Off the rails, but back on track

It's been an amazing couple of weeks. You'll be hearing a lot about this, but I just had an incredible journey, travelling from Toronto, to Vancouver, to Toronto, to Halifax, and back by train.

There's a lot to say and a lot to think about, and I can't possibly share it all at once. What I will say here, and now, is that I emerged reinvigorated, and with a renewed sense of purpose.

I did not, as I had thought I might, emerge with "the answer." Instead, I had a subtle little epiphany that allowed me to let go of many questions, and I'm starting to realize that's even better.

I did not emerge, as I had thought I might, with a new vision, or a new plan. Instead, I got a nice fresh look at the plan I've been putting in place for some time now, and was reminded how worthy it is of all the effort I've put in.

I've managed to achieve many of the goals I set for myself when I came to Toronto - as a father, as a successful working creative person, as a musician and songwriter, and as a seeker after spirit. I knowingly took on too much over the last few years in order to establish my abilities in those many areas, so that I could ultimately make good choices that balanced my needs in all of them.

This trip allowed me, for the very first time, to be all the things I am, at once: writer, photographer, multi-media producer, and musician, on the professional side, but also father, philosopher, and friend on the personal and spiritual side.

I got a little certificate for riding The Canadian both east and west. I might just frame it and put it up with my diplomas. That's how much I learned, and that's how much it was worth to me.