As things go, I live a contented life. Calling home, for the last four years, the lower southwestern portion of Missouri. Far beyond the prying eyes of city life, far beyond the borders of suburbia, even further than what most would consider the “country.” It’s a slice of rural paradise where our land is wrapped around on three sides by the Mark Twain National Forest. Where I’m more likely to see coyotes, fox, cows, hawks, Bald eagles, and the occasional Black bear, more than I would see a person, people, humanity. And I like that.
A recent picture I snapped of a young Bald Eagle.
A view of the northeast from our land.
Here, mighty oaks, maples and walnuts whisper nature secrets to each other through rustling leaves. And if you listen… you just might learn something. We grow and can our own veggies and meat. My wife and I have a little homestead full of life, and dogs, and a connection to the land that's hard to find in today's fast-paced, consumer world.
A typical morning sunrise, from our front door.
Marley, the contmeplating Poodle.
We've had the joy of raising pups. (Mom and dad bringing up the rear.)
It hasn’t always been easy. The road to this point has been fraught with peril. Surviving combat, Marine Corps life. Being diagnosed with PTSD in 2012, and navigating a marriage through it all; psychiatric hospitals, soul-sucking darkness, suicides and the loss of friends--way too early, and the recent years spent adjusting to post-Marine Corps life.
Me in Afghanistan, 2011.
But I’ve begun to settle in, to listen to nature around me. Feeling my own roots grasping, anchoring into the soil. I’m a firm believer in nature as healing. That nature can teach us all humility, kindness, patience, and love. I believe in the power of psychedelics, especially psilocybin mushrooms, to not only expand your mind, but to heal from mental trauma. I know, because it’s healing me. And I believe in the power of love, for if it wasn’t for the strength of my wife, whose stayed at my side through the darkest of times, I don’t know where I’d be. Yes, I live a contented life. I am happy.
Every year, our garden comes to life. The beauty, the serenity of nature.
As to why I’m on Steemit? How I came across the site?
I’m simply hoping to connect with like-minded individuals, share my knowledge and experiences, write a whole lot because that’s what I love to do, (along with staying in shape). I was turned onto this site by @mountainjewel, and her hubby; awesome, fellow homesteaders! Hopefully, I can contribute to this ever-growing community. And it all starts with this!
You can check out my personal blog, and some of the stuff I've already written, here at http://matthewghayes.com/
Or, find me on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/matthew.hayes.319247
Welcome to the community! I hope it serves your intent well. Thank you for the open and honest introduction. I look forward to further posts from you.
I'm here with the same purpose! I'm pretty hopeful that this platform or something like it can help break the world away from thoughtlessness. Good luck to us!
Yes, the bland click-bait content. I think people are seeking meaningful dialogue, meaningful happenings around the world that puts a bit of good into the airwaves.
Welcome to Steem @therightsideofup. Feel free to follow me @kanasite and upvote. Cheers :). Also check out my latest post about blockchain https://steemit.com/steem/@kanasite/bitcoin-prices-plunged-will-it-rebound
Thank you, will do!
Welcome to Steemit @therightsideup.
I joined today also! Check out my intro post as well @theblockchang if you have time!
I'll be commenting on Blockchain, Cryptocurrency, AI, Startups and sparking debates in the comment section!
Excellent! I have so much to learn about this environment and cryptocurrency!
Great pictures! Welcome to Steemit :) I just posted my introduction as well. Feel free to check it out!
Thank you, and I most definitely will.
Welcome to the community
So glad to have you here. Your writing here was so refreshing and inspiring. I really look forward to seeing your future posts.
I also seek to...
"reach the hearts of people with a positive gesture"
That's always my focus with every post. It seems to work well as people on here want the real stuff!
I'm wishing you the best and want to affirm what you said. Just start! Write write write!
I'd love to hear your thoughts about my recent posthttps://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@biggiedip/when-life-gives-you-lemon-you-turn-it-to-lemonad-a-true-life-story
Greatpost,,, welcome to steemit,, enjoy your stay
Welcome to steemit @therightsideofup. I'm new here too. Here is some steem and a follow. Hope you'll follow me back at @davidblackwell. The pictures are great!
Thank you! I'm still learning the lingo and workings, I'll be sure to pay it forward.
