Opening up a New Outlet

I have been invited to give a TEDx talk at George Washington University on October 1st. I knew that my name was in the running back in June, but the formal invitation did not come until September 1st.

Although I had to prepare an outline of sorts for what I would talk about in order to be considered, in the intervening months, I have shifted somewhat on some of those subjects. Furthermore, I got to thinking about how this might be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity for me to "spread ideas". The whole theme of TED.com and the smaller, local TEDx talks is centered around "Ideas Worth Spreading", afterall. So I had to really ask myself, given this very unique opportunity, what are the ideas I Most Want to Share with what could ultimately be a very large audience (with videos, etc. available through the internet).

Honestly, the ideas that came to mind didn't have a lot to do with my bike trip, or even learning survival skills. Instead, I wanted to go back to some ideas and issues that have always been most "meaningful" to me, things dealing with self-awareness, interpersonal relating, and being a truly mature and functional human being in the world more generally. And, truth is, I am going to be struggling to fit all of those ideas into an 18 minute talk!

At the same time, I don't really feel further discussion of those ideas belong in This Blog (although I may have been thinking about using it that way initially). No, This Blog has morphed into something else: It has become more of a travel log of an "outward" journey I am endeavoring to undertake. The other ideas I want to share relate more to my lifetime of "inner" journeying.

Consequently, I have decided to start a New Blog! This time The Blue MOON Turtle Blog. : ) "The Blue Moon Turtle" is based on another of my blue turtle creations - a stuffed toy I made for my best friend Eva's son Michael.

As it turns out, I have come to identify my yin-yang, world, Blue Turtle graphic with a more outgoing (and if you will) a more "masculine" expression of energy, whereas, my "Blue Moon Turtle" is more introspective and "feminine". (Truly having the lunar cycle incorporated into the design and with the turtle's 13 plates is an intentional, feminine association).

So...it all kind of makes sense. Furthermore, for those people who really just want to follow my story of my travels by bike they can do that, and don't have to get caught up in all of the metaphysical/philosophical/relational "stuff". At the same time, if you are more interested in the other, you can follow along there instead. Or, you can read both. Everyone is free to choose.

As for me, I'm feeling quite happy with my decision, and liberated, or, at least, there is another part of me that feels more liberated now. I am, a Pisces afterall, with Virgo as my ascendant, so there is quite a "split" there, even within myself. I'd say it is more my Virgo side that wants to take my Pisces side for the ride across the country, while my Pisces side has been feeling a little repressed. But, no more! Both sides of me will now have a venue in which to more fully express themselves, and I can feel a kind of internal dissonance being resolved in that, with harmony taking its place. : )

Yours in Peace...