BLOG 210—Have You Ever Slept in the Wilderness?

With my words, I hope to throw some oblique light upon your life.
I want to inspire you to see life in a different and/or better way.

*** To read past blog posts, go to >> kitsummers.com/blog/
*** If you are reading this through Facebook, check out my blog on my website.
*** Thanks, my wife, Beth, for editing and adding to each weekly blog.
*** I was hit by two different trucks, one involving a 37-day coma.
*** The happiness I am experiencing in my life is a marvelous thing!
*** I will have places to show you and tales to tell.
*** Secrets to unfold and good news!

BE TAKEN AWAY WITH ME
ON WONDERFUL ADVENTURES!

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TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK >>
Sleep-Wilderness-You?
Is wilderness part of your life?

Starting in my teens with the boy scouts, the out-of-doors has been a big part of my life. After significant life changes, I hit the road and visited as many national parks as possible. For about six years, I traveled, lived in my van, and visited every national park in mainland America.

Just seeing these different locations, advanced my life. When you get back to nature, it is so fulfilling and truly life-changing. Get out to nature as often as possible; you will find relief and relaxation.

Here are some other ways to relax and release with nature >>

1- Escape
Come to where I live, in the woods, and you’ll soon find that you’ve left the moody crowds, the barrage of commerce, and the giant cloud of pollution far behind you. You’re now free to explore a completely natural environment. There are no advertisements, screens, or barriers between you and the outside world!

2- Self-improvement
The modern world has us seeking constant entertainment and/or gratification at every turn – and that’s just not healthy for you! An easy way to escape this is to change your environment and get away from nature! You need to expose yourself to healthy food, a fun way to exercise, and an environment that encourages you to switch off from the strains of this daily life. Change is a good thing.

3- Natural Environment
Experts and you are convinced that plants and the natural world make people feel better, have mental benefits, reduce stress, and improve concentration. So how about heading to a natural wilderness surrounded by lush green fields, trees, and picturesque coastal areas when possible?

4- Exercise
Running, sea kayaking, juggling, swimming, jumping, and hiking are possibly the most fun ways of doing exercise without knowing you’re getting physically fit! Instead of being surrounded by the same four walls and sweaty gym, you’ll be too busy enjoying the stunning views to realize how fit you’re getting in this different environment!

5- Clean air, plants, and sea breeze
No polluting your vision in the city, no car exhaust fumes, industrial pollution, and no litter as far as the eye can see – This is a world away from where you are right now. You need a good dose of country air and wilderness or the beach, combined with a gentle sea breeze to blow away those cobwebs and remind you what clean air tastes like!

6—Meet different people!
How many new people do you meet each day?
Do you even look for new people?
Sure, you might be crammed in with many others on a bus like a sardine in a can, but do you ever say hello and meet others?? Take the time to meet people and get to know some of them. It will add to your life—there’s, too!

7—When you are by the sea!
Many people believe humans are happiest by the ocean. It is believed that fresh sea air is good for your sleep, and it has healthy negative ions that accelerate our ability to absorb oxygen. Negative ions also balance serotonin levels, a chemical linked to mood and stress. This is precisely why you feel more alert, relaxed, and energized after when you are near an ocean!

9- Slow down
You can take a weekend and do a wilderness adventure at any pace you wish! Sure, you might not get to determine the speed you’re falling at as you might leap off the cliffs into a green ocean, but the environment here is guaranteed to let you relax and have fun at your own pace. Whatever your outing, take your time and relax.

10 – Pleasure
Just because you’re having outdoor fun away from home doesn’t mean you have to sleep in a cramped tent or the cold! This is your time; perhaps you want some friends to join you and have fun. Find time to get away and do just that.

What new stories are you ready to write?

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WORDS TO INSPIRE YOU! >>
Inspirational quotes and motivational sayings have a unique ability to change the way we feel about life and can change our thinking.

I find them so interesting, challenging, and essential on our path to joy and happiness and finding ways to inspire ourselves and others.

Inspirational quotes and ideas give us a quick and timely burst of wisdom to get our focus back, offering the inspiration needed for the day or occasion.

I hope to inspire you with my words.
Words have power.

Are you accomplishing what you want before your eventual death?
At any age, you can (and should) make changes to make your life better.

How you think and feel about yourself, including your beliefs and expectations about what is possible for you, determines everything that happens in your life. It all derives from your quality of thinking.

WHEN YOU IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF YOUR THINKING,
YOU CHANGE THE QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE—SOMETIMES INSTANTLY!

