Wanderers, sometimes you need inspiration, so you should just google “daily inspiration”… so today you get “The Law of Karma: Every action generates a force of energy that returns to us in like kind. What we sow is what we reap. And when we choose actions that bring happiness and success to others, the fruit of our karma is happiness and success.”

So… What goes around comes back around? Do unto others as you would have done unto you? And if you want someone to help you clean up a disaster, help somebody else do the same? Okay… Okay… I may have made up that last one. As I read that quote all I kept hearing in my head was The Lion King theme song… but I found it ironic that I googled for something inspirational to share with you and this is what it gave me.

I may not agree in the Karmic ideology of reincarnation and such, but I definitely think that you get back what you sow. We choose our actions, our attitudes, and ultimately most everything in our life. Even if we choose to believe in karma, God, buddha, etc, etc, etc.

As a Wanderer you are meant to find your path, figure out what you believe, and determine the choices in your life. Step one to being a wanderer should probably have been: “You need to be ready to accept that the way things have been are not the fault of others.” You CAN choose your destiny, how you look at life, how you respond to life. It is not easy, I won’t lie and tell you it is, but it is freedom. I am full of cliches today… Freedom is never Free. It wasn’t for any soldier, sailor, airman, or marine, and it is not free to a wanderer. You will pay a price to find your freedom.

Part of my price right now is not drinking. As everyone went to the beer tent after a long day of clearing out flood damaged houses they just wanted a beer to relax. I really wanted to join them. I thought about it. I thought about how I made this pledge to myself and I could undo this pledge at a moments notice. It wasn’t anyone elses decision to make. It is MY choice. I didn’t open a beer, I joined them for some quick conversation and then I moved on to my shower and share this with you. I will tell you that I my eyes are a little moist at the moment… not from sorrow… but from knowing that I am making choices which are taking care of ME!

I made the pact with myself at new years to spend this year finding me, loving me, caring for me. It was a high price to pay from “normalcy”. One I constantly struggle with. I stopped dating, I started eating healthier, and made a decent attempt to work out more. I stuck with not dating, and am still working on being more consistent with the others. I did this because I have been through crap with relationships. I know it was never a one sided scenario, but I did not like what I was becoming because of my actions or theirs. It’s hard though, seeing couple together, and knowing I am a solo at the moment. An additional perk to TR is all of these amazing men I get to work with, who are truly something special. They really are upstanding gentlemen, despite the sideways humor.

I have met many more great men and women after two days on this operation and I am not leaving until next week. I will have plenty of stories to tell about the field, but for today I think I have shared my fill.

Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as this storm rolls through Texas. All the crews are kicking butt, especially mine. I am extremely blessed to be working with this community and Team Rubicon. There is no place I would rather be. I  love my life.

Signing off from Operation Double Trouble, Wimberley, TX.