Last night I woke at 2 am...my usual time for sorting out the world's problems. Usually, it is a time when I struggle with relationship issues, but last night was different. I blogged. Had I been wiser, I would have got up and put my thoughts to paper and then let them go until morning. I didn't, and spent the next two hours thinking about why I blog, is my title appropriate and have I made any gains. So...for those who happen upon this site, the following may not interest you...or maybe you wrestle with some of the same issues I do at 2 am, and maybe it will.

When I was in my teens, I wrestled with questions that went unanswered... questions like "Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? What next?" Along came my children, and my mind was busied with raising them and dealing with their many questions. Alas, they are on their own now, and again, I ponder those same questions that haunted my teens. For the most part, I thought I knew who I was. I was a mom raising three children on my own. That was my purpose in life, I felt. With their absence from the nest, I have to ask myself, "What's next?"

Not too long ago I was asked why I blog. Well.. for one, I like to write and I now have time... The second reason ties in with the title of this blog. My life is cluttered, both internally and externally, and in order to find a new direction, I have to sort out and dispose of, and find a new way. I blog therefore to give voice to the thoughts that at times, disturb my sleep. I blog to experiment with a more mindful way of living. I blog to commune with people who are on the same new path. I blog to document my journey.

I read the news. I know about peak oil, water shortages, consumerism and air pollution. I know that by returning to those ways of our grandparents much of those problems will be alleviated. And so, I strive to do my best to walk lightly and be more conscious of my footprint.

What have I gained? I have met many wonderful like- minded people through blogging. I have slowed down...a little. I spend less and am disposing of more. I am mindful of what I eat, and the cost of putting what I eat on my plate. I am becoming more self reliant and I find I am returning to the simple life.

I was raised when things were less complicated, and more easily understood... a time when priorities were not difficult to recognize, and a time when people were more important than things. These are my roots and to this way of thinking and living, I journey.

So please understand when I don't seem to have a direction or a purpose in my blog. I AM heading in the right direction...