goals to travel to California, Maui, and The World. She teaches me the ins and outs of how to ask for what I am worthy of receiving. We encourage and motivate each other in so many amazing ways. It will be a partnership filled with opportunities to learn and grow and I could not ask for anything else <3
This is totally different from the plan I had when I left Florida almost five months ago and, wow! I am so grateful that I followed my heart and it led me to this amazing opportunity to be the Artist I have always dreamed of being. West Virginia sparked something inside of me that I can only describe as Wild and Wonderful, just like the state itself. Wild and Wonderful isn’t just the state of West Virginia, it is now my state of mind. There will never be enough words to express my gratitude for the people and places of this place. I honor every single second spent in the humble home of my very dear friend and Soul Sister Serah Morningstar, as well as the homes and company of her sensational siblings: Mary, Faith, Anastasia, Zeke, Jeremiah, and of course Noah, who helped me feel at home in every situation. Also, it was a pleasure to share my writing, wine, and dinners with the father of all of the wonderful children, Larry, who bestowed much wisdom and insight. Serah’s children were also amazing teacher and friends. Kiah (10) and Suzanna (15) grew so dear to my heart and there is where they will always remain.
There is so much I could say, and so many more blogs to be written of this place. To be continued… ☺ Ciao for now! Gratitude & Blessings <3
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