Category: Travel

Living on the shores of Lake Chapala stirred a love of art, unlike anything I previously experienced. Generally, I am attracted to words and sound. I read and listen to music voraciously. While I always appreciated the visual arts, I did not go out...

We were leaving the US with only a vague plan. It has been a year of tremendous growth and uncertainty.

Teaching children to better handle frustration and conflict with Creativity, Compassion, and Courage.

After spending over four months near Lake Chapala, it is time to move on. We will definitely be back but we can't leave without giving a shout out to the places, restaurants, and small businesses we will miss the most.

Art infuses every place you look in Mexico ­– sidewalks, doors, windows, alleyways, and even on trees. In comparison, much of the rest of the world seems afraid of color.

It is impossible to walk down the street without running into street dogs. Most are very shy and avoid people. Many have battle scars, injured legs, and/or mange...Many organizations around Lake Chapala are working to remedy this situation.

And all of this learning occurred on a Sunday, which wasn’t even a day we do “school”. It is pretty spectacular to have the luxury of time, so teachable moments aren’t wasted and deep reflection is possible.

Spending even five minutes reading world “news” these days can be soul crushing and make you feel like goodness in the world is gone. But then you meet people that move through the world in a way that gives you hope.

In stark contrast, every night seems to be a celebration in San Juan Cosala! Sitting on the porch I can hear live bands, roosters crowing, the braying of burros, announcements on loud speakers, the whinnying of horses, an endless chorus of dogs barking, church...

It really is by chance that I have this opportunity. Now, I am trying to find my place in this very weird and uncomfortable position of privilege.

When I started telling people that we were selling our house and moving out of the US, the first question was "Why". Why would you leave Seattle, a city that you have moved back to three times? Why would you choose another country over...

“And tomorrow, I will face what comes…” Of course, I had no idea how relevant they would be.

As we travel through the national parks, people boldly demonstrate their sense of entitlement. It is hard to believe that even with gorgeous canyons and stunning views all around them, they honk at each other, aggressively pass on narrow roads, and flip each other...

As I sat on the porch alone at our home for a few nights in Onalaska, WA, I heard owls hoot, an occasional shriek of a hawk, and the chorus created by chirping crickets. Occasionally the song of farm dogs echoed throughout the valley...

I made one more lap through the house, tears coming intermittently. Then, I pulled myself away. It was time to let go.

As the years passed, impermanence screamed louder.

How could I leave "all my stuff" behind? What do we actually "need"? What if I regret giving my "favorite" things away? What if the house doesn't sell and we have to live here with it empty? What if we change our minds? What if...

"perfection" is what often holds us back from moving forward. Instead of waiting, notice the beauty right in front of you and believe in possibility.