Vision

Do you have a vision of success in your life, the story you tell yourself about your
most joyful, fulfilling future? What does it look like?

Reading this, I instantly freeze up. Once upon a time, I thought I knew the answer to this. I thought my goal was along a political path and that I was heading to the EPA. Now...I did work in the field and work in politics and my faith in the system is burnt. Many people have told me I should go back to that path, but I am not so sure about it anymore.

So, what replaces it?

I have talked about several ideas for what direction I might go. Right now, I can't find the post which detailed some of them, but of course that has changed many times in the last six years. Part of the problem is there are no clear choices. It's sort of a "If you could do ANYTHING...?" *sigh* Very scary.

What vision do I have NOW?

I have been enjoying my garden work. I have always wandered through people's gardens, even as a child. I have some knowledge about native species and am interested in wildcrafting. Walking though the woods, it's fun to point out the plants and trees that I do know, and I often impress the people I'm with.

Last night, in my spat with insomnia, I found a volunteer position that holds appeal:

To assist with the multi-faceted efforts of restoring, protecting and perpetuating native ecosystems consistent with the District’s natural areas management program. To share knowledge obtained with volunteers, staff and the public. Oversee the management of a local preserve site, working with the restoration staff to meet the goals listed in the annual management schedule. Schedule monthly workdays to help achieve those goals. Work with the Volunteer Coordinator to recruit volunteers for the site.

Local forest preserve. An opportunity to work in environmental spaces and toward improving the natural world for future generations. Sharing my knowledge about plants and leading workshops. Something I think I would find very fulfilling. For this particular position, I need to put in one to three years as an assistant, first. The assistant role asks for a 3 hour commitment weekly. I mentioned it to Beloved, and he says GO FOR IT!

I've also put in a contact to one of the local colleges about their horticulture degree. It's mid-summer, so that is slow going. I have hopes that I'll actually talk to the advisor sometime this week.

There's the beginning here. Not just words or ideas, but an actual program and job. Baby steps, but steps in the direction of a path.