I have been so busy with the project design and discussions that I need an outlet to download. So here goes.
I am feeling so ALIVE, like excited, terrified, elated, nervous, everything awake and alert, preparing itself for Walking The Talk. I will be diving into homelessness. Scary right? I will start from the very same spot that our participants will start. Without a dwelling, no address, in a free fall right?
I have designed my own safety raft. After losing my income 3 years ago, I have dramatically shifted directions and decided I wanted to trade my life, in small chunks called hours, to something that mattered. Edible education, growing food, sustainable living, less damage to the planet and her inhabitants, consuming as little as possible, living without the need for money, (oh yes I did say that). Obviously it will take money but how much do I really need to live in this manner and how much more FREE and better is my LIFE going to be? How much better is my HEALTH going to be? I think of all the homeless people I serve, I wonder would they want to LIVE in this manner, instead of wasting away on the streets of LA?
I want to find what truly matters in life, which has driven me to research and develop and really find a solution for people who might just need a new direction. We have 850,000 people across this country counted as homeless. The cities, counties and states have a lack of resources to truly impact anyone in a timely manner. Los Angeles alone will see a 6% rent increase over the next year, bumped from 5% reported 3 months ago. Forcing more people on to the streets. The government housing will take 10 years to complete and house a fraction of the population who require it. What I do find farcical are the brand new apartments in downtown LA vacant due to their high rents. We have a population of individuals who work that cannot even find affordable housing, LA $2300 median rent. My 2 – 19 year old’s, got jobs and get 18 hours a week, at $10 an hour so that is $180 per week before taxes. I would rather show them a different way to live, maybe a more rewarding way.
ORGANIC farms benefit as well. They get a skilled set of hands that only costs them meals and hookups. Intentional COMMUNITIES can see population growth gaining skilled members to their communities. Public land will be used as intended, RECONNECTING people with nature and elevating HAPPINESS while participants camp and fish.
EXCITED!! I know that becoming a victim of gentrification is actually freeing me, it is the last wack at the shackles that held me to this slave system. I CHOOSE to trade my LIFE, in chunks of time called hours, toward something meaningful. I am EXHILARATED to travel the country farming in trade for that time, learning and educating, meeting new people, seeing the gorgeous country and sharing that all with YOU!
I feel VIVACIOUS preparing for the journey ahead.