Written by Guest Author, Wanda Weller
Libby and I met 10 years ago at an incredible event, held at a glorious biodynamic winery in Northern California, that has quite significantly shaped both of our lives ever since. We have walked many miles together since that first encounter, sharing the peaks and valleys of our own journeys, supporting each other along the way and, I imagine, will continue to do so until our final days.
It is in the spirit of one's own journey, supported and given strength by the love and wisdom of dear friends, like Libby, that I share this.
Lately, I’ve had almost an insatiable appetite to travel, to move, go somewhere, and get outside of my daily routine and my comfort zone, in an effort to find my way again after a recent layoff and the uncertainty of where I will land next.
Taking to the road, either by car or by foot, provides me with the insight and clarity I require to move forward with a renewed sense of direction and purpose. And this recent turn of events has been no different in activating my wanderlust.
What I find interesting in the forward motion to somewhere, is that for me, a road trip is an amazing way to see the broad-stroke of the beautiful, unfolding landscape before me, but it’s when I stop and begin to walk the land and have a more intimate connection and sense of place, that the magic of awareness and inquiry really begins to settle in.
Almost as soon as I learned of my being laid off, I went for a walk in the deep forested park in the Pacific Northwest, close to my home, in search of some answers. For me, the forest has always provided me with a healing space, bathing me with an energy that feels comforting, wise, and deeply nourishing, all at once.
When I’m struggling with the “what now?” I know I need to get outside in order to reach deep inside for some answers. It’s time to head to the local park and get on my favorite trail, where I can trust in the familiarity of a path I have walked many times before, providing me with the confidence of knowing where I am (literally) so that I can get lost in my thoughts and be guided toward the discovery of where my next journey will take me.
What I discovered for myself on that particular day, in the safety of the giant Douglas Firs and Oregon White Oaks, was the strong voice inside telling me to go south, to the desert, and get access to the wide open, vulnerable, and unforgiving land, walk for as long as it takes, and listen to what is being offered. I called Libby, sharing my insights and she, without hesitation, enthusiastically encouraged me to GO!
And with that, I packed up my car and pointed it south towards the Mojave Desert, a place I have been to many times over the years and where I have experienced some of my most profound insights, which have provided me with guidance and perspective during other times of big transition and uncertainty.
Admittedly, I don’t always have to “go away” to find the healing benefits in my walking practice, but lately it has felt necessary and essential to include that as part of my journey, allowing for time to reflect, check in, and be more present wherever I am.
There is a clarity through motion, a grace in quieting the mind and finding the natural rhythm with one’s step, the breath and the environment, that will always provide the answers we are seeking. We just have to slow down long enough to listen.
And while the road trip that took me to the Desert from the Pacific Northwest is now behind me, the journey forward, it seems, has only just begun, with more clarity and intention, unfolding one step at a time, down the path that was always meant for me.
What I learned along the way:
Change is inevitable. How we choose to respond to change is entirely up to us, so choose consciously.
As hard as it can be sometimes, trust the process forward and your own capacity to evolve.
When the universe delivers a sign or a helping hand, have gratitude, and more will come your way.
Get rid of the noise that keeps you stuck in negativity (news, apps, alcohol, the past) and fill up on things that empower you, inspire you, and excite you.
Surround yourself with a group of people you love and trust.
Take a walk, take a road trip, just take time for yourself, and get really comfortable with your own company.
And always take the scenic route.
With over 30 years of professional design experience in the fashion and product design industry, Wanda Weller is a leader in Sustainable Design through education, design and commerce, and events. She led the product design, textile, and graphic design teams at Patagonia for almost 10 years. She created a successful, sustainable, lifestyle boutique in Ojai, California, and also founded an Organic Home Textile Company with the mission of “Radical Transparency”, delivering certified and verified products that are both environmentally and socially sustainable. Follow Wanda at @greencenturymodern.