There’s a reason why I have so few entries in this blog, with enormous lengths of time in between. I’m a perfectionist. Each article often plunges deep within to unearth how I truly + deeply feel about whatever topic in question. I get creative, then refine it with the intricate precision of an engraver, like Gunnar Nehls. This process takes time, I don’t like setting limits because it’s all about the substance, meaning and feeling.
But I want to splash sporadically today. Tomorrow’s my birthday, and this week has been a green graduation filled with earthly sensations, doing what I love most: wandering, making the road as I walk, being spontaneous + adventurous, discovering bewildering scenes + moments, and most of all embracing me + my energy. This week, I have been free.
In embracing me + my energy, I have been free
South Downs Way
So I walked 70km over 3 days this week. OK, cool, but what does it really mean? Numbers, numbers, nah. It was an epic adventure. 3 days distinctly different from one another, cooking up a rough track in seconds then seeing how I feel when serenading these trails. Linking up for another one (*DJ Khaled voice*) with my brother ninJA, always something special. Revisiting the roots of my bliss at a time of my choosing since I’m out here grinding to earn my keep and find my feet as I transition from one phase of my life into the next.
The surprises, the discoveries. Just incredible.
Photos will never do the feeling of the moment justice.
I am hugely looking forward to having the South Downs as my playground for however long I remain in the South-East. So many sweeping panoramas from hills that lie low yet have an endless reach across charismatic villages, coastlines, forests + beads of human activity. It defies any norm or standard I’m familiar with since I’ve mostly experienced such views in the mountains. 2 more days – 1 coastal, the other filled with forest – here have convinced me overwhelmingly to complete the South Downs Way and absorb all I can across this unique landscape. The surprises, the discoveries. Just incredible.
Surrey Hills
Can’t forget the Surrey Hills. Two words: MIND. BLOWN. As my brother ninJA would say, it’s not about the size of the boat, but the motion of the ocean. We covered short ground on this day, which largely served as relative convalescence, but MY DAYS it was full of crisp energy + clamour. For what?! Boggling scenes that evoke wild dreams! Dramatic landscapes that quake you into profound silence. To be staggered by something fresh + new. To keep doing what I do, and following my gut, because it never ceases to yield moments of shock + awe.
How do I do it? How do I discover such incredible places and whip the journey so wonderfully. Sometimes we don’t need the answer, but one things for sure, I will forever avoid trying to follow trails prescribed by others in guidebooks, blogs, etc. and instead interpret the land + available maps, then follow my feelings. I’ll forever do it my way, and find my own path.
“It’s not about the size of the boat, but the motion of the ocean”
I love my brother ninJA, grateful to have him here share the journey with me as I embrace the unknown
Green Graduation
I suppose it was written, as on my way home I received belated news that made me erupt like a trumpet in a hot air balloon! My professional registration as a Paramedic had just been confirmed and I bellowed with excitement and relief. It was a moment I will treasure forever, an occasion I will fondly recollect when I grow old and hopefully also recall the preceding adventure that captured my crazy.
Moreover, I hope it will always remind me of my knack for persevering through hardships riddled with curveballs + cruelty. The first person I called + shared the news with after my boy ninJA was quick to drip beads from my seeds having been there to witness their cultivation through all seasons. In hailing me as a phoenix filled with an everlasting elixir I was humbled, flickering + simmering with gratitude for realising how I have continuously conjured good from bad since my childhood and youth.
ninJA calls my willpower a force of nature, and I know deep down I will pluck + plough from low blows to high brows until I get where I need to be. As long as I draw breath I will be there to love, serve + respect, embrace, empower + protect. I guess the battles + wars of my childhood and youth are the foundations for my success, and I still have unfinished business.
As long as I draw breath I will be there to love, serve + respect, embrace, empower + protect
Beautiful
So here I am now, in the beautiful moment of achieving + discovering something new, that watershed between an ending + a new beginning. So often people are sad when something finishes, yet where’s the excitement that something fresh belies the precipice? Fair enough, I guess it’s good to appreciate what has been ventured, the moments that transpired, and I shall do that in another piece.
For now though, what I really want to say is that I’m excited, grateful, and feel privileged to be in this professional position. I very much look forward to being autonomous + bringing my own flare + personality to the role so I can help the people I encounter + freely draw upon the energy from within. I foster a strong sense of responsibility which I yearn to nourish so it can flourish with finesse.
I foster a strong sense of responsibility which I yearn to nourish so it can flourish with finesse.
I’ll persevere, embrace the unknown, and be beautiful.
Nevertheless, the pin, the degree, they’re ultimately all formalities as I know I will never stop learning + evolving. Nor do I ever want to stop! I’m hungry to enrich + expand my skills, knowledge + experience to help people effectively, so let’s see what’s next. Knowing me, there’ll be no shortage of areas to build upon, grow + explore. Although I’m focused on consolidating, I also have one eye on the next step forward. I don’t know what that may be, but be assured, if I want it, I’ll get it. I’ll persevere, embrace the unknown, and be beautiful.
drBACKPACK 