Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Logistics.

So, I've been asked by a few people to actually explain what my job is. I guess I overlooked that little detail.

The name Anasazi came from an old Indian tribe that used to live here in Arizona. 20 years ago that named was placed with the organization I now work with.

The purpose of the Anasazi program is to "turn hearts homeward". My job is to create an environment where an individual can better come to know himself, his Creator, and become one with his family. The program both works with child and parent, creating a give and take relationship where both are involved.

These kids come out to the office (sometimes willingly, sometimes after having woken up with two policemen at their bed with tazers out), and get to know everyone. We feed them pizza, give them all their gear, and teach them how to pack it up so they can carry it ("it" weighing about 50 lbs) for about 20 miles a week (over mountains, through creeks, bush waking, over cliffs, off cliffs, etc. etc.).

They then head out to the "trail" (there actually is no "trail") and let nature take care of them. They are there for at least 6 weeks and typically 7-8. During this time we (as trail walkers) do our best to insure that the environment is clear so it can be just them and nature. We present challenges and questions that help them ponder and search for answers. They learn the importance of coming together and working as one (when there is a rain storm that is not something hard to do) and we help them relate the experience to things that go on at home.

While they are out there they learn little principles like "The making of an Asking" which is the importance of realizing you need others and your humility to ask them for what they have, "The making of a trusting" being willing to trust and allow others to begin again, "new beginnings" allowing yourself to constantly move forward and let go of mistakes of the past, "blanket steppings" the actual process of removing physical or spiritual things from your life that are inhibiting, or adding more things into it, etc. They learn how to make fire out of sticks, they learn about edible plants, plants that heal sicknesses, the way of animals, the way of the sun, rocks, wind, an then they learn how everything works together in a state of "we".

As a Trail Walker I am out there every other week with whatever group I am assigned to (boys, girls, 18+), and all are very different. It always changes depending on individual needs of the Young walkers (which are the students going through the program) and my own person struggles and experiences I am going through at the time. Just as the young walkers are going through the program, so am I. I get to go out there, get angry at all the cactus', and then realize that if I would just calm down I wouldn't get stabbed so often. I get to think and learn and share my own experiences with others and help them to have their own.

It's so sweet. Everyone should work here. And also everyone should send their kids here.
It's neat getting to know the culture here and learning the true principles that are taught within the program. There are a lot.

So, there are the logistics of the program. I'm heading back out to the trail in the morning so I'll have some more stories when I make it back in a week!

6 comments:

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  2. logistics. brittany, i think you've been watching too many UPS commercials. Miss you, love you! P.S. yew still aint faalowin me on muh blowg

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  3. Wow Brittany I never saw this side in you. Trail walking is tough work a friend of mine did it for several years and the stories she tells me....

    It is as much a character building experience for yourself as it is for the kids! Best of luck in your efforts to change the lives of these kids around!

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  4. seriously? you're gone already? why is it so hard to reach each other lately???? glad you're enjoying the experience, miss you!!!!

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  5. Sounds like an awesome job. By the way, this color of font is hard to read over the blog background...

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  6. I'm still super jealous. Hopefully this blog gets updated every time you are home.

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