Stewardship and Sanctuary
(printable version)
by Derek

When I was six, I wanted to be an artist. I look back at that time now (my memory started just a year earlier) and wonder: what was I thinking? I mean, how could I know? How could I know that I would limit my chances of fulfilling my parents' "financially successful" expectations, and simultaneously liberate the childlike sense of freedom within to realize who I am? Well, I couldn't have. Here's my story...

My journey through the years has definitely not been an easy ride, thank goodness! I have learned that if there's a way to arrive "on time", I'll be late a few hours! Now, from the vantage point of Zuni Mountain Sanctuary, I can look at this process a lot healthier. The moment the Drill Instructor (USMC) started yelling at me and all sense of personal power was washed away, my sponsoring reasons of strength, leadership and communion with the "wilds" of nature (ha!) were vanquished. In New York City, on the 34th floor of a corporate bank on 5th Avenue, I had my little revolution of an idea: self-sustainability (having land, building a house, growing food, loving life). A couple of years at that before I realized something had to change for me to be balanced: my dreams, who I was as a person,, how I could be authentic and finance my dreams. In Boston, I addressed two of the three concerns, but how to finance? That's when Faerie Magic (!) happened in the form of Kasha, a Faerie from Short Mountain Sanctuary in Tennessee. Thank you, Kasha, for my life has been forever blessed!

In faith, the magick landed me finally at ZMS. In boot camp, I mean the Stewards-in-training program (SIT), I am rediscovering what it means to be whole again, to put all my varied pieces together. The freedom to create one's vision is true leadership (uniform optional). And combining my visions with other Faeries here is powerful, quite the revolution in consciousness. For me, the direct question is who do we/I choose to be. And since this is all about me (!), here's my response.

Stewardship. I know I can't physically own the air, earth, fire, or water any more than owning another person. Yet, within my power, I can choose to nurture life, care for it, be responsible to the ebb and flow. I can participate in abundance, not hoarding natural resources for greedy intentions. I can give and receive love in the same breadth, because it's all the same to me. And in all these ways, I empower myself to live in compassion, love, kindness, and with a sense of belonging. The decision to be a steward is my spiritual commitment to relate to the universe harmoniously.

Sanctuary. A spot on a map, a place in society, a protected environment in a myriad of stressful spots. ZMS is a unifying force where the larger paradigm chooses to alienate. A place where gay, lesbian, transgender, and breeder alike are invited to share and be in a peaceful setting. Sanctuary unites us socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. And, oh yes, don't forget to bring your drag!

So, I just turned 30 a few months ago and I'm pleased to express: I am that artist I always wanted to be. Thank you all!