As things go, I live a contented life. Calling home, for the last four years, the lower southwestern portion of Missouri. Far beyond the prying eyes of city life, far beyond the borders of suburbia, even further than what most would consider the “country.” It’s a slice of rural paradise where our land is wrapped around on three sides by the Mark Twain National Forest. Where I’m more likely to see coyotes, fox, cows, hawks, Bald eagles, and the occasional Black bear, more than I would see a person, people, humanity. And I like that.
Here, mighty oaks, maples and walnuts whisper nature secrets to each other through rustling leaves. And if you listen… you just might learn something. We grow and can our own veggies and meat. My wife and I have a little homestead full of life, and dogs, and a connection to the land that's hard to find in today's fast-paced, consumer world.
A typical morning sunrise, from our front door.
It hasn’t always been easy. The road to this point has been fraught with peril. Surviving combat, Marine Corps life. Being diagnosed with PTSD in 2012, and navigating a marriage through it all; psychiatric hospitals, soul-sucking darkness, suicides and the loss of friends--way too early, and the recent years spent adjusting to post-Marine Corps life.
But I’ve begun to settle in, to listen to nature around me. Feeling my own roots grasping, anchoring into the soil. I’m a firm believer in nature as healing. That nature can teach us all humility, kindness, patience, and love. I believe in the power of psychedelics, especially psilocybin mushrooms, to not only expand your mind, but to heal from mental trauma. I know, because it’s healing me. And I believe in the power of love, for if it wasn’t for the strength of my wife, whose stayed at my side through the darkest of times, I don’t know where I’d be. Yes, I live a contented life. I am happy.
Every year, our garden comes to life. The beauty, the serenity of nature.
As to why I’m on Steemit? How I came across the site?
I’m simply hoping to connect with like-minded individuals, share my knowledge and experiences, write a whole lot because that’s what I love to do, (along with staying in shape). I was turned onto this site by 
You can check out my personal blog, and some of the stuff I've already written, here at http://matthewghayes.com/
Or, find me on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/matthew.hayes.319247