Our first few weeks at the Ranch have been exciting, challenging, and informative. My sweetheart and I have taken on a number of adventures over the past 47 years together. Each time we have sought confirmation, even inspiration, before making the leap into whatever we were contemplating. Without exception, as we began a new adventure, it was with both excitement and trepidation. There is always the unknown in doing something new. There have always been those family and friends that thought we were out of our minds and yet others who lauded us with cheers and wishes for our success.
All of our experiences, including our adventure here at the Ranch, have been filled with challenges. Planning and hard work are essential for any successful, worthwhile quest. But experience over the decades has proven that challenges will arise from the unknown and other uncontrolled elements, whether they originate from circumstances or from people. We have found that one’s perception of these challenges often determines the outcome. What I mean by that is a challenge can be perceived as an insurmountable barrier or just an impediment that needs to be dealt with.
In all fairness, sometimes we choose to look at a challenge as insurmountable because we just don’t want to deal with it; however, if we have a clear determination that we must resolve the problem because any other outcome is not acceptable, we will find a way.
There are currently twelve plus families and individuals that are living here at the Ranch full or part-time. These past several weeks have given me opportunities to see how these families and individuals meet challenges. Some of these trials have been and some continue to be daunting. These new neighbors of mine are proving to be filled with a true pioneering spirit. They have the determination needed to forge ahead, meeting, and resolving the challenges that come with creating places of safety and security.
In the days ahead there will be those that perceive the challenges to be too great to overcome in creating places of safety and security. However, I am fortunate to be surrounded by those that have a vision of a better and brighter tomorrow that will be achieved by meeting and solving the challenges that arise from making a change from a lifestyle of dependency to a culture of self-reliance.
OSR continues to attract those that have the vision, the desire, and willingness to participate in the adventure of a lifetime - building a place of safety and security in a community with self-reliant, like-minded neighbors. If you have a desire to meet the challenges found in this great work and want to enjoy the rewards of such a community, we extend our invitation to you.
God Speed,
Philip J. Gleason
Director
