back in the saddle

Hello, I am at The Mountain now. This is the converted camp ground in Mass where my training is taking place. I have been busy with learning the history of Africa, presenting projects, and building/cleaning things. There is alot that has happened but it would take me some time to list these things so I will press on. Life here is completely different and same. We are all secluded from the real world and, I think, share a common interest of change so we are fortunate enough to be each other's company. At the same time, there is the same conflict of personalities that there will always be when we choose to see it that way.

I have had some conflicts and some resolutions already and I am grateful for them today. Tomorrow my team leaves to fundraise for three weeks. We are split into two groups, one half of us going to Richmond, VA and the other half is headed for Boston. HOLY CRAP is what I say because I am aware of the development about to take place in so short a time. I think sometimes it will be painful and when it is, I am sure it will seem unbearable but actually, I am still very much looking forward to who we will be on the other side of this. The fears and misperceptions I will be able to shed is exciting to me. I am fortunate to have chosen this uncertainty. Sleeping at strangers houses, and having to fundraise food, standing in the freezing cold for eight, nine, ten hours a day, fighting, group meetings, crying, laughing, anger, crying some more...sweet.

The word on the street is that we are more prepared than most teams. We have permits for all our cities, stores to stand outside of, places to sleep for three weeks, warm clothes for everyone, signs made by me and these cool arm bands made with burlap and spraypaint, buckets for collecting money, smiles. Now all we need to raise is $66,000. HOLY CRAP!

Mentally, I've been doing push-ups. Meditation morning and night, three pages writing every morning, and reading. Currently reading Ethics by Dalai Lama and a biography of Martin Luther King. I wrapped up a bio on Gandhi a month ago. My main focus in my practice right now is self-discipline and patient forbearance. I certainly am about to have alot of practice with the. I have the feeling I will have quite the canvas in which to practice on while away in Richmond.