The Gifts of being Homeless

 “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ...”  Matthew 6:25-34

It is easy to be grateful for the human-angels, miracles, delightful surprises (“Happy Birthday!”) and JOYS in life. Therefore, I challenge you to find and feel GRATITUDE for the unique challenges you are currently facing--whether they be divorce, dis-ease, death of a loved one, foreclosure, poverty, un-safe environment, etc. I have a theory that finding gratitude in every aspect of our lives, especially the “uncomfortable” parts, is the key to tangible healing, wisdom and compassion. **Just a theory ;)  Therefore, I have started looking at my own unique “challenges” and identifying the hidden gifts. 

For a year now, I have been living as a “conscious nomad”; however, most people would refer to me as “home-less.”  It is true!  I do not have a home of my own!  How this came about was 1/3 a conscious decision; 1/3 scientific experiment on self (*testing MY TRUST in a loving, abundant Universe); and 1/3 due to economic forces (out of my control).  In other words, living homeless has been a very 3D exercise in my ability to gracefully let go and allow (*and just know, some days are better than others!)

I am not going to lie to you, this whole experience has been very challenging (physically, emotionally, spiritually and intellectually), VERY humbling, sometimes stressful (*imagine asking yourself, “So where am I going to sleep TONIGHT?!”) and has constantly tested my “faith”, my patience and my self-worth.

However, I CHOOSE to see the GIFTS of being home-less:

1.     Being homeless FORCES you to “live in the now” and reminds you DAILY what TRUST really means—it means not knowing where you will eat, bathe and sleep any given night and trusting the Universe (working through other people and circumstances) will provide and your needs will be met.   *In my experience, I have been overwhelmingly BLESSED!  *For proof, just visit my Facebook page and look at all my photos over the past year! https://www.facebook.com/kellyofthepattersons

2.     Being homeless makes you vulnerable, makes you humble, forces you to ask for help—all which can serve to break down protective barriers to your heart AND diminish EGO.

3.     Being homeless is a constant daily practice of GRATITUDE for every bed (or couch, air-mattress, yoga mat, etc.), every meal, every shower (*and especially bubble baths!), every warm-cozy place, every “little” luxury—from juicing to “movie night” at home; from turning a living room into a roller-rink to doing your laundry.

4.     Being homeless shows you the true value of friendship and turns strangers into friends.  Nearly half the places I have stayed over the past year were with strangers, who are now beloved friends and SOUL FAMILY.   *I cannot say THANK YOU enough, but I will try!  ;)

5.     Being homeless changes your values and priorities, you let go of the superficial (like gossip, petty disagreements and discomforts like traffic and noisy neighbors, etc.), allowing yourself to deeply connect with yourself and others.

6.     Being homeless shows you what TRUE GENEROSITY looks like.  It is LOVE-based SHARING without the expectation (or demand) of something in return. 

7.     Being homeless gives you a unique brand of freedom—which has allowed me to travel all over the continental United States over the past year (*and have a damn good time while doing it!)

8.     Being homeless has given me the opportunity to break the stereotype-du-jour of “The Homeless” in general.  So whenever I catch someone speaking negatively about “The Homeless”, I chirp, “Well, I am homeless too!”  

9.     Of course, being homeless also means I have no bills: no mortgage, no utilities, no insurance, no taxes, no water-heaters to fix, etc. 

10. Being homeless has no doubt been a multi-level enriching experience for me and I am eternally grateful to all the people who “showed up”, especially over the past year, and have been part of my experience. Thank you for your true generosity, love and compassion.  You have all reminded me that LOVE is limitless...

All THAT appreciation said, my new intention for myself is to create my own warm-cozy home which will serve as a LightHouse—a sanctuary for myself and others-- *and preferably near a warm ocean!

Live your bliss,

Kelly N Patterson (aka, The Goofy Guru)