Living in the Middle: Living somewhere in the middle, what’s it like? I live somewhere in the middle.
Going a step further, I’d say at one point, my family was one of the most isolated families in North America, perhaps even one of the most isolated in the world. Building an igloo in the spring of 1980 (though that was my brother, not me, for clarification).
Would you believe it? Keep reading.
Here’s a map of the United States taken directly from Google Earth. As you can see, it’s quite a vast area.
Now, some of you may not be aware, but just north of the United States, there’s another country. That’s Canada. It’s also quite a large place, even larger than the United States.
However, what you might not know is that while Canada is quite large, it doesn’t have a very dense population, with only a few people scattered mainly along the borders. The entire population of Canada’s northern regions is about 31,000, covering an area of over 2 million square kilometers. So, living in the northern regions as I did, I was already “somewhere in the middle” in quite a significant way. I spent three years in a resort bay with a population of about 250. It’s quite an isolated place, but lively as an Arctic community—this is where all journeys to the Arctic began. Here’s a map of the resort; zoom out for scale. Google Maps. As a rough guide, the distance from New York to the resort is about the same as from New York to San Francisco… but the flight to the resort is true north. To give you a sense of Canada’s scale, the resort is closer to Russia than the Canada-U.S. border.
The resort is also quite cold… here’s a typical February morning on my way to school (and yes, we went outside for breaks).
A typical February morning at the resort.
In 1977, when I was 14, we moved to a research camp situated in the northern middle of Keewatin. The arrow in this picture points to the location. I lived there with my parents, three siblings, and a graduate student.
Our camp consisted of three prefab buildings, totaling about 3,000 square feet.
Aerial view: Sakwakjuak. Generator shed on the right, main camp in the middle, brown tank for fuel storage.
View of Sakwakjuak from Weather Station Hill.
Same view in spring.
The small buildings were for storage and the diesel generators (my responsibility). No power meant no lights or radios. Not great.
Generator shed, with two Ford 20KW and one Lister 4KW.
It was a fantastic place, especially for those with a bit of adventurous spirit. We had a pet fox right outside our doorstep. I’m on the left.
Feeding the fox, October 1977.
I didn’t actually go to school, but I learned a few useful things. It was either learn how to fix something when it broke or die. No Coast Guard, no 911, no phones, no tow trucks, no garages, no Walmarts. That’s me on the right, 16 years old, replacing the diesel engine of a boat I worked on every summer using a homemade A-frame made from scrap we found at the dump.
Me with Guy Amarok, summer 1979.
There was a small town about 50 miles south of us, but we only had access part of the year. And when I say “small town,” I mean around 150 people, with a plane delivering mail twice a week. Double-digit phone numbers. Store about the size of a 7-Eleven.
At the camp, we had no TV, no phones, no internet, no satellites, no GPS, no FedEx. We had a single-sideband HF radio for high-power CB use in emergencies.
Radio station at Sakwakjuak, summer 1980.
We had food ordered a year in advance, so our kitchen was like a sort of store.
Kitchen at Sakwakjuak, summer 1978.
Of course, my mom wasn’t too pleased when I put up an antenna 60 feet high. No hospitals, ambulances, doctors around. Tricky.
Installing a cube quad antenna for 12.125 MHz SSB. That’s me at the top.
We traveled by snowmobile and made igloos when we needed shelter. Here’s a typical trip, me on top of the igloo with fish caught through a hole in the ice (that ice is over 6 feet thick).
March 1978 at the camp.
Apart from the camp, there wasn’t much else. This is the same building where I was feeding the fox, but this is during early summer, with about 10 feet of snow. We stored things on the roof to prevent loss during snowstorms.
View from Sakwakjuak, March 1978.
Still, we had plenty of fun. Reading, camping, hunting, fishing, tinkering, goofing off in the lab. We even had Legos.
Camp life. I’m in the back canoe, using two paddles as masts and a tent fly as a sail, lashing two canoes together. We sailed 15 miles that day.
Fish caught! Midnight, June 1979.
Building something in the workshop. With a welder and a drill press, I could make a lot.
Playing with Legos. We had a ton of Steam Trawler sets.
In the summer, visitors came by plane or boat, and in the winter, by snowmobile and sled.
Visitors dropping by for lunch in a Twin Otter. Probably part of a mining crew.
Visitors from town arriving on Ski-Doos and Komatiks (sleds).
