The Journey

It's often said that all great journeys begin with one step. Rarely mentioned, however, is the fact that that one step may be in any direction. Most of us begin by stepping forward, but sometimes it becomes more productive to move in another direction. Taking a lateral step allows us to view our path from a different perspective, and this can make all the difference as to how we proceed. Even stepping backwards has its advantages, for the best way to know where we'll end up is to sense where we've been. This choice is especially valuable for those who have neglected to fully prepare for the journey.

In the end, no one will remember how many steps you've taken. Instead, the success of any journey may be judged by three important qualities. The first of these characteristics is your destination. It is not so important to end up where you planned as it is to end up where you feel most comfortable. Second, your condition at arrival is also significant. The best destination is no better than an average one if you are in no capacity to enjoy its benefits.

The third quality, however, is by far the most important. Neither your desination nor your condition will be as important as the things you've brought with you. For some journies this will include only experience and memory... but these "trifles" are the only things of which we can never be divested. And for those friends, family, lovers, pets, and other acquaintances we've invited along, we do so with the understanding that, for the truest of them, what matters is not where we are but where they are. In this way, we are defined by what we retain and by what we release.

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While it is tempting in my first post to summarize my identity and life story here for you, I find that it is more rewarding for the reader - if he is so inclined - to piece together this information for himself. I have no illusions about this column other than I hope that the reader will obtain some level of enjoyment out of it. By the same token, I see no reason to limit myself to any particular topic considering I have no idea where this project will take me. All the same, I'll try to keep things interesting for you.

In the meantime, I hope that this journal of a journey takes you wherever you want to go.