Fifteen years ago I was in a place of transition, a couple years from 60 and contemplating the next chapter of my life. My adult life had taken many twists and turns over the past 40 years, but had a coherent (to me) thread of continuity and purpose.
My transition to adulthood was in the late 60’s, identifying completely with the hippie movement and questioning everything about the conditioning I was fed in family, school, and culture.
In my 20’s I was influenced by the back to the land movement, became a carpenter, built a house in the country, and started a construction business with a focus on the beginnings of “green” building. I explored spirituality, was influenced by the teachings of Jesus, and was completely confused by an exploration in Christianity. I got married and had two daughters,
The next transition and chapter of my life began around 30. My marriage ended and my children became estranged. My spirituality turned to a focus on exploring the affect of my past and healing the damage. I remarried and struggled with blending a family, adding another daughter with mine.
Turning 40 was a major transition, an intentional embrace of a mid-life reboot. We moved to Virginia and spent several years studying at a Mennonite seminary. I participated on the leadership team of a small network of house churches, and started an exploration in intentional community.
In my mid 50s we took a break from community to regroup. We stepped back in retreat to question everything, and to again reorient our lives. We moved back to our home state of Wisconsin to focus on healing estrangement with my daughters.
So, getting close to 60, I was ready for another major transition into my third thirties. I wanted to put some of the pieces together and focus on combining the primary interests of my life – sustainability and green building, spirituality and personal growth, interpersonal relationships and community. We moved to Asheville, NC., bought land and started plans for a small development of green built homes with a community orientation.
I also planned a parallel track to write, teach, and coach in the areas that I experienced the most transformation personally and relationally. Developing a small neighborhood took much more energy than I imagined, and I only dabbled in a plan for implementing that aspect of my interests. The primary thing I did do was to take another deep dive into my own growth as I attempted community building among those who bought or rented in Echo Hills Cottages. I also continued to refine my thoughts around what I wanted to share about this most passionate aspect of my journey.
At 70, with three houses left to build, I took a year off to refocus my thoughts and energy for another transition and the next chapter of life. Four years later, as I wrap up the loose ends of developing Echo Hills Cottages, my vision for A CoCreative Path is taking root.