October, 2023  IN THE MDIDLE OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN -- 33, 56.42 N and 143, 53.90.W

 

Getting the chance to recharge my battery, spend much needed time with family while exploring the world. If you run those coordinates you’ll see that quite literally I’m in the middle of nowhere.

 

Somewhere between Vancouver British Columbia and Hawaii, I’m seeing the sun on the waves for the first time in four days. Just whispy clouds overhead and the bluest of ocean as far as I can see.

 

In the midst of this desolate scene the past two mornings I have been greeted by a bird. Mind you, we are thousands of miles from land, so this bird is quite the adventurer. My assumption is this flying companion is a stowaway on our ship, who like the passengers onboard wakes up hungry. Instead of heading to deck 9, they stretch out there wings and look for breakfast in the waters just off the side of the ship.

 

I’m probably reading more into it than the bird has, but what an adventure. A single white bird decides to rest on the high towers of the ship in Canada and before he or she knows it, they’re in Hawaii.

 

My declaration of going on an adventure pales in comparison. My bird companion’s relocation effort reminds me of my ancestors that gave up a life they knew, jumped on a boat and sailed to the United States. Leaving behind the life they knew, family they loved for the opportunity to pursue happiness. Never a promise of, merely the opportunity to try to achieve a better life.

 

The white bird that greets me each morning has a chance of a new life in Hawaii a few days from now just like my family did more than 150 years ago leaving the Netherlands for Detroit, Michigan. To succeed, they had to adapt, learn new skills and continuous improvement of the skills already acquired.

 

If I’ve done anything well in my career, I’d like to think that I’ve continued to learn, adapt and change as needed. That goes for personal and professional growth. And that is what the website chronicles, my personal growth. Thanks for stopping by - please reach out to me if any of the topics covered resonate with you.