Its funny I have never been able to explain my feeling when I'm at work other than in the zone. I get grumpy when I haven't climbed in a few days and usually look forward to it. Even trees I dread put me in such a state of concentration on that moment that none of the other, many other, things in my life that cause me stress matter. Unfortunately I slowly come back to them during my commute from work to pick my son up at school. Then the escape is gone. I don't really know if it is even an escape. It's my mind operating on a different level than it usually does. Calmer, like an inner calm. Like a flow, unless there is a disruption in my world from a job site factor I cannot control like a bitching coworker or a fussy boss. I used to believe the fire department was my passion in life. I have reached a level there where I have reached my goals and am now faced with some boredom and a feeling of generally being unchallenged. I don't find that in tree work. Each task is the same but drastically different. It's me, my new identity. The inner tree dude. I have found peace in my work through some unspeakably difficult times in my recent life. I choose to do tree work. I certainly could stop working 2 jobs today and make it financially. I love to do it. It's my passion. I was once told by an older customer that he watched me work and watched my face as I worked. He called me a true professional at my craft. I asked him to explain. He said it wasn't the rigging, the climbing, the shiny gadgets......It was the look on my face and the purposeful movements of my hands and body. He said you just don't see workers who look like they love their craft. Not because they are smiling all day or have on a happy face but because of never frowning. Never smirking, never a look of failure or disappointment or boredom. It was truly the greatest compliment of my efforts I could ask for. A WWII era gentleman, retired from years of hard labor, who has seen more in his many years than I have begun to understand. I don't feel love, I don't feel vibrations, I'm not where JP or many of you are on this thread. I can tell you I feel something indescribable. I feel to put a name or a description on what I feel takes away from what it actually is. Whatever we choose to call it, it remains mine. It has seen me through dark times and inner turmoil. When I'm an old man I will remember how I felt and hopefully see it in a young person someday. I hope to have the clarity to pass on the thoughts when I do. This has turned into a pretty interesting conversation. Thanks, back to the shadows.........