I am excited for what tomorrow will hold.  I am excited about the places I will go.  For you see it is time to embrace new ideas, thoughts, and memories.  There is something to be said about the experience of becoming a better you by being stretched, molded and inspired by those precious gems of society called teachers.

The learning process is most definately a journey to not be under taken lightly.  You never really know where you will end up going.    The journey is not to an actually physical place but a place of understanding about yourself and others.  The task of learning a skill to be used, a nugget of insightful knowledge, and unknown abilities to be mastered is quite the thing to be strived for.

Last week, I made a bold decision to return to school full time this fall while working full time as well.  Growing tired of chasing my educational goals at the pace I have for the last few years I figured why not just jump in to it.  The plan has been in my head for several years of various paths to follow each building on the other.

I know school may not be for everyone but the joy of learning can be.  Find that thing that fires you deep within your soul and discover all you can about it through people, through books and through experiences.  And for those who are trying to make it to that first class tomorrow morning after the long summer days away just remeber that it will take you to some amazing places some day soon.

Anybody who ever built an empire, or changed the world, sat where you are now. And it’s *because* they sat there that they were able to do it.

This quote from “Up In The Air” has been bouncing around my head from the moment I heard it. Now I do admit the first time I saw this movie I was in a “honeymoon” state of mind which nothing would have not made me think (I was on a plane while watching it coming back from a month in Vancouver watching the Olympics, like I said honeymoon).

The other day I rewatched “Up in the Air” and that quote stood out again to me.  Think about that quote.  What empires or changes to the world are you destined to be a part of.  Thinking about the futrue prospects, dreams, or moments of 23 Secounds and how those circumstances you are currently experiencing will bring them about is a rather enlighting experience.

Vancouver
Experience the Games to their fullest
Share those experiences through chasingdreams.ca, a book, and speaking engagements

Definitely experienced the games!!!  The blog was very successful.  I wrote the book which has been well received and has challenged many to find what they are meant to do for “23 Seconds” of their own lives.  I have had the privilege of speaking a few times about the trip in a formal settings as well have had my photos on display for the summer at the ST. Thomas Public Library

Pursue Thought Provoking Challenges
I want to end the year having grown through various challenges (no point in doing stuff I already can do) and be stretched in different manners of reflection and thought.  I think so on this one.  Will need the rest of the year to put the thoughts in to a better context.  Seen some intriguing sites, heard some inspiring stories, tasted some inviting wines.

Academically
Finish off Career Counseling program by taking last 2 courses Just Finished one signed up for last one to start in the fall
Write the CHRP exam Passed it in May First try
Enroll in the program (Adult Education BEd)at Brock in Sept Maybe January maybe pursue something different

Be in a position to buy a house in 2011 – This also could be move my van down by the river as well Well this one was rather bold but the goal of end of 2011 could be on the table

Find true love “This is true love – you think this happens every day?” – Westley
“Sonny, true love is the greatest thing, in the world-except for a nice MLT – mutton, lettuce and tomato sandwich, where the mutton is nice and lean and the tomato is ripe they’re so perky, I love that.” – Miracle Max

Continue in the process of maintaining a healthy life style and better mange a balance in life  I think I have found something closer to balance (at least improved from where it was at the end of 2009) Healthy life style, umm i think we are going to push this to 2011

Develop deeper relationships with the people in my life  I think I have been more intentional with prioritizing more time with people. This is a sliding scale which we all can always do much better at myself included.

Win my fantasy baseball league Sitting 3rd by using an odd strategy, shall see if I can gain the grown in the next 6 weeks and win it.  Did win hockey league though with the help of my buddy Anthony (oh yeah congrats to Anthony on getting married this past weekend)

Check off a few more ball parks off the list  Not this year but next for sure

See something breath taking Will wait to make a decision on this one.  Have a few candidates (and no not to run island) but want to see what the rest of the year has to offer.

and  Say What I Need to Say

I planned each charted course
Each careful step along the byway
And more, much more than this
I did it my way

Yes there were times I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out, I faced it all
And I stood tall and did it my way

(Ok so I am seeing a Rat Pack tribute band next week. I have always liked the Chairman of the Board and who else better to quote)

Plus whatever else I come with from here on out.
Carpe Diem

The thing I have most identified as an attribute about myself is a complete unwillingness to settle for the “status quo”.  I don’t believe in making changes for change sake but I do feel that we are meant to strive to be the best versions of ourselves.  I was talking with my roommate Adam about this the other day and we came up with the idea that  I can be that supportive, encouraging person when it is needed or I can be the one who kicks you in the pants but it is my willingness to do what it takes to bring out the best in someone that is a great strength of mine.

With that being said I guess I am just trying to wrap my head around how to describe what it is that I am able to do well.  This would be the very heart of a consulting business I am exploring starting up.

