This summer I took off again to Greece for 4 weeks to go visit family, clear my head, and go sailing. This was quite a change of pace, and while sailing a traditionally rigged schooner is not exactly time out, the amount of time I had to simply lounge, sit in the sun, think was a dramatic change of pace from my life in Canada. The trip was fantastic, and we visited some beautiful islands. More importantly though, I really spent a lot of time thinking, pondering, and making some important life decisions. I've been very consistently happy lately, and a lot of my lounging and thinking was trying to figure out why, so...
Top 3 Things I Realized About My Happiness While On A Sailboat In The Mediteranean:
1. I have found my home. I spent the greater part of my 20's thinking to find a place I would feel was really home I would have to look elsewhere, and that Canada and the island was just a stepping stone. Somewhere along the way I found what I was looking for, and conveniently enough it's right here.
2. I love doing things for others. Outdoor Vanisle started as a simple idea, to try to fill the missing gap of an open community for outdoor enthusiasts on the island. Seeing it succeed, and seeing new people show up and meet new friends, try new activities, and just have fun being part of the community that has sprung up is really cool. Knowing that the effort put in is benefiting a group of fantastic people is very fulfilling, and I thank everyone for being a part of this and making it what it is! There is some neat stuff in the works, too :)
3. I have fantastic friends, new and old. A lot of life is shaped by who you spend it with, and I am fortunate enough to be surrounded be some truly excellent people who I am able to learn from and share my life with. Thank you, all of you. To those who I see often, those I don't, and those who are no longer on this earth.
Now that I'm back it's full speed ahead into the fall, I'm very much looking forward to the next year!
I've been reflecting on the last year and it's really struck me just how incredible it's been. a bit over a year ago I promised myself I was going to identify what was important to me and actively peruse it, and once I started it took on a life of it's own.