Just as positive words can make someone smile, and/or a well-timed amusing quote can make someone laugh, your thoughts react to the world in real-time. You have this control!

You have complete control over only one thing in the universe — Your Thinking — and that’s where motivational quotes come in!

To keep your motivation, you have to use each day as an opportunity to improve and get closer to your goals. It might sound like a lot of work—and with your busy schedule—next to impossible. But you can do it!

Self-talk is so essential—THINK RIGHT!
Motivational words, yes, they’re just words.
But they’re positive words; they will keep you on track.

EVEN IF YOU START LATE, ARE UNCERTAIN,
OR ARE DIFFERENT –
YOU CAN STILL FIND SUCCESS!
Don’t forget that you are only as young as the last time you changed your mind!
Keep your thoughts and self-talk fun and productive, and always reach for more advancement.
REMEMBER, VERY LITTLE IS NEEDED TO MAKE A GREAT LIFE.

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I HOPE THE FOLLOWING WORDS FROM JOHN MUIR INSPIRE YOU >>

“In every walk with Nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir
“Between every two pine trees, there is a door leading to a new way of life.” – John Muir
“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!” – John Muir
“None of Nature’s landscapes are ugly so long as they are wild.” ― John Muir
“Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods. Sleep in forgetfulness of all ill.” ― John Muir
“Come to the woods, for here is rest. There is no repose like that of the green deep woods.” – John Muir
“Going to the mountains is going home.” – John Muir
“Earth has no sorrow that earth cannot heal.” – John Muir
“Wander a whole summer if you can…time will not be taken from the sum of your life. Instead of shortening, it will lengthen it and make you truly immortal.” – John Muir
“And into the forest, I go, to lose my mind and find my soul.” – John Muir

COMPOSE A NOBLE BOOK AND WRITE A BEST-SELLER.
YOU ARE AMAZING—PLAY YOUR PART!

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MY DAILY JOTTINGS >>
Each week goes by so quickly, don’t you think?
And time seems to be going faster all the time.
Do you keep track of what you do each day?
Do this for a few weeks, and you will see your time differently.

2/25—More work on the above-ground gardens today. They should supply a lot of food for us. Have you set up yours, yet?

2/26—Sunday, went to church today. Beth’s friend, Wendy, invited us to join her at firstbethany.org. I’ve been to churches across the US, one in New Zealand and one in England. Sorry to say, there is not much difference in presentations between any of them.

I continue to not believe in any of the gods humans have created. There are many more important things to think about, like living life.

My wife went to church every week and believed.

She wrote these words recently:

Today is Sunday, church day for many, especially here in the Bible belt. Kit and I were invited by my friend, Wendy, to visit her church just down the road a bit from us. This morning, we attended the First Bethany Baptist Church. I will be telling this from my point of view, not my husband’s.

My back story, in brief, I attended church my whole life, from birth until around 10 years ago. And may I say, I. Was. Involved. Walking into First Bethany Baptist Church filled me with nostalgia so strong, I wanted to cry. The people, the music, and the memories came flooding back. Growing up in church with my family, especially my sisters, made me miss this so much.

And then, the sermon. My views have nothing to do with the pastor, personally. Pastor John is truly a kind, gentle man, and it was obvious to me that he wants to help people. The sermon was like most, and I have heard them all before. I was in church for over 50 years, and I’m old. There is nothing new under the sun. I felt like I was at book club and the leader discussed our monthly novel. The resurrection of Jesus was proof that everything he said was true. I beg to differ.

History has similar stories. It all depends on which one you choose to believe if any. Attis, Romulus and Remus, Dionysus, google their stories. Never take someone’s word on anything. Do your due diligence.
https://gsgriffin.com/2016/12/08/other-gods-born-to-virgins-on-december-25-before-jesus-christ/
and
https://gsgriffin.com/2016/12/08/other-gods-that-rose-from-the-dead-in-spring-before-jesus-christ/

None of these stories, including the story of Jesus, is proof of anything. What I once had was faith and belief without proof. The books these stories are in are not proof of anything real. It all depends on your own need to believe.

Let me try to explain how I see things:
Suppose you, the believer, were to attend a church with me, a non-believer. My church is MUFON (Mutual UFO Network). People have been hearing about aliens all their lives. Sometimes you believe the stories, sometimes they sound too hokey. Sometimes you want to believe them because a close friend or relative deeply believe and are very involved.

