GAIA scholarship answers

To give my words, my body, and my life to teach, write, create, and endure as an English Teacher and organism of life's web

I care about the future, and I'm ready to break humanity's habit of short term thinking. I care about creating natural organic communities where work is close to hand and heart. Where unity, balance , and truth build the appropriate system. Where people can live close to nature, not hidden from it behind concrete walls and streets dressed with unnatural grass and shrubbery in a world of materialism and selfish indulgences. I am one individual whose strengths in writing prose or poetry can inspire, and persuade. I will speak with spirit and acquired wisdom creating art with a soul to give to the soullessness of humanity. Already I've started small in hopes of eventually obtaining big results: I pick up trash when I see it, my brother and I have planted a garden, I barter or make what I can, I live a simple life always ready to offer labor or share with whoever asks. I know I am one person, but I'm hoping others will see my progress and follow in action.

My ideal job would not be getting paid for any kind of living. I want to live off the food I've grown or caught myself. I want to be able to make whatever I need, and depend on my community for larger tasks. I would spend my days gardening and providing for my family. I would pick native grapes with my kids and teach them how to make wine. In the evenings whoever desired could gather around me as I sat in my handmade rocker to read from my own work or a cherished author. I would glance up at times to see the faces of loved friends and family with only trees lining the horizon behind them. And I would smile knowing I led a life of simplicity, serenity, and satisfaction.