We had three kinds of visitors at our camp. First, we had a lot of Inuit friends who would come by often. They were always welcome. It took about 2-3 hours by snowmobile from town (Chesterfield Inlet), so weekends were always lively.
Inuit culture is very hospitable, and knocking on doors is considered rude because it implies the person doesn’t want to see you. We often had a dozen or more visitors around.
Spring 1988.
Sometimes they’d bring fresh caribou, which was amazing raw.
But sometimes, there was music.
Getting ready for music: Looks like a banjo and an accordion.
We also had scientists and grad students visit. In the winter, 1-2 people, and in the summer, up to 25 would stay at the camp.
On busy days, everyone pitched in. This is a typical scene in the lab. Even the Inuit visitors helped out.
A typical day in the lab. That’s me in the T-shirt on the right.
And then there were surprise visitors. Often people doing mineral surveys and such would stop by. Sometimes they’d drop in for lunch while flying.
We didn’t have family up north, but we were “adopted” by local families and got along very well with them.
We also had radios. Since all long-distance calls were made via radio links back then, we could hear almost everything happening in the Eastern Arctic. Plus, there was another radio that all the village Inuit used for communication, so we got all the local gossip too. So, we weren’t completely isolated.
Still, it was hard to see visitors leave.
Wanna know how isolated we were? For fun, I overlaid South Dakota on top of our area. According to Wikipedia, South Dakota, with an area of 200,000 square kilometers, represents an average-sized U.S. state. For Europeans, it’s roughly the size of the UK. And here’s the kicker: we, just one family, lived in an area the size of South Dakota or the UK.
(For my readers in India, updated with an overlay showing Gujarat—again, we lived in an area the size of Gujarat with just one family.)
The yellow represents South Dakota. We were the only people living in that entire area.
The purple represents Gujarat.
Now, let’s take it a step further. It might sound unbelievable, but this whole area was originally inhabited by Inuit people. However, when we moved there in 1977, they had all relocated to the small town I mentioned earlier.
But historically, say before 1900, this entire area was home to thousands of Inuit who knew this land like the back of their hands. They would regularly migrate far into the region, seeking food or meeting other families. And they did it all as families, using only tools they made themselves, wearing warmer clothes than we did, eating just meat. In fact, many lived a lifestyle that many would characterize as the “Stone Age.”
Even in the middle of nowhere, some things never change. And there’s a lesson here that I believe in: it’s not about how isolated we were but about the connections we chose. Minority actions may be feared, but many people’s actions bring comfort.
A note about the photos: All photos were taken with a Canon TL 50mm lens, shot on Kodachrome by my father. By the way, shooting below minus 40 degrees isn’t easy. The slides were scanned with a Canon Coolscan, with no color correction, editing, or Photoshop done. And these are just a few random photos; there are thousands of amazing ones.
Illuminated igloo with a Coleman lantern. A harpoon is set up in case a bear comes. The hunter is about to enter for the evening.
Ladakh Living in the Middle Expedition: Embark on a Mesmerizing Journey Through Orchards and Villages
Embarking on a Living in the Middle Unveiled: Discovering the Path to Inner Peace
What is a Living in the Middle ?
In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, finding inner peace can sometimes feel like a distant dream. We are constantly bombarded with stress, distractions, and responsibilities that pull us in all directions, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and disconnected from ourselves. But what if I told you that there is a path to inner peace, a Living in the Middle that can help you find serenity amidst the chaos? In this article, we will explore what a Living in the Middle entails and how it can uncover the path to inner peace.
A Living in the Middle is a personal voyage of self-discovery and growth, where we consciously seek to cultivate inner peace and serenity. It is a deliberate choice to embark on a path that allows us to find solace within ourselves, regardless of external circumstances. This journey involves exploring various practices and techniques that can help us connect with our inner selves, find balance, and achieve a state of tranquility. It is about slowing down, being present, and finding harmony in our thoughts, emotions, and actions.
The importance of inner peace
Inner peace is not just a lofty ideal or a luxury Living in the Middle; it is a fundamental need for our overall well-being and happiness. When we lack inner peace, we become more susceptible to stress, anxiety, and other negative emotions that can take a toll on our mental and physical health Living in the Middle. Inner peace, on the other hand, is like an anchor that keeps us grounded and resilient in the face of challenges. It allows us to navigate through life’s ups and downs with grace and equanimity.
