Hello Friends,  I m just discovering how we might use this discussion forum.  I keep having email conversations with so many people about the formation of an ecovillage and am repeating the same thoughts over and over.  Thought this might be an easier way to converse with a number of you at the same time.  Having said that, I am a beginner at a forum of this type and welcome your help and input.  Starting an ecovillage is a new pioneer territory for me and seems daunting at times.  My way of approaching a huge project like this is to just start, call in lots of assistance and guidance and go for it.  I have watched quite a few communities in the formation process and many of them remain in the discussion process forever.  I have run TLC for over 15 years and have always thought I would have a small community of people here to form the base of support to steward this lovely place and vision.  I believe the time is past due and I want to get it moving now.  I have worn a few too many hats over the years and have had a variety of folks here helping out. There have always been a million tasks and details calling for my attention and a workload that would never quit.  Now I have moved the formation of the community to the top of the list.  In order to continue in a good way, I am setting the intention that the absolutely perfect group of people comes together now and the way is open for a strong community foundation to form.

Some of you know that I go back and forth to South Africa on a regular basis.  I am just back from a month's stay there and have had numerous international contacts with people who are building projects like TLC.  The economy has taken its toll on grassroots projects all over the globe and many of us find ourselves on the verge of burnout.  The lovely thing has been the mutual support and commitment to the vision of building places/groups dedicated to loving the earth.  The TLC property is awesome and most of it has been held as a wildlife habitat undisturbed by humans.  I am being called to South Africa by the spirit in some beautiful mountains that served as sacred space for the San Bushmen.  It is my belief that the ancestors are helping us now and are calling many people back to deep connection with the earth.  That has become my passion and dedication.  It gives me hope to do all I can to preserve spaces on the earth so that some natural space may exist when my grandchildren grow up.  I welcome those of you who will join this path! Robin

(for more about my recent stay in South Africa see the attachment)