IN LIGHT OF OUR 2 YEAR AK LIVING ANNIVERSARY

"Over the last two years, we have learned to depend on this great land, with its wondrous vistas and challenging terrain, to inspire us and remind us of what matters most to us."

on a recent hike to see Bear Glacier
(📷: Carolyn Orloff)

I believe that the micro ecosystems that surround us, whether they be city skyscrapers, suburban sprawl, pure wilderness, or something in between, play a critical role in shaping who we are and how we evolve as individuals, couples, communities, and as a species. I love these recent images of my husband and me, because they capture the essence of Alaska’s influence on us.

on a recent hike on the Caines Head Alpine Trail
(📷: Adam Bauer)

As the saying goes, “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward in the same direction.” Our lifestyle in Alaska encourages and challenges us to live up to that saying on a daily basis, both individually and as a couple. It is not always easy, and sometimes it takes a lot of hard work and time to find our way back to the same trail, so that we can continue to walk together in the same direction. Over the last two years, we have learned to depend on this great land, with its wondrous vistas and challenging terrain, to inspire us and remind us of what matters most to us.

My wish for all of us is to take the time to discover and deeply experience different environments, and then make conscious choices to surround ourselves with the ecosystem that puts us at ease and motivates us to act in the interest of our authentic selves. This in turn will benefit our loved ones, communities, and the planet. We're all connected in this one great macro ecosystem!

In joy,

~Tamara

WORKING TO LIVE

B enjoying the view of Resurrection Bay in Seward, AK.

We did it. We moved across the country to follow our bliss. A dream to live in a place where nature trumps development and wo/man's presence. We will live in Seward, Alaska for at least a year or through September 2017. After that, who knows. For now, we are happy to have made this possible for ourselves and our relationship.

We are fortunate enough to be able to keep our jobs on the East Coast, while living out here. I believe that this arrangement is the future of knowledge work or the knowledge economy; to be able to work from anywhere and thus, live anywhere. This is a shift from our industrial economy wherein one's job location decided one's home location and lifestyle. I already have a number of friends and colleagues who are embarking on this journey of working from where they want to live. Because in the global knowledge economy, all you need is an Internet connection and a computer to get your work done and earn a living.

And then, with a little bit of forethought, self-control, and luck, one should be able to save enough and invest in the right things, in order to eventually have the flexibility to become a consultant/free agent and truly take control of one's time and effort.

It's harrowing how our 21st century, "civilized" lives are set-up in structured phases. We get to play and frolic while young, then we get socialized by the school system. After that we enter college, where we get to explore a variety of interests and organize our time freely. Next, we enter the workforce, where we get even more socialized and out of touch with our natural cycles and range of abilities. And throughout this phase we yearn for the day when we get to retire and have the freedom to be intentional with our time and effort.

I understand that this structure is thought necessary for the calm and organized progression of the masses. However it is time to rethink this paradigm and move it in the direction of inclusive well-being for all life on earth, not just the government and the economy. With all the scientific and technological innovations that have taken place over the last two centuries, we are more knowledgeable and aware of what makes for a healthy lifestyle that is inclusive of the entire ecosystem.

My fiance and I have been working toward this lifestyle for almost 5 years now, or basically since the start of our relationship. It is an ongoing process for us, figuring out what our vision is, how to achieve it, and who and what to spend our time on. However, it's naive to think that we're the "judge and jury" in our lives. There is that entire "ecosystem" of people and places that affect who we are and what we do. That said, we are super excited to see how Sewardites and this magical environment affect our individual and combined outlook on and experience of what matters most in life.

Happy "working to live"!
~Modern Akhmatova