Lake Lemon, Yellowwood State Forest, and Brown County

We may have an urge to travel abroad, but it ought not be because we cannot find beauty here at home. There is so much that America has to offer, and I can begin to appreciate that spending time in the beautiful lands and waters of Brown County.

It's pristine air, pastoral views, and its quiet lakes and forests, do make for a great get-away from the hectic pace of urban life, and a life filled with challenges of both a professional and personal nature. I am so grateful that one can enjoy nature's beauties so close to Indianapolis.

*Lake Lemon: largely wide open of calm water, with a few motor boats and developments along the shore.

*Yellowwood State Forest: truly rustic, with narrow, gravel roads, preserving as much of the true character of the forest as possible

*Brown County's countryside: very pastoral, interrupted with some residential developments (clean, not trashy though)

Sprawl quite apparent, though, in the neighborhoods south of downtown...

Sustainable Community in Indianapolis

Great signs of commitment:

1. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful
Their new space will help to convene groups together

2. The Central Indiana Regional Council
As a platform for convening various groups together to work on common advocacy issues

3. Many groups committed to sustainability
KIBI, Journey's Fire, Indy Chamber, IndyGreen Print, Indianapolis Climate Change Network, Casa Verde, Cottage Home Neighborhood Association (Tyler/Laura/Andrea), NUVO, City of Indianapolis (Brownfields Coordinator)

Keep Pushing...

So much is this is about having confidence, things will happen automatically.
1. Know your stuff
2. Find a community and stick with it
3. See the humor/absurdity in things
4. Have patience - it takes a year
5. No brooding at all
6. No chicken and egg problems

A Liberal Community in Indianapolis

July 12 - Despite its reputation for conservatism, there's unquestionably a pocket and band of brothers (and sisters) who prescribe to a liberal worldview. That presence was exemplified in the sizable turnout to see "Flow" a documentary that critiques growing corporate control of Indiana's water supply.

Meeting Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

July 8 - A sign of Indianapolis's comfort with multiculturalism is indicated by the very multiracial audience to hear Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation. The audience was introduced to the distinguished, Hindu-inspired humanitarian by Indiana's Attorney General. It was striking to see a highly captivated audience, clinging to Sri Sri's every word, and participating with gusto in his chant at the end.

No Time to Brood - There's So Much To Do

In a world of strangers and in a world where we people are welcoming (but not inviting), one can get discouraged and lonely. But do not despair...

1. Believe in yourself: the great qualities that you have to offer to the world
2. Discover the real you - through introspection and trying things out
3. Dive in and join different groups! There's so much to do -- "even in a place like Indiana"
4. Over time, with faith, love, and patience, you'll meet nice activity partners.
5. Those partners will become your friends.
6. And maybe you'll find your soul mate among them.

5 Ideas for Developing Your Cardio in Indianapolis

1. IndyRunners

2. Indiana Sports and Social Club

3. Central Indiana Bicycling Association

4. Sierra Club

5. Hoosier Canoe Club

And two more:
*Taking a meditation/yoga class (e.g. Art of Living)
*Getting a membership at the Natatorium

4th of July at Morse Lake (in Cicero, Indiana)

-An off the beaten track opportunity
-Family-oriented crowd
-Traditional food fare, like funnel cakes and elephant ears
-Wonderful music by "The Lapel Community Band" (stationed just east of the Lake near the corner of Buckeye and Main Streets)

Noblesville to Cicero Train

-Surprisingly, people were not drunk or unrowdy in any way
-Employees/volunteers of the ITM were friendly and helpful and courteous, reflective of a bygone?! era
-Train looked on the interior and exterior as a creaky version of the Chicago Metra train

Noblesville

-Generic, upscale suburbia
-A quaint downtown of some nice architecture (Courthouse)

Carmel

-Leafy, manicured suburbia, with interesting roundabouts

Harrison Center

-A pocket of almost continual innovative artistic activit

I wonder if it is rather unique in its pairing of an Evangelical church with an art center that appears to embrace all styles and worldviews?

Near Northside and Delaware Street

-Charming architecture
-A row of non-profits, from the Propylaeum to the Harrison Home to different religious organizations (Baptist, Jehovah's Witness)

The Luck of Living in Indianapolis

For someone who wants to have a composite, holistic understanding of the human condition, Indianapolis is a great place to be, for it's small enough to be comprehensible for which one can get to know the landscape of stakeholders, but big enough to attract true innovators who want a big laboratory to test out ideas for helping others.

Because of its geographic centrality, one can also study the human condition in smaller urban areas (Gary, Evansville) and very rural areas (e.g. the towns that dot much of Indiana).

Finding those people who spark ideas for communities

As a newcomer to Indiana, it can be discouraging to not have a community that you can walk to, or call at a moment's notice, to enjoy life with, and share your thoughts and feelings with. People are married, tied up in their own social circles, and generally immersed in their own busy lives.

Look for people who can provide that spark of ideas to build communities:

1. Young professionals that seem to be "in the know" of anything and everything
2. Young-at-heart professional that seem to be "in the know" of anything and everything
3. Leaders of hobby clubs (dancing, running, biking, etc.)
4. Youth pastors
5. People who organize retreats
6. Non-profit leaders who organize service trips