There’s Something Happenin’ Here

What It Is Ain’t Exactly Clear

Lake Kootenay & Lake Slocan (perfect name!), British Columbia- July 18

I left Maui disgusted with myself and generally disgruntled with my fellow man and woman. I knew something needed to change as I felt slightly toxic to myself and therefore probably so to others. I felt like some twisted version of myself that had gotten jammed up until I took careful notice.

One month in and things are shifting, have been shifting. Day by day I feel more and more free and open and, most important, I’m starting to fall in love with my species again.

 It’s hard to know, when you’re in Canada, which comes first- Melanie being open and friendly to everyone, or Canadians just being Canadians and pulling the friendliness right out of me. I can reliably get a smile and a wave out of everyone, if not a conversation. I’m just loving the quirky, all-shapes-and-sizes, straightforwardness of these folks. And the countryside is pretty damn fantastic.

After a long, warm walk along a wooded trail I bushwhacked down to Lake
Slocan and skinny dipped in this restorative water

So what is it? Getting away on my own? Non-stop natural beauty? No pressure? Simple living? Living on solar time? I don't know. I'm thinking there are other times in my life when all this wouldn't have had the same impact. But when I don't even have to remind myself to be grateful, and gratitude just hangs around me all the time, I know something important is at play.

This Japanese garden is at the site of a Japanese Internment Camp during WWTwo. Yes, even Canadians can be shamefully racist and do inexcusable things. The juxtaposition of the museum and this garden is just a tribute to Japanese aesthetic

I wish for all people the chance to feel free and open and in love with the world and humanity. Whatever it takes, it's so worth it.

Aside: I know that there is so much pain and sadness happening and being created in the world right now. I know that my small adventure is absolutely outside of reality. I know that I am beyond lucky to have this opportunity. I also know that to find love in my heart for humanity, I need a time out to talk to regular people. The news warps our minds, at least warps mine. Out here, the world is a friendly place. I am soaking up that friendliness like a sponge- hungry for it, needing it like life's blood. I will make good use of it somehow, in the future, I feel sure.