I’m John, aka 
First, How I got to Steemit
Last year I was studying a bit about blockchain technology and got excited about how it will positively change so many aspects of life. And I stumbled onto Steemit. I love the concept and joined in December 2017. I see Steemit as a fantastic forum for exploring life, both light and dark. I’ve got 6 decades of life behind me and could enjoy another 6 ahead of me too if I put my heart into it. So beware, I’ve got a lot to talk about!!
Verified with Oscar as my witness! (Oscar is the one without glasses!.)
Present Time
My starting point for the Steemit journey is an eclectic life full of family, friends and adventures. I’ve been married to my High School sweetheart, Elaine, for 44 years. Oh, and did I mention that we have six children.
A happy anniversary
I currently do materials science and engineering to fund my life and adventures. I work both in the small micro-spaces and the large macro-spaces of life and continually see more and more the connectedness of all things. Elaine and I created and maintain a Suburban Woodland Garden oasis that teaches me the importance of edges, interfaces and nodes. There is abundant life in our garden.
Our Suburban Wildlife Garden in the DFW area is a wildlife paradise.
Past Times
I love learning and after a dark delay from the shadow of seriously ill children, I finished my BS Chemistry Degree at age 30 and my Master’s Degree in Materials Science at age 50. I’m published in peer reviewed science journals and love teaching as well. I’ve taught permaculture gardening, beekeeping and materials science classes. I’m also a spiritual person and taught all the books of the Christian Bible during my church years. In my post-church years I worked to intermediate level in kundalini yoga and continue a modified practice.
My dark side of life includes bouts with mind fog and depression that eventually were diagnosed as mostly due to celiac (gluten intolerance). Shadows of fear and hidden trauma have been soothed with mindfulness practices. Two 10-day Vipassana Meditation retreats and following practice provided powerful mindfulness training. These are all for future posts about life and living.
On the lighter side, my genealogy research revealed an Irish and Scottish connection that added more adventure to my life. I took advantage of this to have fun wearing a kilt and enjoying the entertaining Irish and Scottish festivals and holidays in Texas.
Modern Duncan kilt (Clan Donnachaidh) with an Irish flair for St. Patrick's Day 2017.
Future Times
I’m working on my vision for the next 54 years and it’s built around five connecting nodes of life that I’ll share later. My efforts will be toward discovering the “complete me”. In this way, I will contribute to the re-creation of a resilient world built on loving-kindness and life for all beings. It will include learning and actions in health, nutrition, consciousness, mindfulness, science, technology and the connectedness of all things.
I’ll continue to use valuable tools like Patti Dobrowolski’s Draw your future. I share it now because it’s simple and powerful. It’s like vision boards and mind maps that I’ve used for years, but on steroids! These let me engage my emotions as well as my mind. I want to share what I learn as we all grow together. What a delightful adventure.
I keep my drawing on our magnetic paint kitchen pantry door.
I appreciate making this connection with you. May you be at peace, be free from suffering and be happy!