Short stories about removing negativity, and replacing it with positive experiences. Negativity has always been a big part of my life. I tend to dwell on the past and never really move forward. I never really understood that my actions could hurt other people. I always thought of it just as “what ever I do only affects myself”, when in reality, my rash decisions could hurt others. I need to make a change in my life, and it starts now. I am making myself a new smart goal, as my last smart goal has ended. I will push all negativity out of my life, whether that means people that aren’t good influences, thoughts that are negative, and life choices that are still affecting my life today. And, I will not give up blogging and writing. It is called the past for a reason. To start off day one of my new goal, I am going to write why I want to be an Outdoor Education teacher focusing in Adventure Based Therapy. I have always been one with the woods. The B.S. in Adventure Therapy at Unity College combines therapeutic and counseling skills with challenging experiences in nature to promote wellness, build communities, and establish healthy relationships between people and their environment. – See more at: http://www.unity.edu/academics/areas-of-study/majors/adventure-therapy#sthash.L6wcQD8c.dpuf The B.S. in Adventure Therapy at Unity College combines therapeutic and counseling skills with challenging experiences in nature to promote wellness, build communities, and establish healthy relationships between people and their environment. – See more at: http://www.unity.edu/academics/areas-of-study/majors/adventure-therapy#sthash.L6wcQD8c.dpuf Ever since I was young, I have thrived outside. I was never indoors. I didn’t own a laptop, cell phone, tablet, or anything else. I did have a Nintendo DS, but rarely played it. Every chance I got, rain or snow, I was outside in the woods. When I was out there, I felt at peace. There is a circle in the woods that is grass. I built a shelter out there when I was around 8, brought a few chairs out there, made a fire pit, and basically lived out there. I knew where I was, what was around me, and that it made me happy. Being out there gave me such pride in what I had accomplished. I would lay down in the grass circle and stare at the tops of the trees. I would watch them sway until I got dizzy from staring too hard. A copious amount of vines would grow out there, and I would climb on them and find an L shape in the vine and sit at the top, overlooking my backyard and woods. Sometimes, If you were quiet enough, a deer or two would walk through. Sometimes, fisher cats and fox’s also. In the summer, it was harder to get in there as I was severely allergic to poison ivy and poison oak. In third grade, I got it all over my face and wore a bag over my head until my teacher yelled at me to take it off. Since then, whenever I get poison ivy or someone else gets it, I get so paranoid. During the summer, I would stick to the yard. In the yard, I would attempt to garden. Most of the time, other than one that summer when my strawberries and green beans magically thrived, it failed. It was fun to do, even if it always didn’t turn out as successful as I hoped. In the yard, these tiny white flowers grew in small bunches. I am pretty sure they were called Bluets, or white bluets, I could be wrong. Anyways, when I was around 6 or so years old, I used to sit outside with the flowers and talk to them. I don’t remember what I said those few times I did talk to the flowers, but it was peaceful and relaxing. Ever since, I have tried my best to get up and go outside as many times as possible. Recently, it has been difficult to do so, but I do remember a few memorable times in the past few years that have changed my life for the better. When I was in eighth grade, I had to choose a M.E.L.P. (March Experiential Learning Program). I, not spontaneous, tried to choose out of my comfort zone. When reading the options with my best friend, we both looked at “Canoeing the Rio Grande” and immediately chose it. I, avid canoer and kayaker, was so excited. When it started to get close to March, I got nervous. I immediately regretted my decision, hoping I could get out of it in some way. I had never been away from home without my parents before. The night before, all packed and ready to leave at 3 a.m., I cried on the top of my bunk bed and told my Mom I didn’t want to go. My dad walked in, asked what was wrong, and I told him I didn’t want to go. They both told me I had to, so I went. I took a dive into the unknown and uncomfortable, and came out a better person. The plane ride over was incredible. My best friend and I had seats right next to each other, of course I had the window seat, and I was so excited. All fear had disappeared. We had a layover, and then the flight to El Paso, Texas. When we got to El Paso, everything was in Spanish (thank god I took it). The moment we walked outside, it was 90 degrees and hailing. Mother nature is crazy cool sometimes. We had two Dodge Grand Caravans, so we had to split up. My friend and I were both in the same car, so I was pretty happy about that. The car ride took forever. I’m pretty sure it was 5 hours long and straight the whole way. When we arrived, I remember having to pee so bad. But, the view was incredible.We were in the middle of the mountains. Everything was sand and dirt. Everything was pure earth. We walked into the Far Flung Outdoor Center, where we learned how to pitch our portable tents, pack our water safe bags, and pack our canoes so when we were canoeing, we wouldn’t tip over. Then, we took the hour ride over to the river. The Rio Grande (one of the principal rivers in the southwest United States and northern Mexico. The Rio Grande rises from south-central Colorado in the United States and flows to the Gulf of Mexico) is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. After arriving, we all got in our canoes. My friend was in the front, I was in the back. Everyday we paddled close to 10 miles. Being surrounded with nothing but earth was the most satisfying feeling. I felt so alive and happy. It was difficult to bathe and go to the bathroom, but other than that, I was so happy. During the trip, I witnessed many campfires, shooting stars, and smiling faces. We canoed for about five days and not once did I miss home. I was where I was meant to be, the outdoors. I have been on many trips in my life, but this one definitely created a spark. I used to not know what I was going to do as a career. I thought about being a Veterinarian, but I can’t dissect anything nor bare to see injured and sick animals. I also thought about being a history teacher, but the thought of being inside a classroom all day was not a pleasant one. Then, I found Outdoor Education. Every part of it was right. Not only until just recently did I find Adventure Based Therapy, also known as, Wilderness Therapy. I was at my colleges open house when I first heard of it. When I was walking around the gym looking at all of the different degree displays, I heard the words “Adventure Based Therapy” and literally ran over to the lady who was talking about it. Everything she talked about felt like it was “meant to be”. This was my calling. This is my calling. Adventure Based Therapy : it is a field that is about 40 years old. It grew out of the outdoor and wilderness adventure movement of the early 1960’s and has quickly evolved into a mode of practice that occurs in outdoors, in remote natural settings and sometimes indoors. After listening to the Outdoor Education director talk about the program, I knew this was for me. I have always had such a need to help people. Knowing that I will be able to combine my love for the outdoors and my love for helping people is so satisfying. Since this career has not been around for a long time, I hope to make a big impact. I want the people I help to know that not being okay is okay. I also want to break the stigma of mental health and seeing a therapist. Maybe, by implementing a separate location “couch free”, people will feel more comfortable. Let the outdoors heal you, as it has healed me. I am so excited for my future in Outdoor Education and Adventure Based Therapy. This is my purpose, and I will not let negativity get in the way of my hopefully happy future in Outdoor Education and Wilderness Therapy. I’m so blessed to be here. (Written January 8, 2016 )
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Caroline Loftus "Our shoes are tattered and torn, but our feet are dry. As for our places in history, we will run naked through your streets before we sit decorated in your halls." Archives
January 2017
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