Down to Earth Hiking Club 🌎

The DTE Hiking Club is in full-blown fall mode.

Over the weekend, the squad traversed the coast of Beacon, New York, reveling in the crisp October air and taking in the bold fall foliage.

The area is bursting with natural life and American history. 

From housing endangered bird species to inspiring George Washington’s revolutionary motivations, Beacon is just the right place to explore.

We’re just now entering the prime season for hiking and outdoor adventuring. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of something awesome. New friends and experiences await!

Join us! Sign up to be an official member of the Club at this link.

You’ll receive updates, invitations and more communication about what we’re building upstate. See you there!

Will You Make Time for Love? ⏰

Have you ever been in love?

I have. It’s been a while, but I remember the wonders of being head over heels.

That feeling of reckless abandon sure is liberating, and it’s addictive.

In the years since then, however, so much has changed.

In my own life, sure, but it seems that views on love and relationships have rapidly changed worldwide.

I think many people fear commitment.

That’s because being close with someone means vulnerability. That’s scary.

Being committed to them takes effort. That’s… a lot of work.

If you look around, the morale of the human species reflects this notion.

It’s like there’s a universal *shrug* towards the difficult stuff in life.

Unfortunately for us, love and commitment is quite difficult.

Being constantly surrounded by instant gratification, we can always move on to the next best thing.

A constant barrage of dating options on apps and social media make love seem cumbersome, like reading a book.

That’s trouble for our pleasure-seeking brains, who would rather just watch a video.

I believe in your ability to love. How couldn’t I?

You’re an avid, patient reader who craves development and connection.

You know that nothing good comes easy.

And you know that great things take time.

I learned this after years of building relationships – ones of romantic love and friendship – and experiencing loss in both.

Loss is painful, but we know that powerful rewards await when you overcome challenging experiences.

I write about the ups and downs of love and loss below.

It’s an excerpt from my journal. I hope you appreciate the vulnerability.

One Million Little Embers 🔥

When we were in Love,

We did not have much else.

We clung dearly to Love and we shuddered in fear at a life without it.

The brand-new love was scalding and familiar; fire can pleasantly burn.

Hurdling down the Emotional Highway, the warning signs tumbled past the windshield.

Speed bumps. Doubts. DANGER: Storms ahead.

But Love is challenging, and it must grow, we thought.

Love is mature, and love is patient. Real Love.

These strong ideas run thin.

To have had love and to have lost it – that is one thing. And that one thing is tragic.

To build love so high, and to have it all fall down – suddenly – that is tragic.

But to have loved and to have it fade,

chipped away piece by piece,

to have it wither into bits,

one grain of sand at a time,

that can leave a question

Was it ever Love at all?