Now

For someone who said it didn't feel like this is over, I've sure been lacking in words. It's been almost two weeks since I've written, and that's almost entirely, in my personal journal even. That's the longest I've gone without writing for an entire year. By a lot.

The anniversary of my March 18 departure has come and gone and I'm incredibly happy that despite an intense amount of anxiety about coming home, I am actually incredibly happy to be here. In fact, I'm happier in Calgary now than I've ever been before. I know now, especially after the last few weeks which have been full of emotional growing pains, that life has to be appreciated no matter what or where you are. Though I don't necessarily see this as the place I'll be living for much longer, I am devoted to loving every minute that I do spend here. Actually, I'm devoted to loving every minute that I spend anywhere.

I've been reading Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" and quite literally it's been blowing my mind. One passage in particular has given me incredible strength and clarity about how to avoid the pitfalls of unhappiness. "All negativity is caused by an accumulation of psychological time and denial of the present. Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry - all forms of fear - are caused by too much future - and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past - and not enough presence."

So instead of wishing I was still on the road volunteering abroad, or daydreaming about the future to come in Switzerland, I'm focused on being present. I'm being grateful for a memorable past and a very promising future, but learning to live in the moment, even within the stability of a routined life. I'm filling my days with all sorts of cool activities and opportunities.

Like volunteering preparing meals at the homeless shelter with my Dad....


And meeting the honourable Governor-General David Johnston while building for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.


My life is incredible, and for the first time, I'm believing that in a place where I didn't think I'd ever really be able to appreciate it to its fullest. That's pretty awesome.

Location:Calgary, Canada

It Can't Be Over

It feels sort of incomplete. For months now I've known that I was approaching coming home, known that at some point I'd end my travels and get back into a life of stability, routine and working for actual money. Now that I'm here though, and already quasi-settled into this life, I can see how much of a journey I still have yet to travel.

I set out a year ago to change the world, but I come back having changed myself more than anything else. Being back in a familiar world, with an eerie sense of unfamiliarity, I can see more clearly how profound those changes really are. I can see too, just how much I'm continuing to change and somewhat unnervingly, how much more I need to.

Now that I've stopped moving, geographically at least, but certainly not emotionally, it seems as if this chapter of my life is complete, and perhaps also this chronicling of it should be. All things must come to an end I guess and I suppose a part of life is learning how to be ok with that. For so long though, this has been as much a part of my life as anything else. In fact, in some ways, it's been more a part of my life than anything else. Across 8 countries, 4 continents and 12 months, it's been about the only thing I've constantly had with me. I don't really know how to say good-bye. So for now, as long as it still feels like I have things to say, I won't.

The journey isn't over. It sort of feels like it's only just begun.

Location:Calgary, Canada

Thank You

I am so grateful to all the citizens of the world for welcoming me into their homes and into their lives. For those that I've met while traveling, thank you for being a part of the journey and for giving my life so much meaning. And to those that have followed me from afar, thank you for caring enough to listen to my words and for giving the incredible organizations with whom I've partnered this last year the attention they deserve. Without the love and support of friends new and old, none of this would have been possible or even half as incredible, so from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Location:Calgary, Canada

Lesson 10: Home Sweet Home

Of course, coming home has lessons of its own. Reverse culture shock, coupled with a return to stability and the end of my volunteer adventure, is somewhat akin to hitting a brick wall. My wisest friends have said, "don't look at going home as the end of a dream, see it as the next chapter in the incredible book of your life" and reminded me that "just because you have to go home doesn't mean you have to stop living life exactly as you are now - with passion and wonder." With that spirit in mind, I am going to spend the next few months embracing life in this beautiful (and incredibly snowy) country my friends like to call Canadia. It's a bit cliche to say, but life is what you make it, so take responsibility and make it a good one.

Location:Calgary, Canada

Lesson 9: Three Hundred and Fifty-Five Days Later

Though each country I've visited has taught me countless lessons, it is incredible to me, upon review, how for each there was a crystal clear message that themed my time on a larger scale. When I look at back at the bigger picture, of life across the globe, in different countries, climates, cultures, languages and lifestyles, I cannot help but notice that deep down, we are all the same. We all have pretty much the same wants, needs and desires and the things that haunt us, make us weak and tear us apart are not really so different. Knowing that, it amazes me that so much hatred exists in the world. We may all have different goals, but we're all seeking happiness, so no matter what yours are....chase after them with humanity.