Mantra

I am a modern-day nomad.  I have no permanent address, no possessions except the ones I carry, and I rarely know where I’ll be in six months from now.  Floating through this world, in search of truth; for myself, the state of the planet, and the billions of people who share this precious space tangled in the many Gods they glorify.  Armed with peace and perseverance, I move through this miraculous world without a master plan.  Guided by instinct, connected through trust and consistently watching for serendipitous opportunities, I share most steps with a fascinating man who pushes me to the limits, and then 100km beyond.  Someone who shares the same unique sense of adventure, compassion and concern for this ever changing planet, he relates to all situation, religions and tribes.

Along with the natural world, people are my passion.  When I go somewhere I settle in with the locals long enough to share the minutes of their days, to know the seasons of their lives and to be trusted with their ancient secrets.  I have lived with minority families in bamboo huts, slept in their gilded palace, worshiped deceased loved ones at cremation ceremonies and held their children as my own.

I share a cherished belief that there can be unity in diversity as we all breathe the same air, share the same sky and walk the same Earth as a single human family. 

Looking around at all of the opportunities that lay before me as a young woman in the first world, it’s as clear as the Tasman Sea that we are all connected, and there has got to be more than one way to do life.

Together through 29 countries in four and a half years, we circled the globe ripening our vocabulary, expanding our minds, testing the limits of patience and true devotion.  On a frigid Canadian morning in early February 2007 we set out on a quest...and never did we fully return.  Our only Mantra, the only rule for that matter was simple, though at times the message could seem quite complicated:

IN THE END WHAT MATTERS MOST
How well did you live
How well did you love
How well did you learn to let go