by Judith Geiger

Years of change have formed a strong foundation for my life. I know in my heart that change often enriches my life yet it takes me a while to see the friend that change can be. Often a grieving process for the old holds me captive which blinds me to the new possibilities.

I found this to be the case for me a couple of years ago. Living on a farm in central New York I get to experience nature, animals and (as they say) God in the details. For me, there is no greater joy than to journey across our fields into the woods as my husband and our dog, Gretchen, walk beside me looking for things to explore. Gretchen might be chasing a leaf that is being tossed by the wind while David is scanning the hillsides for the big buck our neighbor told him lives there.

by Rain Fordyce

Living green is an important part of who I am, and has been for as long as I can remember.  When I lived at home, my mom was the only conservationist I knew.  She reused plastic bags, foil, grocery bags, told us not to waste water, paper or food.  She believed in reusing clothes, fabric and had a bin of throw away parts that we created crafts out of.  We ate sprouts, homemade granola, carob and whole wheat everything.  Little did I know the amazing foundation she created in me. 

Dear Rain,

I have experienced moments of living authentically, and I want desperately to move my whole life into that current.  The trouble I face is this: I feel "called" by two very different things.  I've spent the past fifteen years flip-flopping between them; first as an actress and singer and second mathematics.  Most recently, as I was about to do my first round of professional opera auditions, my family moved to the woods of Maine and there's no opera to speak of here.  I enrolled in a music production program and now I'm longing for math and I'm considering a Master's in economics, while I produce my music on the side. I long to find satisfaction with  my work and know I'm using both my analytical mind and my creative mind to make a positive difference in my community.  I feel like a fool in the eyes of my in-laws and other onlookers who respect consistency and practicality. I just wonder...how do I stop flip-flopping? 

by Angie Goodloe

Seven years ago, I had a pivotal breakthrough in my life. Earlier that year I had been in a serious car accident that basically stopped me in my tracks. Due to the accident, I was bed-ridden for a few months while suffering chronic back, neck and leg pain. I had healed somewhat, although still in pain, I was able to walk and function. Normally well known for being gregarious, having a loud boisterous laugh and always smiling, my essence had become almost unrecognizable.  I had been hiding away from others and avoiding social contact because I was just not myself.  To top that off, I was working in a career I didn’t like.  I was going in the wrong direction and I knew I wasn’t being my authentic self, even though I wasn’t sure what my “authentic self” would look like.

by Misha Thomas

I first got introduced to vegetarianism in the 70’s, and back then, I did it as a way to protest the exploitation of our planet and to conserve and extend our food supply by not wasting grains to fatten up cows and hogs for our own consumption.  I didn’t really do it for health, although I came to believe that it was healthier for me.  In fact, I noticed after being vegetarian for a number of years that even looking at meat or smelling it almost made me nauseous.  It was as if my whole body rebelled against it.