ten lessons i have learned

10. people come in and out of your life and that isn't necessarily a bad thing. i like to think of people coming together like balls on a pool table. you make contact and bounce off each other in new directions with a revived energy.

9. if these people truly touched your life a part of them will stay with you always

8. in general everything you read, hear or see in the media should be taken with a grain of salt. all sources are coloured with a degree of bias. the best approach is to simply absorb like the proverbial sponge from as many sources as possible and assimilate the information into your own opinions

7. you can travel far away but you can't move away from yourself. the escape mentatility really only provides a temporary distraction but if the getaway is spurred by an inherent belief that the grass is greener it may be more prudent to look within yourself

6. venturing out on your path is more satisfying when you maintain connections with the truly important people. these relationships don't just maintain themselves, they require nuturing.

5. there is a degree off inevitability and uncontrollability in life. recognizing these situations is important because it means you can focus on the things that are changeable and truly important

4. we all have our unique gifts and there is no weakness in the admission that there are certain things at which you don't excel

3. you can actually go back, but only if you don't expect nothing to have changed

2. experiences in life are better enjoyed when you are taking care of yourself physically and emotionally

1. travel and adventure adds seasoning to life but there is something to be relished in the stability of routine as well