Me and my trusty car (The Red Rocket) have traveled more than 80K miles and 26 states together.
I wonder, as I write this, if anyone reads blogs anymore. There are so many places on the internet where people go now that blogs seem almost ancient. But it is my hope that there are still people who share my love for words and reading. In that spirit, it is my intention to do more writing here and share glimpses of my work and daily life as a nomad writer. 🙂
A lot has changed over the past few months as I’ve been in my home state of Kentucky taking care of my sweet mother. She has faced a few health challenges so I pressed pause on the nomad thing for a bit. The time has been challenging in a number of ways, but the changes that have been happening within me are helping me gain clarity on my way forward.
In some ways I feel like a different person, yet in other ways I feel like I’ve come full circle and have re-aligned with some core dreams that surfaced during my 18 month life reboot back in 2018/early 2019.
First Campsite. 2019 in Tennessee
If you’re new here, you might be unaware that I spent the entire year of 2018, and the first six months of 2019, rebuilding my life from the ground up. You can get the gist of what happened and how I started over (after hitting rock bottom) by checking out THIS POST. During those 18 months of inner work and solitude, I got down to the core of how I desired to live my life, and what I wanted my life’s work to be. It was beautiful, uncomplicated, and filled me with an incredible amount of joy and peace. It was June 2019 when I closed that particular chapter and started another when I hit the road as a homeless-by-choice nomad. I had no idea what the future would hold or what I would see and experience as I joined the nomad ranks, but as I was driving the down the highway and away from my home state of Kentucky, I knew my life would be irreversibly changed. All I had was my love of writing, some camping gear, and a heart filled with big dreams.
Recently, I was going through a collection of old notes (I have SO many) that I made back in 2018. Reading through them transported me back to that time and the intense feelings I experienced in those days came flooding back. I’m not exaggerating when I say I completely rebuilt myself during that time. I was able to uncover the things that meant the most to me in this life, things that I wanted to involve myself in and spend the rest of my life doing. Writing, music, connecting deeply with others, and holding gatherings of people around the country (world?) and explore our creativity as we find ways to work in harmony toward a better world. I know how “lofty” that sounds, but I’m telling you I am 100% serious and committed to that work. I have a deep desire to help others get into writing and tell their stories. I want to help others ignite their dreams, whatever they may be.
The High Plains of the Texas Panhandle
Reading through my notes from five years ago showed me how I’ve been engaged in that work over the last four years, all while living nomadically. It felt good to know I’ve remained true to myself all this time, but it also opened my eyes to ways I’ve overcomplicated things. Funny how the human mind doesn’t seem to like simple and finds ways to make stuff complex. I’ve never been one to dwell too long on what I could’ve or should’ve done. Instead, I look to what I can do right now and redirect my energy in the direction I desire to move. So, that’s what I’m doing these days. I’ve looked at everything I’ve been working on and where my energy (focus) has been going, and I’m making some adjustments. Just a little course correction. I don’t know if anyone looking on from the outside will notice or feel the shift, but I hope so. So stay tuned! I hope to be bringing you lots of cool things to see and read. I’m so grateful you’re here.
The dream path is often a wild and unruly journey, but amazing at the same time. As tough and dark as life can be, I still believe there’s more than enough peace and beauty to make it all worth it. Things can get uncomfortable at times, but I believe that’s normal. I think when you’re working toward a dream that you have to be willing to be uncomfortable sometimes.
The Magic of Dawn
Have you noticed how things shift after going through a period of intense personal growth? The way you think and feel transforms and it’s as though you’re viewing life through different eyes. When you’ve been through the fires of inner change, you won’t be the same person you were before. You may be in the same geographical location, have the same occupation, and be surrounded by the same people, but you’ll be different. That’s how I’m feeling as I write this post. It’s like I’ve emerged from the chrysalis and am ready to spread my wings.
I’ve been walking the inward-facing path for years now, but every day I still feel like a child seeing the world for the first time. The morning sun igniting clouds in shades of fire, birds welcoming dawn with their songs, the soft silence of the desert, a child laughing in pure delight and innocence—all these things and a hundred more bring me to the verge of tears.
There’s no sadness, only an overwhelming sense of aliveness. It feels like a dream, but I’ve never been more awake in my life. I just want to give something beautiful to this world, something that lasts, transcends barriers, and reaches the soul.
Thank you for being here.
Love,
Keith