Hello Friends!
Before I get into this month's blog post, I wanted to announce that as of tomorrow, July 15, for two weeks, I will be running a sale on everything "T3." Be it the poster prints Sold on my site, Or maybe you want a custom print on wood, glass, canvas, or metal! The sale also includes all programming, both public and Private, as well as in-home preparedness evaluations! Contact me if you have any questions! Tom Elpel, author of “Botany in A Day,” just came and spent three days on our land during his 2-week Oregon Botany intensive. I had the honor of teaching the afternoons. His visit made me realize I need to step up my plant game! I will also be releasing a blog post about that experience very shortly. Now onto the story!
I encountered this wild horse on the way to meet a new student. As I was stalked up to get a little bit closer, we locked eyes, and I learned one of the most profound lessons I have had in a long time. I got home late yesterday and downloaded my memory card. I began to cry uncontrollably when I got to this photo and started editing it. Part of it was due to sheer beauty; the main reason was the lesson I learned.
I realized I had lost the once wild and free part of me. Every day I wake up and continue trying to assemble this puzzle and create two successful, sustainable businesses. Being an entrepreneur is tough, but lately, I miss the freedoms I once had, and I am desperately trying to find the T3 you all know and love. I don't know why everything has been such a struggle. I feel like I must've really ticked off some omnipotent being. I had always opposed appearing in the media until I met April Vokey, who invited me to be interviewed for her podcast called Anchored. At That moment, I had to choose whether I go through the usual chatter about why Nature is so fantastic or do I honestly, with all the gory details, tell my story to prove that Nature can heal us if we allow it. I chose to be an open book and will remain so. This was the main part of the lesson. I am who I am., and I shouldn’t have to hide parts of my life because they don’t fit other people’s opinions or narratives about who I am as a human. I am T3, a Professional Photographer and a Nature Educator. After all, I am living proof that a connection to Nature can heal anything. (I have yet to find the money tree. I will let you know when I do!”
Those who know my story know that I struggled with addiction decades ago, beginning with my connection to Nature severed when my parents divorced and I moved to suburbia at the start of 7th grade. By the time I was in my early 20s, I had become heavily addicted to Heroin. A good friend took me in, cleaned me up, and plugged me back into Nature.
After some years of wandering and practicing the skills I teach, I decided it was time to "follow" in my father's footprints. For the last few decades, my vision has been to lead people back to the Earth and help them heal modern life's damage. I know this for a fact because I experienced it firsthand. I have countless stories from students who have completely transformed into bright shining beings after decades of leading a dull existence, all due to spending time in Nature.
I suffer from chronic Lyme Disease, which I have had for 36 years, but it has only started to affect me in the last ten years. That, combined with the stressors of endlessly working to try and build FutureNature and T3Photography. Sometimes I realize it's 8 pm, and I haven't eaten anything yet because I get so wrapped up in my work, have caused me to lose weight. Certain folks out there think that the reason for my weight loss and business struggles I've been going through is that I am abusing drugs again. What hurts most is that nothing could be further from the truth.
I know what people say behind your back is none of your business, and I appreciate those who have reached out to me to see how I'm doing. Others just spread gossip on social media, which affects my business life.
If I was using it again, I can tell you that I wouldn't have the gear that allows me to take the photos and videos that I do, my website to have a space to share my thoughts and feelings with you, either through blog posts or videos on my Youtube, Or any of the other soul-destroying social media content I create almost daily. It took me a long time and much struggle to become the man I am today. A line from one of my favorite Avett brother’s songs sums it up. The title is “A Perfect Space,” and the lyric is “I want to have friends that I can trust, that love me for the man I have become, not the man that I was.” even though I am struggling, The only thing I take these days that aren't supplements is 3:1 CBD tincture at night, so my body isn't in as much pain when I wake up, from my Lymes.
Whenever I struggle with any decision or issue, I always try to take it to the woods and sit, seeking a light in the storm and clarifying my next steps. But my inner vision has been quiet lately. The only reason I can come up with is each time I enter the wilderness, no matter how much I try and "empty my cup" and listen for the voice from a place of the quiet mind, I get slammed by my worries. Am I going to have enough to pay my bills this month? What can I do better or differently to ease some financial burdens?
To top it all off, my best four-legged friend, Kora, about to turn 16, is nearing her end. Kora has been with me through the best and worst times, and I can't imagine life without her. More tears.
I know that when times are tough, you call upon the community, and If I could give you the whole story about how I ended up here, I would. Still, my word is my bond, and I always try and be a man of my word and live as openly and honestly as I can, and no comment or misinformation will keep me from doing so. When I started FutureNature, it was on a path to guaranteed success. My life would be much more stable. Im trying to let that part of my story behind me, but details still hold me back. I will say that it is one of the main reasons I find myself in my current conundrum.
My main reason for writing this is to seek help and guidance from the community I have been a part of since birth. I need some wisdom from my elders. I also need to seek investors that want to see a bright future for all beings and seek to heal the damage we have caused to our one and only home, Mother Earth. I have a few dedicated folks who have been helping me. You may have heard of my refer to them as my "Brain Trust." I am honored that these few humans have taken the time to help advise me on business human skills that I do not possess, and I am forever in their debt. They truly embody the "Way of The Caretaker" I have been discussing for the last year or so. Thank you, you will know who you are when you read this.
In Closing, I will ask a favor. Because I have been "shadow-banned" on specific social media channels for an unknown reason, and after over a year of emails, I still haven't gotten an answer. I pray for the day when I don't need to rely on these companies to spread my message; all my business will come through word-of-mouth. Until that day, simply liking and sharing my posts helped immensely, especially on Youtube.
If I could ask any favor, it would be to share my website with like-minded folks. Im moving more into the "Private, catered style classes" for individuals, families, and friend groups. I am also building out long-term online learning programs focusing on Nature Photography, Natural movement, Awareness, and Tracking, to name a few. If you are interested in coming here for a private class or me coming to you, reach out, and we will work out a deal. When it comes to my private classes, I have a pretty broad, sliding scale.
Thank you for reading my words; it means the world to me!
You can go here to help invest in the future FutureNature.
Not only do I need funds to keep a roof over my head and food in my skinny belly, but more than anything, I need a break to rest my body and my mind, but also to take a step back and rebuild in a manner that puts my health and well being first. After all, I can teach classes that live up to my expectations. I need time to recenter and break free of my current state. I need some time when I am not in a panic state and get to the point where I can collect the balances for classes I already have booked for the coming months. but I am always looking for help in the business world. Please get in touch with me if you have a skill set to help me grow my business!
Much Love, thanks, and praises,
T3