Hi Rudy and Ann

My partner and I have read Ann and Rudy’s book Blessed by the Wild. Both of us have been gripped by the word ‘Life Style Activist’. Every Sunday we discuss a paragraph from the essay; what this means to us and how we want to integrate it into our lives.

Intriguing

‘Thanks to the Boekenfans site I got to read this book for free and I can now write a good and honest review.
Previously I read about this book: “This travel journal through the landscape of society and nature is steeped in love, encounters and unexpected insights. The journey finishes off with an essay: seven stories about the road travelled by humankind and an invitation to adopt life style activism”.
And so, intrigued by this story, I joined the journey to Canada as an armchair traveller. As the story was written by two psychologists, I was expecting it to be rather ‘heavy’. But nothing could be further from the truth; you drew me into your story.
I also believe that coincidence does not exist and that everything happens for a reason: the meeting with the shaman, Abi and her polyamorous story, and that adds an extra layer to the story. I have a lot of respect for Ann and Rudy, in that they are talking about their amorous relationship in such an open and honest manner. But it fits well within the book.
I could picture the journey vividly, appreciate the silence, admire the beauty and felt infinitely small from time to time. The deeper conversations between the two of them as well as their dialogues with others they met on their journey gave me food for thought, especially this paragraph: “Stop fighting for a better world and stop being angry about the destructive nature of humanity. The biologist had taught us that destruction is an essential part of ecology. Nathalia explained us how destruction is an essential part of a positive process towards a higher consciousness. We, humans and the Earth, are moving towards a new order, towards a new relationship with the world.”
I won’t turn into a fully-fledged life style activist but I will adopt a thing or two because indeed, it has to start with yourself.
A trip to Canada was already high on my wish list and it certainly is now. I feel that words cannot express all the impressions you are taking in. Ann and Rudy, many thanks for letting me hike along with you.’

Walking the answer

Ann and Rudy have written an important book. It proposes a most insightful perspective of their experience of deep connection with Nature and with humanity. The travelogue gives an authentic and charming account of their loving relationship and their interaction with the flora and fauna (including a collection of hikers with very diverse worldviews). The book includes an Essay on Lifestyle activism, which I found very inspiring. I will definitively use the 7 commitments to guide my further development.