Entry Date: March 13, 2008: Traveling and following the passion of where life takes us is truly inspirational, and something we can all do. The following sharing and blog entries were inspired greatly by wanting to share how there was a significant shift in my perception, which lead me on the journey I share here. This travel blog has been a great forum for having a place to share my thoughts and the passion for animals (and life). Out of this, a new fund-raising organization has now formed called Animal Dreamers (and a website: www.animaldreamers.org), as well as my own personal website (www.elephantdreamer.org) that will allow me to expand the ways I can share my writing ventures, some more specific travel ideas related to eco-tourism, being of service, and ? (we'll see)...... So may the journey that begun with this blog.... only continue!

Entry Date: February 6, 2008: The Journey Begins and Continues! This travel blog was started on December 23, 2007 in order to give some history of why connecting with wildlife organizations has become so important. It provides a detailed journal of my trip to India and Thailand that was made from January. 9th - Feburary. 6th 2008, including information about the three wildlife organizations I connected with (Wildlife S.O.S. and Help In Suffering while in India, and The Elephant Nature Park in Thailand). The main entries are listed in chronological order (the most recent will be listed on the top, however journal entries will begin with the first and work their way to the most recent). The entries begin with a summary of my first two trips to India and a little overview about my spiritual path, as well as the pivotal event that triggered this heart-interest in helping animals (especially the Asian Elephant). Additional entries will be added as there is inspiration to do so. Hints for navigating: anytime you want to get back to the listing of all of my blog entries, just click on the underlined "elephant-dreamer" then scroll down to the entry you want, and simply double click the heading of the entry.

I include my original "travelblog profile" here for reference, however I sense this journey will continue to be a growing experience, as I continue to explore and deepen my understanding of how to help the animals on this planet. Writing and fundraising seem the direction that I am to follow, yet I certainly know that the Mystery of Spirit leads us on paths our minds cannot understand, or anticipate. So, this is just the beginning as I get more fully involved in understanding what is going on, and learn what I/we can do to help.

Written on Decemeber 23, 2007 prior to trip: A growing passion to understand and explore the truth of our interconnection with animals has inspired this most recent pilgrimage to India and Thailand. Previous travels to Asia were to deepen my spiritual understanding. However, mysteriously it appears that this may be the most spiritual of all of my past journeys. Working as a medical social worker, it has been easier to stay open to the human experience than to the potential suffering of animals, especially elephants. Now, it seems a new path in life has begun, as I avail myself to the mystery and communication of animals. This heart-driven mission is to understand, to witness, and not turn away from the lives, experiences, and hardships of the animals I come in contact with. To do this, I am willing to risk a broken heart, as I allow myself to discover this unfolding story of compassion, healing, and advocacy. It is my hope this sharing will be of benefit to the animals I come in contact with, and that there be a growing awareness of their plight. It is also my wish that our hearts may be touched and inspired to do whatever we can to help the animals we say we love.

So may the journey continue!

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