Tag: mind

End: Year Two, Bozeman, Montana

Reflections: 2016. Two years in now. Although my year in Montana has come with more surprises than my year in Minnesota, I’m feeling more adjusted to my “routine of change.” It seems I’m becoming more of a seasonal …

October 22, 2016 – Maple Grove, Minnesota

Do we really need twenty-seven clothing stores here? Thoughts from a man who has grown to despise shopping malls. Unfortunately (but most importantly, fortunately) for me, I picked up a temporary job within walking distance from my older …

September 28, 2016 – Seattle, Washington

“How do you know when to stop putting everyone else’s needs above your own?” …the gentleman sitting across from me asks, rhetorically. He’s holding both of his arms out, palms up, painting a picture for Miri and I …

September 3, 2016 – Bozeman, Montana

And then there were three. Kevin, Elisabeth, and myself. I’m hiking up Sacagawea Peak with them and Thomas, thinking how quickly the time has passed with the others. Paul and Christine left yesterday. Haley and Ally are leaving …

August 18, 2016 – Bozeman, Montana

…And here I am, left starving. Fighting the intrusive thoughts, trying to focus on the task at hand. It’s my first time pouring concrete, but my mind keeps wandering toward a recent night that ended with much more …

September 24, 2015 – Finland, Minnesota

“Hoo, hoo hoo…” Almost as if on cue, we’re greeted by a horned owl as we walk towards the grove. My host is leading the way, torch in hand. He gently strikes the gong with a mallet before …

July 23, 2015 – Crosslake, Minnesota

Oh, there you are. You’ve been away for awhile. I’m sitting in a meditative stance underwater, submersed up to my neck. I just went for a jog – the first since I’ve been here. It’s easy to get …

July 4, 2015 – Crosslake, Minnesota

It’s moments like these that can make a man question everything. Syr is laying on the dock next to her uncle Theo (Mari’s brother), watching the fireworks exploding all around the lake. Mari is there, along with her …

June 1, 2015 – Crosslake, Minnesota

What a beautiful place. Kaia (Mari’s mother) is driving me around town, giving me a tour of the area and their properties. Crosslake is a town amongst the Whitefish chain of lakes, so there are stunning views everywhere. …