Wednesday is staff change, and more importantly to students food drop.  It is amazing how simple life becomes out in the field.  It really is a different world to what most of us are use to.  I’m sure you students out there will remember the anticipation of which fruit would be delivered, the meat to fat ratio of salt pork, or that first taste of trail mix.  Medicine Wheel really is life in a more simple form.  As one of our recent graduates noted, everything a person needs to survive can be carried on their back.

When was the last time you got excited about having an orange instead of an apple? Or looked forward to a bag of granola and dried fruit?  When was the last time you cheered when you saw cauliflower?  Medicine Wheel…real life, just more simple.

Hey everyone I just got in from a couple of soggy days in the field.  Temps in the 40’s so we got a couple inches of rain on top of the slowly melting snow.  Needless to say, the field is a mucky mess.  Once we got to Outpost it took a couple hours to dry out ourselves and our equipment.  The rain did not dampen anyone’s spirit, and despite the rain and mud, students and parents alike had a great time at graduation. 

Every graduation makes me remember all of our former Medicine Wheel students.  We wonder where they are and what direction their lives have taken them.  We would love to hear from all of you.  Leave a comment here, or join us at Medicine Wheel Alumni on Facebook to interact with other grads.   

Last week I talked to a recent Medicine Wheel grad.  I’ve been thinking ever since about what it is that makes us whole and happy. He said he’s always loved being outdoors but he traded what brought him real pleasure for what he called “urban crap.” He said, “I was very image based.”

Since I’ve been working for RedCliff I’ve been learning for myself the difference between image vs. identity. All around my office are tokens of both. Journalism awards. Pictures of my family. A pinwheel I bought one day at the grocery store just for fun. And frayed quote from a card my mom gave me when I graduated from college.

The quote, from author Louisa May Alcott, reads: “Far away in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.”

Having a goal, a path, and someone to cheer me on helps make me whole and happy. To Medicine Wheel grads everywhere, thank you for sharing your struggle and your strength.