For Christmas in 2003, a friend gave me a low-end (yet more than adequate) GPS receiver. I had been talking about wanting to get into this new geeky outdoor hobby called geocaching, but the cost of even a low-end GPS receiver was more than I could manage at the time. She took pity on me, and it has been a gift that keeps on giving.
Over the years since then, my enthusiasm has waned as the availability of accessible and not-found-by-me caches dwindled in my area. Also, other projects began consuming my "free" time, such as writing for Blogcritics, and it became more difficult for me to find the energy and time to get out into nature and hunt for elusive cache containers. However, I have since relocated, and after reading Jeannette Cézanne's book, Open Your Heart With Geocaching, I have a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation for the game.
The Open Your Heart series of books by DreamTime Publishing was started by Meg Bertini as a means of exploring a variety of interests and hobbies in a way that would connect individuals to the world around them and allow for deeper spiritual meaning. The series includes other topics such as specific sports, fine arts, pets, and other common activities. Judging by the submission guidelines, it looks like anyone who can write passionately and authoritatively about their interests and has a proficient grasp of basic grammar rules has a good chance of having their proposal accepted for publication, so it may be worth keeping a eye out for future titles in the series.
At first I scoffed at the idea that a game/hobby that uses high-tech satellites to find cheap plastic containers could also be a spiritual or centering activity. My experience with serious geocachers so far has made the activity more of a competition (both with others and with oneself) than anything that could enhance ones mental and spiritual wellbeing. However, I tried to set aside my prejudices and read the book for what it is, and I found myself surprised to realize that by the end, it had changed my outlook on geocaching.
Article comments
1 - Geocaching Online
Thanks for the review. It sounds like an interesting read and a great opportunity for those not yet involved with Geocaching to start. As a side, we have been invilved with Geocaching for almost a year and we love it!
2 - Natalie Bennett
This article has been selected for syndication to Advance.net , which is affiliated with newspapers around the United States, and to Boston.com. Nice work!