EarthSkills

Earthskills, LLC. came into being slowly, shaped by the opportunities offered by people I have interacted with over a lifetime. Each one of them has cobbled a small piece of themselves into my experience. To them, I owe my gratitude — you know who you are. For me, learning self-reliance is a passion. I am a student, first, and in my daily life I practice what I learn. This endeavor is as important to me as understanding my need to consume three meals a day. Over the years this education has not only created a sense of care and closeness with the Earth, but has also helped me reduce the "time-gap" with our ancestors. Indeed, on every occasion I coax an ember from my bow drill, I think I journey through the ages and peer into the dark face of our primitive selves. Given the way we live our lives today, this is important — to me, at least. So, what is my definition of self-reliance? For me it is a practice that encompasses and develops the three major elements that make me human: the physical, the intellectual and the spiritual. It is as much about learning the intricacies of plant life as in opening my heart (and mind) to the energies that surround me. Moreover, self-reliance is an attitude: it’s about claiming my seat as an integral part of Nature. Survival is wanting to escape it. With the attitude and expertise gained through self reliance, one will survive, however. Why teach these skills to others? My wife, Robin, tells me there’s good karma in sharing knowledge that benefits others lives. Personally, it’s greatly satisfying to witness a student create fire for their very first time. A Prometheus is born! Admittedly, there is gratification in teaching how to give life to an element we coldly take for granted. But more importantly, I feel an obligation to lead others to understand what has helped me and hope their outcome is equally beneficial.