The benefits of Idaho outweighed the losses however. I got to spend a lot more time with my family. Did things with friends, and was involved at church. I got to do various summer outdoor adventures that I had not been involved in for so many years. Over all, it was almost like it was before Alaska. But not. You can never get Alaska out of your blood once you have been here, and I was no exception. I missed it a lot, and yearned to be back in the wilderness, away from all the busyness of city life and work. I actually wanted the simple life at times, even though in Alaska that involved a lot more work for water, electricity, food, transportation etc. But after spending so many years with that ingrained in my blood, it was hard to be away from it.  So needless to say, when I was on my way back to Alaska, I was really excited. It took me a while though to get my mind off of Idaho, and switched to Alaska mode, but once we arrived in Anchorage with its crisp clean air, and long shopping lists, I was back in gear.

My stay in Anchorage was prolonged a bit longer due to the increasing amount of needed items, but it made for more time to get acquainted with some old and new friends, and also get some last city life things out of the way before heading to the bush. The real thrill officially arrived when I boarded that plane, and we took off heading for the mountains. It was a gorgeous day, not all that typical for Alaska, so I was extremely thankful for the blessing of good weather. The views were once again breathtaking. It felt like the first time, and like coming home, all mixed up into one great experience. We flew over the mountains filled with pure white snow, and enormous glaciers, that fed the numerous rivers and waterfalls so far below. The sun was nearly blinding us, but we did not care, it was the perfect day for entering the beauty of Lake Clark. After a quick stop in the village of Nondalton, we landed at Port Alsworth, and I stepped off the plane and soaked up the beauty and freshness all around and the familiar faces that I had missed so much.

I am now writing inside of our cabin, across the lake from Port Alsworth, in the fading light of long summer days, and realizing the correlation of my renewed experience in Alaska, and what should be taking place every day in my own life. Just as my vigor and amazement of my home in Alaska had almost faded into familiarity, I can see how I have allowed my love for God, and the amazing life he has blessed me with, begin to become commonplace, and no longer full of wonder and thankfulness. I have been given so much, and He has placed upon my shoulders such a big calling that I can never just take it for granted and go on living like its no big deal. Being saved from death, given eternal life with him, and a message that brings love and hope to broken hearts is such a privilege that I should never forget nor get used to. I need to go through every day, with a renewed passion and desire to serve God, love People, and be a light. Just as I am going to change my perspective on the natural things I have, I am going to start to see every new day as a fresh one, appreciating the small things, and love God as though it is the first time, and as though I am home, all mixed up into one. (Written this summer while in Alaska).

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But you may ask yourself, where did this motivation come from. Was it a random recollection of a past experience? Was it the longing for technological connection? Nay. Although both of those have tugged at the old strings one time or another. But no. It was a decision to read some blogs, to find out what other people had been saying, and sharing, and blogging. And I was impressed, intrigued, and inspired. And thus, came a motivation. I feel bad however that so many motivations are so easily lost. We get out of the moment and forget what it was that brought us to that point, and we get so caught up in the helter-skelter lives that so beset us along the road, that we become UN-motivated. And it seems to happen at this time of the year because it is a change of season, a change of pace, a back to school, and a fading of color in the leaves. However, that color in the leaves is replaced by an even brighter color, that shines and shimmers and brings joy when the air gets crisp. And it is so, with the reminder of the ease of motivation loss that I seek to persuade others to remember, to rekindle. What motivates you to action? Is it by seeing others accomplishing that strives you to do the same? Or is it the goal that you know will result from your efforts. Maybe it is the promise of change, and a better way that strikes a note inside of you. No matter what spells motivation for you, I pray that you will find it, no matter how deep it may hide itself from sight, know that it is there, and all we must do is re awaken it to a new dawn, that leads to a better morning of change.

My motivation came by way of others. Seeing their accomplishments, and art forms of sharing their view on life. Every piece so unique, so real, a look into their lives. A good example is my youth pastor’s wife, who writes of Creating Home Journal, which covers a broad but beautiful spectrum. I share the same passion for sharing. Although I have many experiences that I have been blessed with, I am still a man, who needs some motivation every now and again. Something that draws one to make something different than it currently is. Because if we allow ourselves to take the easy road all of the time, and just complain about how it should be different, or how we wish some thing would change, and not do anything about it, we are hypocrites and we stay stagnant in our lives. Any day that we are not working at being better at what we do, than we were the day before, we are not moving forward, we are back sliding. Which is not a good thing to do. And as a christian, I am growing in my relationship with God, but I can see where I have lost motivation, and begun to point at others and try to see their faults instead of mine, I am in need of some change emphasis inside. We cannot expect a different result when we keep doing the same thing.

