Opportunity to Live the Life of One's Dreams...But Will Life's Traumas Whisk It All Away? Assault:Part 4

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Being that we are in the aftermath of another day spent under armed guard at the @gardenofeden with the Arlington Police forcing unwarranted entry on three separate occasions onto our land on May 23, 2018, I will be sharing some of my thoughts as I process what occurred here concerning the stabbing of @quinneaker by a homeless man, and the grave mishandling of the entire situation by the Arlington Police Department whereby Quinn was arrested instead of the man who assaulted him.  The on-going saga:

- Blessed are we for this opportunity to stand together!  
What doesn't kill us, makes us stronger - Assault: Preface
- Excuses, excuses, excuses - “I’m Just Doing My Job” - Assault: Part 1
- I Am, More Than Ever, Grateful to Be Me! --
Dreaming of a world of accountability - Assault: Part 2
- @quinneaker's Light Shining Brighter Than Ever - Assault: Part 3

Now that you know some things about @quinneaker and the incredible life he has created at the @gardenofeden, I’d also like to share with you some of the amazingness that he also shares with others, including the homeless man who stabbed him on May 23, 2018.

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Everyone who makes their way to the @gardenofeden does so of their own volition.  We never solicit anyone to be a part of what we are a part of, they must find us on their own.  They get to stay on a day-to-day basis, they can leave whenever they want, and we can ask them to leave whenever we want.  We really love a win/win situation that’s good for everyone.

Many people have followed our holistic life on social media for years and feel called to come.  Some hear about our experiences with the Arlington Police Department, are appalled and want to help.  Some are looking for a place to heal.  Some have skills they want to contribute to an inspiring lifestyle.  Some are looking for an answer to society's ills.  Some have come because they had no other place to go.  Some have come to one of our events and were so astounded they begged to stay.  And still others have come for a meal, fell in love, and never wanted to leave.

Quinn has always believed that everyone deserves a second chance, so no matter where or who they have been in life, he has given them the opportunity to begin anew.  He has given them opportunities they have never had in a healthy, loving, peaceful and progressive environment.

Now some people, like the police and their higher ups at the City of Arlington, have no frame of reference for such a lifestyle.  It obviously  makes them very uncomfortable to come upon people who are actually happy!  I dare say, that if I was living here on this land with my blood relatives--grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren--people would consider us homesteaders who pass on our family business to the next generation.  However, very few of us at the @gardenofeden are actually blood related, so that somehow changes the scenario in people’s minds, and they try to put us in a box of their own limited understanding.

I’ve actually had young adults in their late teens or early twenties say their parents were afraid for them to come here, having fear that we are a cult.  My reply “What did you tell your parents?”

“Did you tell them that you have the opportunity to learn life skills you have never learned in school nor likely any where else, that will serve you for a lifetime?  

Did you tell them that there are no expenses for room and board?  
No tuition?  
No materials fees?  
And as much free healthy food as you can eat? 

Did you tell them you get free wi-fi?
Free water?
Free electricity?  
And even free workouts!

A completely free education from masters in their craft---
like permaculture,
food production systems,
culinary arts,
food preservation, 

holistic health,
earthen and sustainable building, 

animal husbandry,
clothing and interior design,
web design,
financial planning,
parenting,
alternative energy,
resource management,
productive and prolific business....
and that’s just the beginning?  

Did you tell them you could become better organized,
more focused,
more capable,
more competent,
more energetic,
stronger,
healthier,
and even happier?  

Did you tell them that you are getting one-on-one tutoring
from highly skilled people with hands-on experience
and no financial risk to you whatsoever?

Did you tell them that there is no religious dogma?
No discrimination?
That there is racial and generation diversity from all around the globe?
That there have been people here from all walks of life
including doctors, former police officers,
travelers, builders, engineers, people who are skilled, and those who are just learning,
as well as people who simply need a place to heal?

Did you tell them about our humanitarian efforts
and that there is opportunity to contribute to something greater than yourself?

Did you tell them that you get to live with people who are living healthy,
vibrant and exciting lives...living their dream and selflessly sharing it with others? 

Did you tell them that there is support for musical, artistic or other personal passions
so that you too can live your dream?

Did you tell them that you get to immerse yourself every single day in a
responsible, holistic and honorable reality presently available to very few? 

And...Did you tell them that the only thing required of you is that you be honorable and live up to your written and verbal agreements?”

The man who lived homeless on the streets for 15 years was not only a recipient of all of these blessings, but he also received guidance, patience, understanding, grander perspective, chance after chance even after seriously dishonoring his word, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for deep healing, and a community to care for him.  Quinn was  also personally his mentor, provider, counselor, advisor, and has also literally saved his life physically, and emotionally on many occasions.  This homeless man remarked nearly daily that the @gardenofeden was the best place he had ever been.

Children most often also feel this is the best place they have ever been.  Parents have an incredibly difficult time getting their kids to leave, as the kids can feel the freedom, love, honor and respect that his held in this environment.  Most have never been more free in their lives, and they are generally more ready and open for a life of freedom than their parents are since carrying around fewer years of indoctrination and detrimental life experiences.

Regardless of why people come, or how ready they think they are, the magnitude of it all is always an adjustment.  We set an example that is such a ginormous contrast to that which most people live, that it can be difficult to accurately tune into what is really happening here.

The experience is different for everyone, and depends greatly upon one’s ability to look at themselves, live honorably, truthfully, genuinely, and take responsibility for one’s own experience.  Everyone creates their own reality, and in a highly conscious environment that exists at the @gardenofeden, there is no place to hide from the self.  

One’s beauty and ugliness will be seen,

as was undeniably exhibited by a very troubled man with a knife.
Old habits die hard, and even after months of attention, care, and assistance,
life's traumas still came back to haunt him.

Which goes to show, one can never truly help someone
who is not willing to help themselves.

If you have not yet looked at our website, I’m sure you will find it an interesting read.  You will likely see why our cutting-edge ways are shaking up the men with guns, though we feel is the answer to many of the evils of life, giving hope for a brighter future for us all. 

www.intothegardenofeden.com

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And check out this post written from the heart by a man halfway across the world, @emmakkayluv, who has written a tribute to @quinneaker, though he has never personally met him, but is pure enough of heart to feel him.