Is this it?!

…Lots of changes in a changing world, makes it easier to embrace change…

…I started mentoring and coaching folks in marketing at AirTreks and BootsnAll

…I started a new position at AirTreks…Travel Servant. Learning a tonne, listening and helping travelers that are looking to transform themselves and family.

…Asset prices still look high to me, opportunities to buy into or invest in companies with a margin of error are not coming through my deal flow.

…I’m working with professionals to further learn and explore communication and perspective taking. I’ve dived deep in the Drama Triangle, and Empowerment Triangle and how it can come up in my personal and business life. Awareness of this has been super perspective changing.

…I struggle to relate to the main stream media and cultural conversation around dualistic thinking and perspectives.

…continuing to engage, learn, be humbled and have massive moments of love and joy as a single father of 3

…considering the math problem of carbon being burned by humans it vs stored in the earth. I’m considering it as a math problem. Not an if you agree or don’t agree issue as promoted via main stream media.

…The Travel Access Project won an award a few months ago that we did not apply for. Jenn and I and others continue to try to make a difference in people’s lives via gap year grants. We have learned that candidates outside of the USA make the $3000 per grants go a lot farther.

As always, please reach out if you want to talk about any of the above, or something related. Sending positive energy your way…

…started as part-time CFO of the BootsnAll Travel Network in beginning of 2018, while continuing as Chairman of BTN since Jan 2017

…started small scale farming, lots of learning and experimenting

…continue to work with The Wayfinding Academy in an effort to disrupt higher education. The 3rd cohort is starting this Fall. Lots of interesting challenges in starting a college from scratch.

…continue to work on the Travel Access Project in an effort to get a GAP year on every Resume. We are launching new products in 2018

…continue to explore investing in companies and a few start-ups that align with my purpose and core values. With asset prices so high the past few years, I’m not finding many value oriented ideas.

…continue to be actively involved in my 3 kids day to day lives at school/home. This summer we are exploring Oregon, Pennsylvania, doing another Family Camp, and being outside as much as possible without devices.

…continue to be highly involved/interact with people in the EO and YPO chapters in Oregon/Washington

…continue to practice meditation and movement in nature

…continue to meet with people over walk/talks and smoothies instead of sit down lunches/coffees. (Contact me if you want to join me)

…continue to read books and ideas and theories that challenge my current paradigm.

“Now the commencement speakers will typically also wish you good luck and extend good wishes to you. I will not do that, and I’ll tell you why. From time to time in the years to come, I hope you will be treated unfairly, so that you will come to know the value of justice. I hope that you will suffer betrayal because that will teach you the importance of loyalty. Sorry to say, but I hope you will be lonely from time to time so that you don’t take friends for granted. I wish you bad luck, again, from time to time so that you will be conscious of the role of chance in life and understand that your success is not completely deserved and that the failure of others is not completely deserved either. And when you lose, as you will from time to time, I hope every now and then, your opponent will gloat over your failure. It is a way for you to understand the importance of sportsmanship. I hope you’ll be ignored so you know the importance of listening to others, and I hope you will have just enough pain to learn compassion. Whether I wish these things or not, they’re going to happen. And whether you benefit from them or not will depend upon your ability to see the message in your misfortunes.”

Watch entire Speech or read transcript

Found this via Farnham Street, Mr Shane Parrish

A few ideas from Father Boyle’s talk (11 mins) are sticking with me

– Thoughts on not standing in judgement, but with
– The story of the Jose. (Watch on youtube here)
– His message was short, sweet and impactful. I cried while watching.
– What is it that I am leaving, and moving towards?

Sending positive thoughts to all folks in the world today.

I am no longer the CEO of AirTreks International, LLC. After 18 years of running the operational company for the AirTreks and BootsnAll brand, I have stepped away from day to day and am focusing on strategy as the Chairman.

I am working on building a strategic council for AirTreks/BootsnAll. Know someone that is super strategic, wants to disrupt the travel and education space and can is highly collaborative? – please contact me.

…continue to work with The Wayfinding Academy in an effort to disrupt higher education.

…continue to work on the Travel Access Project in an effort to get a GAP year on every Resume.

…continue to explore investing in companies and a few start-ups that align with my purpose and core values

…continue to be actively involved in my 3 kids day to day lives at school/home.

…continue to be highly involved/interact with people in the EO and YPO chapters in Oregon/Washington

…continue to practice meditation and movement in nature as much as possible.

I hope and wish that however you are investing your time in 2017, that it is worthwhile and provide you the joy that you seek.

Via Matthieu Ricard

1 – Don’t Worry, Be Happy
2 – Training for a Happy Life
3 – Find your Flame
4 – Happiness for All
5 – Be of Service

Full Article:
http://www.gq.com/story/happiest-man-in-the-world-matthieu-ricard

Scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the best) – my feelings are at this time, 2015 was a 9.17.

I look at the past, through rose colored glasses and forget or remember challenges as “fun” after the fact.

Just the other night, I was out to dinner with some travel industry folk. Another person said, “What a great time to be alive and human” – I could not agree more and have said this myself the past few years.

Before Christmas, I had a dinner with a group of super accomplished business folks and we all shared our highlights from the past year. Everyone’s highlights, including mine were of a personal/love/family nature.

I was stoked since all our accomplishments, pail in comparison to the feeling of being connected to our fellow humans. Maybe the word “love” could be a way to describe this feeling.

Yes, there is tragedy, suffering, and injustice in the world. There always has been.

I’m continuing to put my attention in the joy and love direction. I suspect what we give attention, grows.

Where is your attention in 2016?

About 40 locations around the globe that your travel dollar will take you farther.

US Dollar
Canadian Dollar
Euro Dollar
Australian Dollar

My colleagues researched these 4 articles looking for value in the context of currency fluctuations over time. You’ll see some of these destinations were more expensive just 12+ months ago. Some, have been value oriented for a long time and continue to be. Injoy.

Escape (in this context) = “a form of temporary distraction from reality or routine”

Perhaps things like Videos, Netflix, Movies and time when I can mentally zone out and not be engaged.

Discovery = “the act of finding or learning something for the first time”

This is an active process, and in my experience, I need to be engaged, to discover.

Perhaps the key differentiator between the two, is being engaged.

—–
Discover Over Escape

Even if you decided on traveling to escape a relationship, a job, or boredom you end up discovering something about yourself.
QUESTION 1:
What have you discovered about yourself in your travels? Did you start traveling for discovery or escape? Has your reasons for traveling changed over time?
QUESTION 2:
Why do you want to travel? Is it for escape, discovery, or both?