When he saw the red rocks, he knew he had made the right choice. With Standing Bear’s advice, he had not officially quit his job in New York – not yet. Taking a leave of absence though, allowed him to enjoy nature again. He was regaining some sanity.
Seventy hour work weeks had taken a toll on him, in more ways than one. He was in Northern New Mexico now, near Taos. He was hiking, and camping with a tent, which he had not done in years. It took just one day for the healing and restoration to begin. The days were filled with intoxicating sunlight, and the nights were cold, which made for great sleeping, as he hunkered down in his sleeping bag.
As he was carving, and sanding down a walking stick one day, he started thinking about his job. How could he quit when so many of his people looked up to him? He was a huge success. Maybe that was the point, he didn’t need to be a millionaire, and it was time to get back to his people. It was time to give to his people. 
He could not live apart from them anymore. If he did keep his job, he would do so out here, close to nature, attending the Pow Wows, and yes even dancing, like in the visions he had. He needed to feel whole and complete, and that meant living out here.
That also meant he could seek out relationships. Was it wrong to seek a woman? Of course not. Even his mother and father (both gone now) would approve. Later, when he took a break from walking, he sat on some rocks and looked at the sky. The sun began hiding behind some clouds. He smiled to himself, realizing he needed the physical and the spiritual in his life. It felt good to be alive again.
After five days of being in the wilderness, he came to a trading post, in a little town called Big Stone Gap. They had supplies, a restaurant, and an inn. He thought it would be good idea to eat someone else’s cooking for a couple of days. While he was in the restaurant, he read some of the local newspapers. Under the help wanted ads he saw something that caught his eye. There was a teaching job open at the River Rocks Community College, in the Economics Department. The more he read about it, the more he wanted to work there.
He was about to reach for his phone and call Standing Bear, to tell him about it, when he noticed his waitress, for the first time. How did God make such beautiful women? They talked for a while, and later she took her break by sitting down with him. He found out her name was Linda, and noticed that she looked more Mexican, than First Nations – but so what! Yes it sure was good to be alive again…. 
Note: I have decided not to call this a “conclusion”, because I’m leaving it open for future possibilities. I would like to see more of James Dreamwalker (and his relationships) in the future!
Blessings to everyone and PEACE!
Writing © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree
photos from google
