That Which Does Not Kill You Makes You Stronger

Breakfast:
Old Chatham Sheepherding Company Sheep's Milk Plain Yogurt with: A few raw almonds, a 'shake' of Go Raw Raw Chocolate "Granola", a 'shake' of bee pollen from Sedona, Healthforce Nutritionals Vitamineral Green, Fruits of the Earth and Vanilla Spice Maca superfood powders, 4 large strawberries, 1 teaspoon Dawes Hill Pure Raw Grade A Clover Honey and a splash of agave

Lunch:
1 chunk of Raw Goat Cheese
3 Kalamata olives
Salad with: Baby spinach leaves, purple cabbage, Monterey Farms Spicy ArtiHearts, 1/2 avocado, 1/4 red pepper, 1 carrot and some alfalfa sprouts
Dressing:
1 1/2 tablespoons tahini, splash of olive oil, fresh lemon juice and see salt; mixed and poured

Decadent Snack:
gohunza.com Raw Pecan Pie!

This is one color of the red rocks out in the Moab desert in Utah and in Sedona, Arizona.
This is another.
And yet some more.
Even when I post all my pictures from this monumental and life-affirming adventure, I will never capture the energy of standing under "Balanced Rock" in Arches National Park, Moab, Utah, or being in the side belly of the rock shared by ancient civilizations in Boynton Canyon in Sedona.
I had seen pictures and was awed enough to sign up for 'The Adventure Rabbi's' 'Passover in the Moab Desert'. For three or four years in a row, I had gotten an email with photos of the exquisitely large burnt red rock arches in this part of our land and of the participants hiking, camping and rejoicing by the banks of the Colorado River.
Finally, as my birthday present to me this year, I combined the Passover trip with a visit to my friend Julie in Sedona.
My seven day adventure consisted of alot of extraordinary hiking, about a thousand miles of driving solo and observance of the spiritual rituals of Passover, both high on the peak of a hike under Corona Arch, where we told the story of the Jews exodus from Egypt and through the dersert to liberation, as well as our ritual seder meal eaten spread out like Bedouins on the sand of our campsite next to the river.
I felt small compared to the enormity of civilizations and life forces before me and in front of me. I was awed by the energy and could picture the heart of life beginning under water with all of the juiciest minerals and plant life at one time beneath the sea. I felt my lifetimes and those way before me; I felt the presence of God holding me precious; I felt darkness and light both. I felt creation, evolution and the journey of every being who came before me.
I felt elated; I felt terrified at times.
Driving the thousand miles, much of which was from Sedona to Moab and back, culled up all the remaining buried dark spots in my body and psyche; all those still waiting to be excavated, released and transformed. To the left, right, front and back of me was land; land was all around and nothing else, save for a small house or shack and maybe a truck or two. Native American land splayed out for hundreds of miles without anything to break up its appearance; just two lanes of driving road. Driving myself sixty or seventy five miles and hour (the speed limit is higher there) made me question myself, my strength and perseverance and my trust and knowing.
I thought about what we'd stolen from the Native Americans; how I only saw these meger homes and no thriving life force. Then I thought about how everything I think is my own story and that really, I know nothing; only my personal perception. I was stripped down to the bone and risen up again.
How did the Jews or any race or tribe of people survive with only the land to reply upon?? The land has magical powers, and if we can get to the point of trust, it might welome us in and keep us safe. Trust is a deep word with many layers and old stories.
I stood with my group on a rock and asked to let go of any old and new fear which was keeping me from being who I am meant to be.
I stood by myself as a woman who made this journey as a testament to her life; to reaffirming my personal belief system; to knowing I can trust in myself.
And I am here to blog about it; moved to the core; shaken to my soul; but with my sweet soul singing its true song.
Oh, and by the way, I camped all raw and remembered how much I love that. While others were cooking their yummy meals, I had kelp noodles with spinach hummus, raw red Peruvain olives, raw goat cheese, almond pate, hemp seed butter with sprouted bread and of course, some raw maca chocolate.
I also got to eat at the infamous "Chocolate Tree" cafe in Sedona, and I have to say, it was everything and beyond in its quality of raw deliciousness. They were voted Best of Raw in chocolate, I believe; at least I think Jeffrey, one of their supreme raw chocolatiers was.
So, go where you have to go; do what you need to do; and trust in the truth of your process.
With Much Joy and Love to Each of You for a Significant Passover, Easter or Any Other Symbols of Your Choosing,
Hope & The Holistic Empire