What I need now is clarity on how to describe this to perspective clients.  Anyways as I try to figure out how I could use this skill to work in the context of my own consulting business I was wondering if you could tell me how you would describe what is my greatest strength.  I assume if you are a follower of chasingdreams.ca you know me well enough to add some input in to this thought process I am involved with so please do.

So what do all these people have in common.  I will get to that later.

Well I have been doing some thinking about my own dreams and what it will take to get to them.  Currently I am a student working on getting some skills I think are important to make the next step in the process.  I do believe that any time you have an opportunity to learn, be it in an academic setting or from the school of life you must embrace those moments.

A story that relates to where I am going with this.   During “Return of the King” Arogon is told to set aside the ranger embrace his true self as King of Gondor.  The role of king was both a right because of birth and also the time spent developing the necessary abilities to be king.

My wrestle really comes to the need to feel qualified through vast knowledge vs passion to accomplish some major tasks.  Does anyone else wrestle with this one?  The truth is everyone wrestles with the fear of the unknown.  It’s funny I have been going through the photos I took at the games in preparation for a photo exhibit at the St. Thomas Public Library (which I am thrilled for) and I was flooded with so many great memories.  From one little step of buying a one way ticket to Vancouver (which Adam reminded me scared me something fierce) has led to photos on the front page of the news paper, creation of my book 23 Seconds, to the photo exhibit.  It only took the first step of actually moving forward on a crazy adventure.  With all this said I am beginning to plan my next steps and let’s see what happens.

Oh what they have in common is that they either dropped out of high school or have no formal training in there chosen path just sheer desire.

I filled up the bbq 2 weeks ago.  I think I have had 10 meals so far from it.  I enjoy the fact that I can walk to Foodland and get something to throw on the bbq.  So far the selection has included ribs, chicken, pork chops, veal, steaks, sausages, squirrel, and of course hamburgers.  Anyways just wanted throw it out there bbq is the best way to make food.  I am going to try and make Kraft Dinner at some point this summer.  What is every one’s favorite bbq memory?

Within the last few weeks I have accomplished a few major things on my “List” for 2010.  First I wrote my CHRP (Canadian Human Resources Professional) exam.  I have always seen this as a required step in the journey of my career.  A few years ago, 2004, I decided I want to get in to Career Counseling.  I found this really interesting program at Conestoga College that I want to take.  I required some previous education so I decided having a foundational knowledge in HR would be of help in the future.  Anyways after 10 courses spread over many nights of night school from 2005-2009 I accomplished all the courses needed to write the certification exam.  I decided now was a good time to do it.

I began the studying process in about mid March.  What can I say nothing like getting back from Vancouver and jumping in to a massive project.  One down fall to this process was that I sold all my HR books to get to Vancouver (hey sacrifices needed to be made to accomplish that dream).  This definitely made the studding process fun.  As I went through my old notes I realized that the HR skills I have learned over the years are actually woven in to who I am.  My ability to think strategically when it comes to managing the skills and abilities of people is something I don’t really think about at all.  It felt good studying and realize I knew the content I was reviewing.

Secondly, I think I have become an author.  Okay I am a little unsure of a what point you are able to call yourself an author.  I wrote a book, published a book with an ISBN number, have it for sale in a retail location (107 Edward St., St. Thomas, Shoppers Drugmart) and sold at least 30 copies of the book.  The point it all the work in creating the book has led me to a much funnier place of being able to talk about my creative work and hearing feed back from people who have bought it.  Through out the process I just knew there were things that needed to be done to accomplish it and I  did them.  As I have been talking to other people I am beginning to realize that it is kind of a big deal to have written a book.  Who knew?

Did I ever tell you the story behind the naming of chasingdreams.ca.   I knew at the time I wanted to write a book about my olympic experiences and also wanted to write a blog to tell the story as it happened.  After several weeks of thinking up some sort of creative name for the website, I turned on my play list of favorite inspirational songs to brain storm a site name.  After listening for a while and not coming up with anything good, I looked at the play list name.  I had previously made this list when planning my first attempt at a trip out west.  Turns out I had named the play list Chasing Dreams.  Well I looked up if the site was available with the “.ca” (being Canadian I did want the Canadian domain).  And now you know the rest of the story.

The book is nearing completion.  Text is ready, Pictures are 95% there, and the overall vision is being accomplished. A few last tweaks and I will be putting up the information on ordering, book signings, and all that jazz.   The one little hang up is I have hit a wall with writer’s block.  I can’t come up with a title for the book.  I have a working subtitle “The Story of Chasing Dreams”.  But I am lacking the actually title.  I am rereading the blog and comment looking for a title.

So I thought I would throw it out there to see if any one has any ideas for a title for the book of my pictures and thoughts from the Winter Games?  Any ideas please feel free to post them.