Homeless in the US

“What if we choose not to do the things we are supposed to do? The principal gain is a sense of an authentic act – and an authentic life. It may be a short one, but it is an authentic one, and that’s a lot better than those short lives full of boredom. The principal loss is security. Another is respect from the community. But you gain the respect of another community, the one that is worth having the respect of.”

~ Joseph Campbell

Since I made the decision two years ago to walk away from Babylon, consumerism, and society’s definition of success, I also walked away from a lot of security.  In giving up a traditional job, I also gave up a traditional home.  There were times when this decision felt very precarious to me, but I always landed in a comfortable place and had my very basic needs taken care of.

There was the beautiful home I was blessed to occupy in Granada for a time with my sister and a visiting friend, there are the small hotels and wellness centers full of beautiful artwork I’ve been lucky enough to care for and occupy, and there are the comfortable homes with loving families who have taken me in.  In each moment, I’ve counted my blessings to awake in a dry, warm, comfortable and safe place.

Never before has the decision to walk away from the security of the American Dream felt so dangerous as these past few months traveling and working in the US.   Continue reading “Homeless in the US”