Poem by KAL- The Other Side

The Other Side

by KAL

As I pushed through the briars, bramble, and thorns of a deeply neglected pathway into the dark forest, the only thoughts dancing in my mind were visions of the promises that getting to the other side of this were to me — to exist.

Were they true? Was it merely folklore? Would the journey steal the time I had left, so that once I arrived I’d be too broken, bruised, and battered to bask in the sunshine — if indeed it existed outside of fairytales at all?

Fighting back even more dirty, dingy moss, muck, and mire, I carried on. I don’t know why exactly. Part of me needed to believe something more existed. Another part had no faith at all. Perhaps the most willful part of me — the me physically pushing through and thinking all these thoughts — knew I’d find the promises, or at least be a grand warrior for the wear. With a smile, I pushed forward, stronger and more determined with each branch, each fallen tree to move aside, each painful step.

What I could not have envisioned was the reality of both being true. Once the forest broke into the magnanimous meadows of sunshine, dragonflies, and dandelion dust, I’d be both basking in the sunshine of promises and a warrior. Stronger, wiser, and able to bask in the sunshine of promises until the end of my days.

When those days will draw to an end, I cannot know. But I’ll be here sharing what I’ve learned, leaving behind all I can. For no adventure — even if mostly dark — is only for the one who’s traveled it, but for those with ears to hear and souls to keep.

The secrets and wisdoms of the Warrior.

Truly forged of fire, yet a diamond in the forehead of Taurus.

Still Becoming?

This Spring’s Spiral Archive has been circling around one question for me: am I still becoming? It’s a quiet, honest reflection from where I stand now — in the lull period, the sorting period, the “who am I underneath everything I’ve been for others” period. I’m sharing it because I think many of us move through this same space, even if we don’t always talk about it.

When I look back over the year, I find myself wondering: at 58, am I still becoming? Or have I arrived somewhere — not coasting, not drifting, but simply being in the place I’ve worked so hard to reach?

I can’t speak for my future self, but right now, I can honestly say: yes, I am still becoming.

I really do think life is about “still becoming,” because what that phrase is truly saying to me is “still growing.” And in that sense, I don’t believe we ever stop. The goals just change.

When we’re younger, we’re becoming who we are — building careers, raising children, coping with what needs coping with, addressing what needs addressing so we can be the wholest versions of ourselves possible.

Later, we’re becoming the most stable we can be, especially financially, and getting our young ones off to the best start we can give them. It’s still becoming, but it’s becoming for others.

Then comes what I call the lull period. Everyone is grown. The routines are set. The finances are what they are. And suddenly there’s this space — this quiet — where we’re not quite sure what to do next.

We coast a little. We sort things out. We try to figure out who we are underneath all the daily commotion of the younger years.

And in that sorting, we begin to “become” again — but this time, for the next stage of our own life.

This is where I am now. And as I’ve worked through it, I can see the depth I’ll continue to nurture moving forward. What used to terrify me — the idea of the future, the unknown, the quiet — now feels almost exciting. I’m beginning to enjoy the idea of simply being me.

Will I still be becoming? I think I will. I think I always will.

Because with all my heart, I believe our becoming doesn’t end when our physical bodies no longer contain us. I think it moves into something else and continues on. That thought has given me great solace and joy.

I wanted to share my Spiral Archive for this Spring because I think this is something many of us experience in one form or another, but rarely speak about. And maybe if we speak on it more, fewer people will feel stuck in the sorting stage — and more will feel free to embrace the becoming and continue on their wonderful journey called life.

May Reflection - Pause and Ponder

With May finally here, and after making it through the long, low winter months, I’ve been feeling rejuvenated to say the least. I don’t know if it’s the return of the sun, the energy in the air as the trees and flowers bloom, or the wildlife singing and moving about once more—but something about this season has stirred a deeper appreciation in me. It’s inspired a renewed excitement for this site and everything I create here. Dare I say, the creative juices are flowing, and with autumn inching closer each day, I can hardly contain myself.

It’s actually a challenge to stay focused on spring and summer when the season I love most is just around the corner. But I won’t get carried away with my love of autumn now, out of fear, I’ll start the season far too early here. Instead, I’m looking forward to ramping up the site and all I share. Creating a community of people who enjoy the same things I do has been a dream of mine for a very long time.

It’s easy to get pulled into communities that are wonderful, yet don’t quite align with your philosophies or values. Over the last two decades, many of us have been searching for ways to keep the traditions and simple joys we love alive in the modern day, while gently evolving beyond the things that no longer serve us. That balance keeps everything feeling new, fresh, and inspiring. It prevents us from recycling ideas until they lose their meaning or their connection to their roots. And roots, if we’re not careful, can sometimes rot under the weight of “overdoing it.”

Here, I’m trying to keep those roots alive while polishing and decluttering the parts that no longer reflect who we’re becoming. For me, that path is found in slow, meaningful, mindful, creative, peaceful living. I hope to find others who enjoy these simple pleasures in ways that fill them up and lighten their load. Even if we can’t fully live out everything we dream of, it’s still worthwhile to pause, ponder, wonder, dream—and take small steps toward bringing that love and lightness into our everyday world.

I’m far from where I hope to be. And at almost sixty now, that’s saying something. But the love I have for this way of living, and the determination to keep moving forward through obstacles and trials, makes me appreciate even more what I’ve achieved—and what I will one day have. Because for me, life isn’t about finally arriving at the dream. It’s about the journey toward it. And I imagine that once I do arrive, the peace, contentment, and deep appreciation will be all the richer for the effort it took to get there.

That’s what all of this is for me: a way to bring a world to life—one that isn’t fully realized in my physical life just yet. And if everything here simply satisfies your inner PumpkinSpice Hearthcrafter, that’s perfectly fine. This is a slow‑brewing journey, and when it’s finally ready, it will be a life well‑lived and fully experienced. We cherish what we long for and work toward far more than anything handed to us without love or effort.