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It’s been a little over a week since my last post, so it’s definitely long overdue. And a little forewarning…it will be a bigger post with a lot of rambling. The first thing I need to touch on is something that has been on my mind in a big way over the last week or so. Last weekend I took the time to read an amazing little book called “Tuesdays With Morrie.” I’m sure many of you have heard of it and some of you may not have but it most definitely had a huge impact on me. This was based on a true story of an old man who lived a vivacious life, full of curiosity, love and a thirst for something deeper. He is a life-long professor and reconnects with a younger man who is a former student. In the last weeks of Morrie’s life, he shares with the student the most important life lessons he has gained and held on to over his life.

To sit here and type out all of the ideas that touched me and caused me to pause and think would take all night. If I were to do that, I might as well type out the entire book for you to read off of my blog. However, the following were some of the biggest lessons that struck me:

- Love each other or perish. (It’s a simple concept that anyone can understand.)
- Dying is one thing to be sad over, but living unhappily is something else entirely.
- The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. You have to be strong enough to say that if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it.
- Love is the only rational act.
- “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

I hope that you all get a chance to experience this story and learn of these lessons.

It goes without saying that this book caused me to take a long hard look at myself. This book was passed on to me from a friend because she recognized that it’s been a year of huge change for me thus far…mostly in the last couple of months really. And in a lot of ways, the concepts examined in the book solidified what I’d been thinking. I’ve begun to realize what I really value in life and realize what’s truly important to me. I want to stay connected to my roots, connected to my family and connected to my true friends. Connected to who I really am. I’ve felt the need to be a kinder person; a more tolerant person.

An idea I’ve been entertainining over the last couple of months is moving to Victoria next year once I have more legal experience under my belt, so to speak. I was born and raised on the Island and that’s where my heart is. And to me it only makes sense to put myself in a place that’s surrounded by the things I value. Designer goods and trips to New York seem so incredibly unimportant to me now. I’ve dreamed of New York ever since I was a little girl and as much as it scares me to oddly admit this, I couldn’t really care less if I ever go or not. The reality is, it’s not important. I desire a settled life on the Island, hopefully a house and big, cuddly and playful dog (preferrably a Tibetan mastiff - they’re completely me). Family is huge for me and though I’m not really ready to start my own, when I am, I want to start one with someone who values the same things that I do and wants the same kind of life that I do. I have no idea what this next year and a bit holds for me, let alone the rest of my life, but I am thrilled and excited at the direction it seems to be heading. But most importantly, I feel peace inside about it all.

Speaking of friends and family, I just spent an amazing weekend with my Aunt here in Vancouver. It was her first time in Vancouver in a very, very, very long time, so we did the whole “tourist thing.” For two days we rode around in sightseeing buses, learning new things about Vancouver, basking in the warm sunshine, we visited the Vancouver Aquarium and took a little stroll through Stanley Park, spent some time getting lost in Gastown and had an amazing dinner at the Water Street Cafe, watched a few movies, had a fun-filled afternoon on Granville Island, discovered a native art gallery that completely overwhelmed me in so many ways, cooked up a delicious meal (of maui ribs, crisp salad and fresh-baked bread), and so much more. Mostly it was just good to spend time with someone who means a lot to me. It’s important to treasure family.

And on that note, I definitely can’t wait to get back home in August…

P.S. Brock, I hear UVIC has a really great Masters program for dental.

You’re lisetning to: “Hands” by Jewel.