But for you, there is no proof. All you have are people telling you what they saw and what happened to them. The “minister” at the pulpit leading the story, and the congregation are all wonderful, kind people But just because they believe in their “religion” does not make it true. But thank you for attending for my sake. Now I feel better that I have exposed you to my reality.

I do feel things deeply. Once, I was in church with a friend and heard angels singing. I was so overcome with emotion that I’ve never forgotten this experience. Did angels sing to me? Probably not. I have no proof other than a feeling.

I saw my favorite band, YES, play in Philadelphia at the Spectrum. (I don’t care what they call it now. For me, it will always be the Spectrum). One song, in particular, hit me in the “feels.” To this day, I can remember how the music felt as it went through my entire body. (no, I was not high) That was the most beautiful feeling. At that moment, if any band member had told me to come to follow them, I’d have gone. Feelings are not reliable.

Today I need tangible proof. The Bible is a book. I read lots of books. Jesus, the man, may be a real person documented in history, but he is not the son of any god. Nor was he born of a virgin. (Can you seriously believe that a virgin child (Mary was 13-14 years old) gave birth because a spirit flew over her, but you don’t believe sightings of Aliens, which have been documented many more times than an actual virgin birth?) I shake my head at the things I was taught to follow.

I have so many more examples of why I do not believe and none as for why I should believe. Maybe in the next blog. I am happy for those who are content to believe in a god. If that is what you desire, great. I can respect that. And I understand it. I was once one of you.

And I won’t denigrate you for believing what you do. I thank you for caring enough about me to invite me to church, or to tell me that you will be praying for me, but I respectfully ask that you stop trying to bring me back into the fold because you think you are right, and I am wrong. If I wanted to be a sheep, I’d have bought a farm.
(Thanks for writing that, Beth.)

2/27—I went back to the doctor today; this was about my allergies, which have gotten much worse. She prescribed me a nose spray to help; she seems to be doing that.

John Sacchi has contacted me about filming a TV movie about my story that will inspire millions to advance to a higher level.
Here is about John >> https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sacchi-722b9661/

2/28—Today is my birthday!
On Facebook, I put a post with “When I’m 64”, the song by the Beatles.

Beth took me out to
https://el-sombrero-mexican-restaurant-grill.business.site/
where we meet up with friends, Nancy Baschnagel and Lee Haskins.
Lee and I have the same birthday today.

3/1—Right now, we are sitting in the back of our house on the deck I built, enjoying nature. The wilderness is right out our back door, which is nice. Hopefully, it is not too far from you, the benefits of witnessing nature, and much more.

3/2—Off to Lowes again to get stuff to finish projects. I had to buy some more compost, peat moss, and vermiculite. These are the essential ingredients to make healthy dirt. I also added some dirt from our land. Once I add this, our gardens will be ready to supply us with much to eat.

3/3—We are set up to collect rainwater. You must know, every time you flush your toilet it costs for water. Yesterday I picked up a small bucket. We keep the bucket, full of rainwater, next to the toilet. Every time we need to flush we pour the bucket of rainwater in. No more cost to flush the toilet!

To collect rainwater from our roof, I purchased a 50-gallon container for the back of the house and a 100 gallon for the front. I purchased these through >>
https://www.vingli.com/products/vingli-50-gallon-collapsible-rain-barrel
and, watch this >>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT-7zxVhuuU&ab_channel=Freshnss

I built stands about five feet tall to go under the rain-barrels. That way, the water collects up and gravity will bring water to hoses to water the plants—these stands I placed next to the down-spout. Then I cut the down-spout to just above the rain-barrel. I bought a four-foot flexible tube to bring the rainwater from the downspout to the barrel. Also, I have gutter screens over all the gutters. Now, every time it rains, the rain-barrel is replenished.

We use this for flushing the toilet, watering plants, and later, showering. Also, after running the rainwater through a filter, we can drink it—no more water costs. Being self-sufficient is a better way. Might you try it?

I hope my ideas have helped you in your life.

Is it time to “make” things happen and live a fuller life?
“Make” a great week for yourself.

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YOUR CHALLENGE FOR THE WEEK > >

Examine and decide where you will be placing your rainwater-collection system.

Do something new, daily, then keep doing it for the rest of your life.

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NEXT BLOG

It’s been a while, time for me to get back in the kitchen and produce some of my homemade salsa, some of my Japanese Salad Sauce, and, maybe, more of my chocolate chip cookies (my recipe.) I will include recipes; what will you make this week?
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THIS WEEK,
MAKE YOUR LIFE
SOMETHING
THAT YOU CAN
WRITE ABOUT!