Moreover, inner peace is not just beneficial for ourselves; it also has a positive ripple effect on those around us. When we are at peace within ourselves, we radiate a calm and positive energy that can inspire and uplift others. Our relationships become more harmonious, and our interactions become more compassionate and understanding. Inner peace is, therefore, not a selfish pursuit but a gift that we can offer to ourselves and the world.
The benefits of embarking on a Living in the Middle
Embarking on a Living in the Middle can bring forth a multitude of benefits that extend beyond just inner peace. As we delve deeper into our journey, we begin to develop a heightened self-awareness, gaining a clearer understanding of our thoughts, emotions, and patterns of behavior. This self-awareness allows us to make conscious choices and break free from negative habits and conditioning that no longer serve us.
Additionally, a Living in the Middle helps us cultivate resilience and emotional intelligence. It equips us with the tools and techniques to navigate through life’s challenges with grace and ease. We become more adaptable and less reactive to external circumstances, allowing us to maintain our inner equilibrium even in the midst of chaos.
Moreover, a Living in the Middle fosters personal growth and self-acceptance. As we connect with our inner selves, we begin to uncover our true passions, values, and purpose in life. We gain the clarity and confidence to pursue our dreams and live authentically. This journey also enables us to embrace our imperfections and love ourselves unconditionally, fostering a deep sense of self-worth and fulfillment.
Exploring different paths to inner peace Living in the Middle
There are many paths that can lead us to inner peace, and it is important to find the ones that resonate with us personally. One such path is through mindfulness and meditation practices. Mindfulness involves being fully present in the moment, observing our thoughts and emotions without judgment. It helps us cultivate a sense of inner calm and clarity, allowing us to let go of worries about the past or future.
Meditation, on the other hand, is a practice that involves training the mind to focus and redirect our thoughts. It can be as simple as sitting in silence and focusing on our breath or engaging in guided meditation exercises. Regular meditation practice has been proven to reduce stress, improve concentration, and promote emotional well-being.
Another path to inner peace is through connecting with nature. Spending time in nature can have a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being. It allows us to disconnect from the noise and distractions of daily life and reconnect with the beauty and stillness of the natural world. Whether it’s a hike in the mountains, a walk on the beach, or simply sitting in a park, immersing ourselves in nature can restore our sense of balance and tranquility.
Mindfulness and meditation techniques for inner peace Living in the Middle
Mindfulness and meditation are powerful tools that can help us cultivate inner peace. Here are a few techniques to incorporate into your daily routine:
Body scan meditation: Find a quiet and comfortable space. Close your eyes and bring your attention to different parts of your body, starting from your toes and moving up to your head. Notice any sensations or tension, and consciously release any tension you feel.
Breathing meditation: Sit in a comfortable position and focus your attention on your breath. Observe the natural rhythm of your breath without trying to control it. If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath.
Walking meditation: Take a slow and mindful walk, paying attention to each step and the sensations in your body. Notice the sounds, smells, and sights around you, fully immersing yourself in the present moment.
Remember, the key to mindfulness and meditation is consistency. Set aside a few minutes each day to practice, and gradually increase the duration as you become more comfortable.
Connecting with nature for a Living in the Middle
Nature has a way of soothing our souls and reconnecting us with our true essence. Here are some ways to connect with nature and enhance your Living in the Middle:
Go for a hike: Find a nearby trail or park and embark on a hike. Notice the beauty of the natural surroundings, breathe in the fresh air, and let the rhythm of your footsteps guide you into a state of peacefulness Living in the Middle.
Practice forest bathing: Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese practice that involves immersing oneself in the healing atmosphere of a forest. Simply spend time in a forested area, engaging all your senses and allowing the sights, sounds, and smells of nature to rejuvenate your spirit.
Gardening: If you have access to a garden or even a small balcony, gardening can be a wonderful way to connect with nature. Planting and nurturing plants can be a meditative practice, allowing you to cultivate patience, mindfulness, and a sense of connection to the earth.
Exploring Different Paths to Inner Peace
There are myriad paths to inner peace, and what works for one person may not work for another. It is essential to explore different practices and techniques to find what resonates with us personally. Some people find solace in mindfulness and meditation, while others may find peace through engaging in creative activities such as painting or writing.
Mindfulness and Meditation Techniques for Inner Peace
Mindfulness and meditation are powerful practices that can lead us towards inner peace. Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment, cultivating a state of non-reactive awareness. By practicing mindfulness, we can train our minds to focus on the present and let go of worries about the past or future. This practice allows us to develop a sense of inner calm and tranquility.
