After nearly 30 years of service as an educator and speech pathologist working in public schools, I never imagined that I would be a part of a collective miracle. At a recent retirement dinner held in my honor, my daughter and I were privileged to hear my co-workers’ kind remarks regarding my career. They have quoted me as saying “they actually pay me to do something that I love to do”. Another colleague stated, “It’s not surprising that Janet spent her life as an educator. She loves teaching and learning at all levels; and it is no wonder that she is now spending time swimming with whales and dolphins on her trips to Mexico. I’m sure she will be teaching them to talk in no time.” And while I was enjoying the glow of past accomplishments and the comfort of familiar friends, I could also feel the earth shifting on its axis toward my next calling in life.
Having raised a family in a small Oregon coastal community, directly tied to the coastal ecosystems of surf, bay, and river species and their harvest for economic survival, I had witnessed first hand the devastating changes of over-fishing, logging and pollution from both local and outside forces. After years of teaching awareness of wetland ecology to elementary students I still was frustrated with the lack of ability to effect change. I wasn’t alone in this concern but with little collective problem solving being generated or funded, the norm became more a matter of compliance and cutting one’s losses rather than a proactive movement. But facing retirement with daughters on the cusp of moving into the world of independent challenges, I was motivated to make an example of my ability to retire with purpose.
What started out as a pact of courage and a quest for new freedom of spirit quickly became a passion and finally an extension of “willing into being” that helped to generate an energy beyond explanation. Stars began lining up; gifts were given and/or presented themselves in the form of people or places, as if on cue. And now I am privileged to be a part of a new collective energy involved in helping others in a way that is both compassionately simple yet profoundly unique in its design.
As one of the initial stooges in this journey, I am continually humbled by the response of others who have had the courage to rise to the situational challenges presented to them and in the process have come to recognize themselves as the true source of miracles; that can only happen when one opens their heart, uses whatever talents and resources they have available, problem-solve together and think outside the box without fear or reservation. And this sense of positive energy and self empowerment is sorely needed in order to stay the course. There were times when family and friends considered me crazy, no doubt. But the energy becomes infectious and compelling to the skeptic within us all.
It’s sometimes hard to recognize myself today and even harder to take any credit for what has morphed along the way. But I do remember the incredible power of the first inception and the love that I have encountered along the way.
It is my continued hope that this demonstrated revenue sharing model will be available to any community in need of generating and managing sustainable resources. We need to believe in a resource model based on the premise that there truly is enough for all to share; it is about a redistribution of abundance.
Janet Robertson, President Pax Terra
