rites of passage

i am back in denver, returning home from another home, black rock city. this being my 4th year going to the desert, i really experienced my week in a unique way and learned a lot about myself. i fully opened my heart up to burning man and it has become even more so a part of my daily life and general attitude, shaping my life and yearly cycle. sharing and learning with so many friendly people from around the world was a refreshing, uplifting experience that got me out of a slump i wasn't even fully aware i was in.
i took a couple disposable cameras and did many sketches and journal entries that i will be posting throughout the week as i decompress and recollect my thoughts and belongings.


Sunday night after the temple burn we had our RV packed up and started the long journey home, through all of Nevada, Utah, a little bit of Wyoming and down to denver through laramie and fort collins. our plan was to stop at a lake and jump into water, washing off all the dust. it sounded like heaven and i was really looking forward to a body of nurturing water. instead our battery and alternator failed us and we were stuck in Winnemucca, Nevada for 4 hours.
as Juicy worked under the hood, Griffen and i found a beautiful shady cemetery across the street and laid in the green grass eating foods and making lists of positive things about our trip. reflecting and remembering what we had seen, felt, and been through in those 8 days.

making lists of things that you love, things you want to do more of, art ideas, and mantras feel good and are great to put on a wall/bulletin board/focus board. i want to share some of my lists with you.


helpful MANTRAS to myself..

let go!
be present
listen deeply
have an open heart
stay strong
smile more

one of my favorites, that represents a really positive mindset,
"the grass is greener when you water it"


things i want to practice more of..
listening
teaching skills i know
talking to strangers
deep breathing
honesty
positive affiermations
acro yoga
playing music with people
having patience
slacklining
being more involved in my community
having my journal with me all the time
aromatherapy
stretching

things that make me happy..
silliness
shel silverstien
cool early monrings in the summer
yoga
learning languages
raw veggies
taking pictures
friends
tea
snuggling
fabric
tools
metal
wood
scents
candles
insence
birds
bugs
drums
riding bikes
paint