So I guess now I have said my piece, done some writing for a change, (literally), and inspired to now take it to other areas. And I hope that you have been able to gain something from this random post. But I hope you got some motivation as well. To pick up something that may have been sitting for too long, untouched, but was nagging on you for your time and energy. So go out, and get motivated. And I look forward to seeing you back here again soon, as I walk out this motivation in written form.

Thanks for your time.

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It was a glorious reunion, because when you are away for extended periods of time, especially several months, you gain a much greater appreciation for people that are close to you. The Holiday season was already in full swing, and it took up most of my time, just catching up. My Grandparents from the far off land of Minnesota, and also my sister from New York, came for Christmas, and made the season that much more special. There was food, parties, and stories a plenty, and before I knew it ,the New Year rolled around. It was during that time that so many things changed. Our first black president was inaugurated, and the reign of the Obama began. The economy went through, and still is going through, a crazy up and down roller coaster, mostly down than up. The list goes on, and you all know these things happened and are happening, but we are the ones caught in the middle of it all, and we must ask ourselves, what are we going to do about change. We can chant the phrase, and promote the instigator, but what is it that we are doing to help it come about?

Now I do not promote myself as an expert in this field by any means, and frankly, being one that spends most of my year out in the far reaches of the wilderness, with little contact with the current events and news, I am somewhat behind on some of the big issues and topics of today. But that being said, I am also just as much affected by these times, and changes as anyone. This year has brought about some huge changes in my life as well. I have launched into the world of entrepreneurs, taking the lead in building my own business. Although it has not been just my own efforts and initiatives. I have been incredibly blessed to have some great business leaders, coaches and mentors to take me along the way, step by step, in a very short amount of time. One of the biggest being my Dad, having the background in business building himself. All that to say this, change is here, and we have the weight of this burden on our shoulders.

Now you can blame all of it on the previous president, or the melting of the polar ice caps, but when it comes down to it, it is us, we asked for it. All we have now is to take a stand and go with it. The change that is here is not all good, but it is these times that force us to do things differently. Businesses have had to change, cutback and compete harder for work. But I believe that when we emerge on the opposite side of this era in history, we will be proud of the accomplishments and growth, but that is only if we take the initiative to make the best of the situation. In order to continue on, we must have more tenacity than ever. It is the people that prepare and manage their businesses and personal lives at this stage, that will be way ahead of the curve when it is all over. It doesn’t matter our age, or schooling, we have what it takes, and that should be a motivation.

I do not have the get rich quick book, or the seven steps how to change your life, but I do know that there are principles to being successful, and maintaining a great personal life. Start small. Do you have a budget for your time and money? I get taught this day in and day out, and it wasn’t until I actually started doing it that things began to change. It is amazing how productive you can be when you manage your time. Days fly by, and you can look back at the accomplishments and measure the success.

Also, are you growing in your knowledge? Not how well you can haggle for a deal or finding out what happens on the next episode of Lost, but true, valuable knowledge. There is such a huge availability of information out there, that it is very easy to get caught up in social networks, and engaging media, and miss the learning opportunities out there. Try listening to someone, rather than just wanting to hear yourself talk, you would be surprised how much you can learn from people and grow your relationships. Because we can lose all of this around us, but relationships last, through thick and thin, and they can keep you going when it all falls apart. Pick up a book, and read, maybe turn off the TV, and spend some time feeding your brain, instead of your eyes. Spend time with your family, if you have one, and grow together. We need all the help we can get, and it is always awesome to get help from someone that doesn’t have their own agenda as number one priority.

I hope these thoughts can benefit someone, and it might seem that these simple things don’t make a difference, but if we don’t change personally, how can we change this Nation. Yes, we may be on the road to socialism, but maybe that is what it takes to make this country wake up, and realize how easy we have it here, and that it takes us, taking a stand for change, to keep us together, and strong. I am sorry, but a new leader is not the answer, it starts in all of us. One thing will never change however, that God is in Control, and he can give you peace in the midst of the storm.

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