I focused on achievement, innovation, endurance and hard work- in order to feel appreciated and valued. Now I look on with the same judging eyes. What a horrible lens for life; to assert comparative value based on such efforts. Life people should be appreciated and valued inherently.

While re-evaluating my value system, how important it is to have such an appreciation an understanding for life, optimism and passion for life.The people I have always been attracted to, those that bring light into my life, are those frolicking happy souls, who enjoy life inherently. If you are gifted with an appreciation for life, both your own & those around you, a repressed part of humanity shines on from your very character.

I believe I struggle as I do and am given the talents I have to serve those, to cherish protect and spread those messages and seeds of compassion wherever I may roam.

I am in awe of those who have mastered the compassionate side of their humanity, it is like watching a child chase a butterfly, wondrous. I suppose I chase them, twin fish and dragonfly & am careful not to stick them in jars but just enjoy as long as I can before they fly away.

Perhaps I am the last fervent follower of ancient history, echoing a dead religion, but something so centered in life cannot die. To call such a thing dead is to claim a death of our humanity. Is this so? Or is there a revival of life under a rock I have yet to turn? Tomorrow I climb a mountain, perhaps I’ll find it up there on Mt. Rose. I am often the over eager adventurer and champion of ambition.

My place is not with the majority; to dwell in fear, doubt, and relentless suffering. My place is with the few, compassionate, optimistic & wonderful. Everyone wants to Be happy, yet so many think that it exists outside themselves as if tangible thing symbolized by an object. In the hustle and bustle of the pursuit they forget to look within for happiness and struggle with themselves and suffer greatly for it.

On my adventures, I expect to find no one, no thing greater or less than a piece of myself, a little more awareness, and a few good ideas. I pray and hope to find people and tools that will enrich my life. Though I don’t expect them, they are the treasures and most welcome gifts.

Take it from the guy who looked long and hard everywhere else first- happiness and truth come from the same place- self. A simple bumper sticker I know, but those of us who have found it, and know it, can say nothing beyond that statement. I’m not a crazy hippie, just a happy young man ripe with hope & ambition. Plenty I’ve seen, many I miss, many more I long to discover.