A year in review

In 2012 I stepped away from the comfortable and stable ground of my life to travel to Australia, where I lived for ten months, as well as New Zealand and Bali. Here's what I learned about myself and life (in no particular order).

I am extremely fortunate.
I see the world differently and not always in a positive light.

I learned a lot, more than I realize. I know a little more of what I didn’t know but there's so much more to learn.

I can push myself further mentally (7 days a week and sometimes 12 hours a day) and physically (riding 20 minutes every day up a 45 degree hill often in 30+C heat and swimming laps in a 50 metre pool)

I am learning to meditate and reaping the benefits.

We truly live in a global world.
You can go far away but you never leave yourself behind.

People are generous and kind, especially those who have little.

I have deep seated prejudices I am addressing.

I can live on little, and with little, and enjoy it.

My family is extremely important to me.

I have trouble parting with some things.

I like to write (and need to keep up the habit of doing it every day).

Age is all in your head.

I don’t value money the way I used to and feel freer with less.

I like being on my own (but not always alone).

I could live in Australia. It is a magnificently beautiful, wild and diverse country.

I enjoy being around Australians. In general they are relaxed, friendly, patient, funny, irreverent, self-effacing, patriotic, adventuresome and clever people.

The phrase that sums up Australia for me is ‘no worries mate’.

I enjoy the odd beverage more (than when I left Canada) and will miss Australian wine and cider.

I loved surfing and if I lived in Australia I would buy a surf board.
The weather is usually a minor detail in life.

The blog, and the odyssey, will continue on this side of the world as I continue to step off the edge. 
 Happy 2013!