The Path to Change

        I’m writing this from the home of my wonderful friends Alyssa and Dan, who have opened up their hearts and spare bedroom to let me stay here for a few days while I visit Fargo/Moorhead. Returning to South Dakota was emotional, but it wasn’t until I drove into Fargo, North Dakota that it really hit me. “THIS feels like home,” I said to myself as I was driving through the snow-covered highways of the city. I’ve visited with a lot more of my family, surprised my “Fargo family” that I used to nanny for, and visited with several friends… all who have greeted me with big hugs, smiles, and excitement; lots of happy tears have fallen since last week.

        Staying at the houses of friends and strangers has been a life changing experience for me. This brave notion of Couchsurfing understandably made people skeptical of my travel plans; I was warned to be extremely cautious when traveling, especially because of my single female status. However, I can honestly say there was not a single time where I truly felt like my safety was compromised. Even in backwoods Ohio when that man blurted out, “You’re so far out here, no one would even hear you scream,” I was nervous, but there was a sense of protection from another stranger that dulled the fear. Choosing love over fear has made this adventure full of wonderful lifelong friendships and memories.

        The last six months have held a common theme, from all of the places that I’ve slept and visited: “Make yourself at home.” There are so many generous people out there. I only had to pay money for lodging one night when I couldn’t make it to my planned campsite and had to stop at a state park. Aside from regular free/primitive camping, the rest was either in exchange for my labor or simply that kind people opened up their homes to a fellow human. The latter was not merely cases of freeloading and moving onto the next gluttonous opportunity once I overstayed my welcome (as one of my brothers jokingly said). Once money is taken out of the equation, you’re left with genuine human interaction and relationships. A kind person doing good things for other kind people perpetuates a “pay it forward” community, all out of love and not money.

        Traveling this summer felt like stepping back in time when money didn’t exist—or at least not to the current rampant consumeristic extent—and bonding with strangers over common interests and the act of giving for the sake of taking care of people and communities. Although now I realize that I didn’t step back in time; this is the world we live in. The media thrives on our fears and reports all of the horrible things around the globe. And don’t get me wrong, I haven’t experienced those horrors up close (yet), and they are still very much prevalent. But so is peace. So are love and generosity and benevolence and empathy and hope. People who open up their homes without the involvement of money are basing their behavior on friendship and compassion, not the expectation of reciprocation or compensation.

        My home is here. It is there. It is everywhere. Fargo/Moorhead calls to me because of this big pocket of friends and family surrounding it. I look forward to the days I can have people visit my little farm sanctuary and be so incredibly welcomed home. Until then, the next chapter ahead of me will be accompanied by a couple of very dear friends and all will be traveling our little homes around the country. Anyone else is welcome to join me in this adventure (the circus is always hiring!) and at the very least, welcome to visit with free tickets and hugs waiting for you. “Give what you can and take what you need. These arms are wide open and here when you need. I know you must go soon, so go plant good seeds. And be careful which of the two wolves that you feed.”