Life is a process. We are a process. The universe is a process.
– Anne Wilson Schaef

One of my favourite subjects at school was geography. I even managed to win a prize during my college years for my work in this subject, much to my surprise. One of my favourite topics we studied was the volcanic plateau – the volcanic region in the central North Island of New Zealand (the island which I happen to live on).

I love the volcanic landscape of this area. The colours are rich with earthy tones predominating. The land is alive and unpredictable – steam visibly rising from the ground, mud pools bubbling away, and I can’t forget the hot springs which make you feel like nothing else in the world matters but that moment as you relax in the euphoria the heat creates in your being. Some parts of the land looks barren and burnt while other parts look inviting.

It seems bizarre to think I am holidaying on a dormant volcano, or more correctly on a collapsed volcano (or caldera).  Then again the whole of our country is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire which includes not only volcanic activity but also earthquakes – a common occurence for us. As we walked around the water’s edge of Lake Taupo picking up pumice I was reminded of all this.

Even though anything can happen in this area (or anywhere for that matter) we continue to get on and live our lives. We don’t sit around worrying about what is going to happen next. We get on with the process of living and deal with issues and events as they arise. Everything in our life, and in the life of the world, is a process. Some of it is predictable. Some of it isn’t. All of it matters today. So let’s make today count. I know I did.

Manifesto
05. Every day is now. The present moment.
24. Every day is a journey. Not a destination.
26. Every day take action. Every small step counts.