I am starting a thing!

It is called….

Let me break this down for ya!

What is Fireweed?

When a wildfire burns a forest black, a few weeks or, sometimes, days later a bright purple wildflower starts growing and takes over the forest floor covering the burnt black of the forest. This wildflower has two main goals: First, to stabilize the broken and disarrayed ecosystem of the forest. Second, to create the conditions for the forest to regenerate itself. By virtue of being a flower, it draws other species of flora and fauna like taller plants, the birds and bees to start pollinating and regenerating the forest towards thrivability. This wildflower is fireweed.

Fireweed, being itself!

I am human fireweed. I am seeking the people who resonate with the work this metaphor evokes.

Why Expedition?

A teacher, Joan Ball recently told me a story about wayfinding and I would like to share  it with you to express why  this effort is an Expedition.

Joan said that one of the essential wilderness survival packing items is a string. The common wisdom ‘always carry string’ is shared among amateurs. And here is why. If people get lost, to survive, most likely, they will do some version of the following strategy.

First, make a pile of rocks at the point they realize they are lost. This pile marks a spot to orient themselves, and also helps them not to stray further from their intended route. They then tie one end of the string to a tree within eyeshot of the pile of stones and start exploring what food, water, and shelter resources are available in the vicinity to survive  . This exploration using the string is done in multiple directions with the pile of rocks as the center. The people repeat this process until they have explored what Joan called a ‘Locus of Possibility’. This wayfinding technique also builds evidence helping the rescue parties to be more successful.

It’s a grim time if you look at the clock of the world as the beautiful late Grace Lee Boggs asked us to do. These series of expeditions are an effort to make sense and see in the dark; find our way as humanity; and identify our ‘locus of possibility’ as Joan says. We have the ever-needed tools already: technology, wisdom, science (western, eastern, and indigenous), models, frameworks. Now is the  time to explore the fresh terrain of renewing the future with a focus on possibility-- not just problems. And through radical revolutionary creativity. 

This is why I am creating digital journeys called The Fireweed Expedition!

My hike to find rainbow mountain and myself in Peru.

Why a Museletter?

 1. I want to express my pertinent perceptions with creativity.  2. I want connection—not one-to-many but me-to-you --- direct connection and conversation.

What will you share?

Perspectives, perceptions, musings, stories, movie reviews, music, poetry, art, provocations, questions-- anything that is inspiring me and fueling my dogged belief that regeneration of the planet and humanity is not a matter of if-- it’s a matter of when. No news, only muse. Okay, I might share updates from cool projects whenever relevant, but this will stay true to being a museletter always.

How often?

These museletters will be as irregular as my monthly period. I mean that literally - every 21- 27 days one of these will drop like a beautiful red stain on your inbox. You can unsubscribe anytime, Koi gal nai (Punjabi phrase for no worries! :P #ibleed #beapussy

Who are the others?

A crew of friends, fellow dreamers, family of the heart and blood that I lovingly call the constellation. I will be weaving their enriching thoughts, creative art, and many awesome projects into this letter with love! Anyone with an open heart is welcome to contribute. Just holler!

But who are you?

The Chief of Journey for Fireweed Expeditions is Mansi Kakkar.

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