Now

For someone who said it didn't feel like this is over, I've sure been lacking in words. It's been almost two weeks since I've written, and that's almost entirely, in my personal journal even. That's the longest I've gone without writing for an entire year. By a lot.

The anniversary of my March 18 departure has come and gone and I'm incredibly happy that despite an intense amount of anxiety about coming home, I am actually incredibly happy to be here. In fact, I'm happier in Calgary now than I've ever been before. I know now, especially after the last few weeks which have been full of emotional growing pains, that life has to be appreciated no matter what or where you are. Though I don't necessarily see this as the place I'll be living for much longer, I am devoted to loving every minute that I do spend here. Actually, I'm devoted to loving every minute that I spend anywhere.

I've been reading Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" and quite literally it's been blowing my mind. One passage in particular has given me incredible strength and clarity about how to avoid the pitfalls of unhappiness. "All negativity is caused by an accumulation of psychological time and denial of the present. Unease, anxiety, tension, stress, worry - all forms of fear - are caused by too much future - and not enough presence. Guilt, regret, resentment, grievances, sadness, bitterness, and all forms of nonforgiveness are caused by too much past - and not enough presence."

So instead of wishing I was still on the road volunteering abroad, or daydreaming about the future to come in Switzerland, I'm focused on being present. I'm being grateful for a memorable past and a very promising future, but learning to live in the moment, even within the stability of a routined life. I'm filling my days with all sorts of cool activities and opportunities.

Like volunteering preparing meals at the homeless shelter with my Dad....


And meeting the honourable Governor-General David Johnston while building for Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.


My life is incredible, and for the first time, I'm believing that in a place where I didn't think I'd ever really be able to appreciate it to its fullest. That's pretty awesome.

Location:Calgary, Canada