Along my journey I’ve met many people who’ve made non-economic choices. All are glad in their decision. But none have made such bold personal choices as Victoria Everett. Unlike young people who move to a preferred location or pursue an arcane passion without direct responsibility to others, or older people who spread their wings after conventional family and careers, Victoria is a middle-aged woman with an infant who left everything behind and struck out on a new life.

In November of 2006 Victoria was a 34-year-old Idaho native and mother of three middle school children. She weighed 250 pounds. “I could barely get out of bed. Doctors just gave me more pills. I prayed to the universe and it gave me a message through TV. I woke up one night during an infomercial for a food book. I bought it. That’s where I was.”

In one year Victoria lost 120 pounds through diet and exercise. She parented her three children to independence. “Everything I had was in Boise; my cleaning business and my family. But I was done with winter. It didn’t bother me when I was fat, but it did when I was thin. I decided to move south. Two years ago, I picked Austin. But when I got there I couldn’t afford it, so I moved to Rockdale. I love it here.”

Since leaving Idaho, Victoria has put her life in the hands of the universe and the universe has provided well. She arrived in Rockland pregnant, with a teenage daughter, and no job. Within months she found community and sustenance. “Seven people participated in the birth of my daughter. After she was born, I was very weak. A man from France I had met stayed with us for two months while I recuperated.”

Victoria is a micro entrepreneur with a baby in tow. She works in a greenhouse where she recently earned a partner share. She is also a housekeeping companion for an elderly man in Round Rock. She rents out her spare room through AirBNB. She is a fruitarian who grows produce in her backyard. She makes kale chips to sell at the local farmers market. Victoria is also a devotee of inspirational speaker and author Esther Hicks. “All you need to do is manifest money and money is there. I do what I like, I grow plants and I care for my baby. I am confident that money will come.

“I follow my heart and the doors open. I’m leading a life without resistance. I allow myself to get angry now. Yesterday, I wasn’t taking such good care of myself. I was talking to my mom on the phone and she was complaining about minimum wage, but not doing anything about it. I realized the conversation wasn’t healthy. I hit the button and it was nice and quiet.

“All beliefs are true to the believer. However we can change our beliefs and have new truths. But some truths are fixed. I don’t worry about Monsanto or Dow because they’re going against Mother Nature. I believe the laws of nature are infallible and cannot be changed. That’s why Monsanto can’t win.”

Victoria has a puzzle table set up in her living room. “I like puzzles because the answer is right in front of me. I just have to find it.”

How will we live tomorrow?

“I can only say about me. The 9-to-5-work thing is not working for people. I follow my heart. I live my passions. I am going to trust that I will have everything I need. I am going to live my life in love and compassion, which is so much easier when you are happy.

“I am 44. I want to live a traveling life with the baby. That’s the way I’m going to raise her.”