Camp Life At Standing Rock
ServiceSpace
--Colleen Choi
2 minute read
Dec 4, 2016

 





Someone told me my first day at Standing Rock, "You'll be surprised at how your body adapts."

This is true. I've been at camp for almost 3 weeks now and I can't remember the last shower I had, or the last time I brushed my teeth, or washed my hands, or taken off my thermals. I forget the days, the hours, the seconds.

What I remember are the hearts. The deep heart connections you meet while waiting in line to eat, or standing around the fire, or charging your phone. I can't count how many times I meet someone and feel "I know you..." I remember how abundant I feel because of all of the generous donations of love that are supporting our camp. Almost everything I'm wearing now is because someone gifted it to me.

Everyone is giving and sharing because nothing is ours.

The land we are on is home, but it's not ours. The yurt I sleep in is home, but it's not mine. The car I occasionally drive isn't mine. The legal support. The herbalists. The builders. The painters. The fire keepers. The prayers.

Everything is for everyone, yet belongs to no one.

I've learned this in small pockets of the world. But to see it with 5,000 - 10,000 people -- a small city -- is heart opening.

Our world can be based on love and respect. Our world can be about inclusion instead of exclusion. Our world can run on heart-fuel. I have so much gratitude for the opportunity to be here right now. I thank the natives for showing us the way.

Coming from 85F weather in Los Angeles, wow the wind and the cold are real here! I heard winter will get up to -45F and 100 mph winds (knocks over semi's) and yet many are committed to staying through winter. Living in dirt, living with grief and PTSD that is growing with each day, yet still sharing gratitude and appreciation for all of the love and support.

A typical greeting is "Hello, thank you for being here. Thank you for protecting my children... Do you have hot chocolate?"

Imagine a world where we greet each other with gratitude. It is a practice and it starts with each of us in our own homes, with each person we meet.

(Photos above by Colleen Choi, below by Ikuko Bradley)



   

 

Posted by Colleen Choi on Dec 4, 2016


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