Welcome to Steemit, you have been followed!
Hey rightside! Happy to have another talented mind among the community! Your pictures have me considering visit Missouri very soon; homesteading in that area must be a dream. I was born and raised in suburbs and it wasn't until I got down into the Blue Ridge Mountains in NC that I knew I needed nature back in my life, like when I was a child. I have becoming a hiking machine since then and while I temporarily moved back to a city for an awesome roommate, I have not slowed and plan on creating my little corner of wilderness as soon as I can.
I sure am glad I stumbled upon your comment on another post, I am catching you at the beginning of your steemit journey! I am as well, still parsing out a direction for my owns posts, as I have many different interests.
One in particular that I shared with you was the potential psychedelics have for our veterans as well as other folks dealing with past traumas or other mental pathologies. Humankind particularly neglects mental health, among physical too often, to chase the shiny stuff and compare to "the stars" and then wonder why life seems empty. Psychedelic experiences, while a very serious endeavor due to the structural changes in the brain, would no doubt help so many people when fear of serious consequences like loss of children, property, and freedom is no longer a barrier.
I am following so I can see your content when you share, looking forward to more!
Thank you and well met! My wife is actually from around that area, Franklin, NC. I also lived most of my life in the city, until it was time to exit the Marine Corps. After that experience, I knew I needed more. Missouri has been interesting, an accident that we ended up here, really. But it's amazing and beautiful. We have a really great community of like-minded folks, homesteaders and others with open minds. I am a firm believer in the use of psychedelics. And I agree with your take. Everything we humans have ever wanted is right in front of us. We just have to look, but with modern living, that isn't always encouraged, life moves too fast for enjoyment. Like the holidays. There's such a rush, then it happens, then it's forgotten, on to the next thing. I'm glad you found me. I am about to post an article about psychedelics and how they can be effective for treating PTSD, with some science-backed studies.
Welcome to steemit!
I am a moderator for a homesteading and gardening group on Discord. If you're ever interested in joining our homesteading community here on steemit, we'd love to have you. Just let me know and I can post the invite here.
Thank you! I would be interested.
Absolutely, here you go
https://discordapp.com/invite/VKCrWsS
Right on Matt! I saw this post cuz someone else in my feed resteemed it so you're already making allies! Glad you're on here. I hope you find a warm welcome :)
Awesome! I just posted my first article! https://steemit.com/psychology/@therightsideofup/the-science-behind-the-trip
Hi Matt @therightsideofup welcome to steemit, Upvoted you to give you a welcoming boost.
Looking forward to seeing more that you are willing to share (and have fun while you are here, we have a great community of folks here)
Thank you! So far, everyone has been awesome. I look forward to writing, interacting and learning more about this fascinating community.
There are a few vets here and a few bots that help vets to grow your channel. One for you to check out is @mericanhomestead.
Thank you!
Welcome to the homesteading community here on Steemit! There are A LOT of great people in this particular group of people.
We, too, are in Missouri. Although it doesn't sound like we are quite as far away from it all as you guys are. We are not too far from a rural town over in the eastern part of the state. Just moved here in June, and we love it. As you said, finally a place that is far removed from the ultra-consumerist American city culture.
Hope your time here on Steemit is well spent. We have enjoyed it thus far. :)
Thank you. It's funny to realize just how many homesteaders are here in Missouri! We sought nature because we knew we wanted more out of life than flashy things and "trending" trends. Those come and go. Nature stays!
Great pic of the eagle! Glad you are on steemit. I look forward to reading your posts.
Thanks! My wife has a nice Canon camera, and it's now standard operating procedure to take it with us on our treks into town, for moments just like this!
Wishing you a warm welcome to Steemit! Do you raise your own livestock?
Thank you! And so far, it's only been pigs and chickens.
I really want to raise chickens and we have a German Shepherd. I’m hoping he can handle being around chickens without gobbling them up.
German Shepherds can go either way. We have friends that visit, and bring their GS. He doesn't bother the chickens too much, but thankfully our chickens are used to our dogs, so they aren't skiddish which is important.
Welcome to steemit Matthew.
You might be interested in the list of Homesteaders and Preppers on steemit to connect with like-minded folk :
I am just working on the new updated list - I will add you to that if that is okay?
Yes!