As this lovely Wednesday is winding down, I've noticed I've had halfway points on the mind... I'm in the midst of organizing and cataloguing hundreds of vinyl records, and moving past the halfway point today has been a delightful shift.  I'm a fan of organizing tasks, but even I found 500+ records to be daunting, and around 150/175, it seemed like this project might never end.  Today, as I made it noticeably past 300, it's taken on a whole new feeling; it seems to be sailing by now, and I'm sure the last half will go more quickly than the first, in part because I've found my groove (pun intended), but also because it is far more encouraging to look at these stacks of boxes and know that I've finished 7 of the boxes and only have about 3 left (as opposed to only having finished 3 boxes, with 7 left).  This isn't the only halfway point I'm cognizant of in my life right now, but as the general concept and energy of the mid-way point is consistent across the board, I think you get the idea.

So whether Wednesday is your midpoint for a traditional workweek, or you're looking forward to a vacation or seeing someone, or working on finishing a project, or whatever it is you're anticipating or working through, hopefully this picture can serve as a little reminder to appreciate both where you are and where you're going.  

Happy Hump Day!

Since I've reached my new location in Bellingham, WA, my dream life has spiked, resulting in very intense and loaded dreams.  After having dreams last night that were heavily focused on gender issues/roles, I happened upon this article about modern "Hazards of Manhood," in an older issue of Yes! Magazine.  I am a big fan of men in general, and over the years have often contemplated what is happening to societal gender issues in relation to men; women are not the only ones undergoing major changes in our roles, expectations, and changing definitions of gender.  I've spoken with men who subscribe to this system, men who are gaining consciousness and awareness of it, and men who are flat-out fighting against it, so wherever you may fall on the spectrum (man or woman), I thought this article might be one worth sharing; even if only to make you think a little bit...

After unexpectedly extending my stay in Eugene, OR because I was loving the town and experiences I was having, I finally managed to pull myself away and start driving north to Olympia, WA.  As my time to leave approached and my next adventure began, I happened upon several different quotes and new connections, all in the same day, and all with something similar to say...

First, I was browsing through some books at the place I had been, and saw Tom Robbins' book "Villa Incognito."  I am a huge fan of Tom Robbins and have previously read this book so I decided to flip to two random pages, and this is what I found --

"Just because you're naked
Doesn't mean you're sexy. 
Just because you're cynical
Doesn't mean you're cool.
You may tell the greatest lies
And wear a brilliant disguise
But you can't escape the eyes
Of the one who sees right through you.

I have been traveling for about two and a half weeks now and have been changing places very regularly.  As I've settled into life on the move, and have been becoming more and more in tuned with my truest self, I've began to feel more at "home" everywhere I've been.  I love how this captures my feelings on being at 

Finally making my way in land, I found myself at an awesome little hostel filled with a wide variety of people; some who I could observe from a distance, some who I shared brief but interesting conversations with, and some who I really seemed to connect with.  In addition to the crossing of paths here, I've also been getting in touch with various people whose meetings have been more than just "chance"; it is so delightful and energizing to explore the depth and variety of these connections!

I was planning on leaving the coastal woods of Oregon today to head inland towards bigger towns, but couldn't bring myself to leave the amazing surroundings of nature that I was in.  Lost in my thoughts again and taking in the varied landscapes, I felt like I was rediscovering parts of myself; given the chance, I'm pretty sure I could spend a few weeks camping alone around Oregon

Throughout this journey, I have been spending a lot of time in my head, uncovering layers of thoughts, ideas, and feelings that I guess I haven't "had the time" to really address in their entirety.  While I've been appreciating the landscapes of my surroundings, it has also been very interesting to explore the depths of my personal/mental landscapes...

Portions of this adventure are definitely spent in near solitude as a kind of personal retreat and I love thinking of this anytime I question my decision to travel alone...

Sometimes I can be a sensitive or emotional person, especially when I have to say goodbye or expressing my feelings for people. I've always had a hard time with goodbyes (I just have a lot of love!), but I'm learning along the way, and I love what this has to say about the meaning of being 'sensitive/emotional' :)

At a yoga/meditation sanctuary near Nevada City, connecting to each of these elements is undeniable.  I feel this with the people and land here as well as those who are far from me.