Where in the heck is Janet?

January 2011




Many of you don’t have a clue where I have been. I know you have been thinking that I must have been eaten by a bear in the wilderness of British Columbia…..Not a chance I know antibear chants and they work!

I have been a sun worshipper/beach bum for the last 3 months in the state of Oaxaca Mexico. This is an absurd thing for me. Why? Because for the past 50 years I have lived near the coast in California and rarely, I mean rarely went to the beach, even less did I swim in the ocean. And, I have never been a bum…..so I will restate that I was on sabbatical! I lived under my US$1000/mo budget with a few fringe benefits like yoga.

I had the privilege of time to contemplate the direction of my life and my intentions deeper. I had the time to face many fears with constructive analysis and prayer. Many of my insights have been rich and deep. Having had the opportunity to live in another culture has brought me more patience and humor of life. I thought I was flexible with life but here it is really put to the test!

Oaxaca is one of the poorest states of Mexico. Although I spent most of my time in an undiscovered resort town (by Americans), just outside of town is 3rd world. I have learned to adjust my needs vs my wants more accurately. Here is a list of things I have learned:

*I have a 10x10 sq foot storage unit and based on my new priorities I don’t need any of it.

*The many uses of an empty yogurt container

*How adaptable I am

*Kindness and helpfulness is a natural response among all

*Ocean waves can heal anything

*Using a flush toilet is privilege

*I can let go of a cell phone….and like it!

*There is an emerging culture that is with out borders of equanimity, peace and harmony…and it’s larger than I thought

*I can live with adrenalin as a by product of legitimate fear

My most exciting news is I found a very small community in the mountains here to become part of. They live off the power grid, have a small herbal medicine hospital, birthing room and help spiritually lost people mainly from drug and alcohol abuse. They are seeking someone to create and maintain a food garden. They have asked me to take this project on! I will be returning to BC to the farm where I was wwoofing and learn as much as I can until September and then load a small 4 wheel drive pick up and head south. I didn’t expect this! I don’t know why….this has been my intention all along. I just thought Mexico would be a place to beat the weather, deep relaxation and contemplation since there’s no farming to be done in the snow.

“When you want something the whole universe conspires to fulfill your desire.”