Meditation, on the other hand, involves intentionally focusing our attention and eliminating the stream of thoughts that often clutter our minds. Through meditation, we can cultivate a sense of inner stillness and peace. Regular meditation practice has been shown to reduce stress, improve concentration, and enhance overall well-being.
Connecting with Nature for a Living in the Middle
Nature has a profound impact on our well-being and can be a powerful catalyst for inner peace. Spending time in nature allows us to disconnect from the demands of modern life and reconnect with our true selves. Whether it’s taking a walk in the forest, sitting by the ocean, or simply gazing at the stars, nature has a way of soothing our souls and reminding us of the beauty and interconnectedness of all things.
Cultivating Gratitude and Positivity on Your Journey
Gratitude and positivity are essential qualities to cultivate on our Living in the Middle. By practicing gratitude, we shift our focus from what is lacking in our lives to what we already have. This shift in perspective can bring about a sense of contentment and appreciation for the present moment. Positivity, on the other hand, involves consciously choosing to see the good in every situation and maintaining an optimistic outlook on life. These practices can help us cultivate inner peace and foster a mindset of abundance and joy.
Finding Balance and Harmony in Your Life
Finding balance and harmony is crucial for inner peace. It involves aligning our actions, values, and priorities with our innermost desires and aspirations. This may require making conscious choices to simplify our lives, set healthy boundaries, and prioritize self-care. By finding a balance between work, relationships, and personal well-being, we create a fertile ground for inner peace to flourish.
Cultivating gratitude and positivity on your journey
Gratitude and positivity are essential ingredients for a Living in the Middle. By cultivating an attitude of gratitude, we shift our focus from what is lacking in our lives to what we already have. This shift in perspective allows us to appreciate the present moment and find joy in the simple things.
One way to cultivate gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Each day, write down three things you are grateful for. They can be as simple as a warm cup of tea in the morning or a kind word from a friend. By consistently practicing gratitude, we train our minds to notice the positive aspects of our lives, which in turn enhances our overall sense of well-being.
In addition to gratitude, nurturing a positive mindset is crucial for inner peace. Positive affirmations, visualization exercises, and surrounding ourselves with uplifting and supportive individuals can help cultivate positivity. Practice self-compassion and treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would a dear friend.
Finding balance and harmony in your life
In our fast-paced and demanding world, finding balance and harmony is essential for our well-being. Here are a few tips to help you find balance on your Living in the Middle:
Set boundaries: Learn to say no to activities and commitments that drain your energy and do not align with your priorities. Prioritize self-care and allocate time for activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul.
Practice self-care: Self-care is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation, whether it’s reading a book, taking a bubble bath, or practicing yoga. Remember that self-care looks different for everyone, so find what works best for you.
Create a daily routine: Establishing a daily routine can provide a sense of structure and stability. Include activities that promote self-care, mindfulness, and relaxation in your routine. This will help you create a sense of balance and ensure that you prioritize your well-being.
Embracing self-care practices for inner peace
Self-care is a vital aspect of our Living in the Middle. It is about nourishing ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here are some self-care practices to incorporate into your daily life:
Nourish your body: Eat nutritious meals, stay hydrated, and engage in regular physical activity. Move your body in ways that bring you joy, whether it’s through dancing, hiking, or practicing yoga. Prioritize sleep and create a bedtime routine that promotes restful sleep.
Nurture your mind: Engage in activities that stimulate your mind and promote mental well-being. This can include reading books, engaging in creative hobbies, or learning something new. Take breaks from technology and spend time in quiet reflection or journaling.
Cultivate emotional well-being: Allow yourself to feel and express your emotions in healthy ways. This can include talking to a trusted friend or therapist, practicing self-compassion, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and relaxation Living in the Middle.
Conclusion: Embrace the path to inner peace and embark on your Living in the Middle
Embarking on a Living in the Middle is a profound and transformative experience. It is a commitment to nurturing your inner self, finding balance, and cultivating inner peace. Remember that this journey is unique to you, and there is no right or wrong way to embark on it. Explore different paths, experiment with various practices, and find what resonates with you.
By embracing the path to inner peace, you open yourself up to a world of growth, self-discovery, and serenity. So take the first step today and embark on your Living in the Middle. Embrace the beauty of the present moment, cultivate gratitude and positivity, and nurture yourself with self-care. The path to inner peace awaits you.
