We're not broken just bent and we can learn to love again

I've just cut my hair under the dim light of a full moon in a cloudy sky, the night wind blowing the ends through the grass. It was another amazingly hot day in Euroa, nearly 40 degrees, and it's wonderfully warm out now. A perfect summertime evening. After dinner with Natalie's parents she and I went for a walk around the farm with her puppy Jazzy. We walked home into a beautiful country sunset and as we turned the corner back to the house I stopped in my tracks seeing the red-orange moon rising over the trees. We contemplated in awe how incredibly small we are as a planet in the vastness of the universe that the sun (which had only just dropped from our view) would be shining under us in order to light up the moon. Ahh! I just saw the most incredible comet blaze through the sky! There is also an exciting lightening storm happening off in the distance. It's really a gorgeous night. I feel like I could sleep out here but I know I'd get eaten alive by mossies. For now I'm happy enjoying the quiet of the crickets and cicadas and watching the dark clouds pass, perfectly framing the moon, for my sake I'm sure.

Today I had a wonderful time with Natalie's mom Deborah up on Mt. Buller. (Boolah- is how you pronounce it Aussie; Nat and Deb have the strongest Aussie accents I've encountered. When Jennifer and I initially met them at Uluru, we had a really funny experience where I sent Deborah for Jennifer but when she rushed into the room explaining herself Jennifer just stared at her, "huh?" Jennifer said she knew Deb was speaking English but just could not make out the words! The Australian accent is curious like that. Apparently it's even more strange in New Zealand!) The Macedon mountain ranges, which are just a couple hours north of Melbourne, are also called the Snowy Mountains and are a popular ski spot in winter (June and July "winter"). Today, at the end of November, they were lush and green and it was amazingly cooler at the summit than down in the valley. We dipped ourselves in the creek and enjoyed our escape into nature. It was wonderful to see the peak of a ski resort, much like Mt. Ashland, and to have an entirely different type of landscape spread out before me. Gum trees, eucalypts, paper trees (?) ferns and bush scrub all painting greens and greys along the cliff side. I had my head out the window like a pup enjoying the fresh, clean, forest air, the sunshine and the breeze. I was enamored with the colors and beauty and freshness of life! It's amazing how refreshing and uplifting nature really is. With my feet enjoying the tumbling waters of the river I realized I'm truly a mountains girl. I love the ocean and I love the vast countryside but my home is with the forests and streams.

That moment was just one of several today when I saw reflections of myself.. in the future. It was confirmation of who I am and who I aspire to be. A mother, a bicyclist, a colorful and creative being, a lover of nature... We really are so much encompassed in the beautiful form of the human body. And capable of amazing things if we tap into our resources and allow the expansion to brighten the world! I don't know that tall poppy syndrome is unique to Australia but shared with anyone who wasn't nurtured towards the confidence to embrace their gifts to the fullest potential because of judgments too quickly placed by our societies. But we can learn to trust each other, to support one another and to grow together towards peace and love. Somehow, I believe we can heal from these ways.

This week has given me a chance to catch up with some things I was procrastinating, as well as tune into myself in a deeper way. I got a chance to metaphorically clean the lenses of my glasses and reassess my journey. Travel is amazing in providing unique experiences and the chance to meet wonderful people, and is also very "full on." Being in new places means navigating new streets and meeting new people means major energy output to connect as well as input from the vast diversity that every new person has to offer. I find people fascinating and have made some lovely friends through my travels who I would have NEVER encountered from my living room or past daily routines at home. It's wonderful to hear new perspectives, learn about life through other's knowledge and experience the diversity of human culture. Sometimes this also gives me a chance to practice compassion when I encounter someone I completely disagree with. I am reminded that somehow in their mind they are right and whether (in my opinion) it's from a lack of knowledge or resources or simply different understandings, I can give myself the opportunity to better understand another perspective. (Or I can fight it, where no one wins and everyone is resentful- this does not make for enjoyable relationships.) It's been an amazing journey of my Self as I learn about relationships daily and cultivate friendships all over the map!

I was feeling that it would have been better if my Australia trip had more of a purpose. It seems that so much of the appeal of travel is about instant gratification, thrill and indulgence with not much gained but a "really cool experience!" I never felt like the typical tourist during my travels and generally found myself disinterested in these types of thrills. I'm realizing this trip is about realizing who "Hannah" is and what I am capable of. By broadening my horizons I am gaining understanding, compassion and acceptance for the ways of humanity in order to approach my own purpose with a sense of clarity and gentle confidence. The teacher in me can always use more opportunities to practice patience and appreciation for other perspectives. I'm beginning to understand how I am meant to use my talents to provide opportunities for change in this world. I am realizing the power of community, humility and gratitude. I am striving to embody the meaning of Grace.

If I survive the heat and bugs of the next eight hours, tomorrow I'm heading back to the city. I'm looking forward to meeting up with some friends and visiting Melbourne with a new itinerary. My exit will be about the same as it was in April though, with a 3am shuttle bus to the airport! I'm excited for my trip to Tasmania and feel so grateful to have new friends awaiting me when I arrive! Australians are beautiful people.
(I've moved my bed to the back of Nat's ute. I hope the breeze can keep the bugs away, it was way too stuffy inside! My only fear now is being stabbed by a falling leaf! Or perhaps being rained on. We'll just have to wait and see.) Goodnight moon.
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That was about the worst sleep ever! Hot, itchy, stuffy, unsettled! I guess I'll be sleeping really well tonight! For now it's time to pack then enjoy some rice and "bok" (choy- they shorten everything here!!!)