I'm struggling to cobble together a life that will become fulfilling and worthy of living, even as I struggle to exist in this place called 'Tent City'.
It's managed by Catholic Charities in Pinellas County, FL, for the ever increasing homeless population.
I ended up here after getting out of PAR, a local addiction rehab clinic, where I spent 17 days, and lost my place of living in the process.
Now, my days are filled with the joy of vying for resources in a homeless village with around 300 occupants.
Don't get me wrong, this isn't a shanty-town with people scrambling for dumpster-pickings.
There's meals, showers, laundry facilities, clothing, computers- one of which I'm using now.
It's just time-consuming and a little aggravating to always have to work around others.
Waiting half a day to wash clothes, waiting in line for food, coffee, a chance to use the microwave, even to volunteer for a chore.
I'm not complaining; I try to practice gratitude for the things that are going well and the resources being offered.
It's just disconcerting sometimes to not be able to do things in a timely way, some days so little gets done.
What is it that doesn't get done? I'm always trying to carve out more time for Art.
I have a friend who's recording my Music, but that's going at a snail's pace.
I'm Blogging, which has led me to all sorts of marketing email that takes time to sort through.
And that with only a half-hour computer session at a time.
I'm battling a time constraint issue, while at the same time trying to maintain an appreciation for the things I can do day-to-day.
It's a balance I'm just starting to learn.
I guess the important thing is I'm not drinking; these things I'm learning will get easier.
Striking that balance between ambition and acceptance of the vagaries of life is itself a struggle.
I strive for a blend of eustress and complacency.
It's hard to achieve, and harder to maintain.