Have you ever thought about what anchors you? The people, things, habits, thoughts, smells and tastes that make you think, “yes, I feel secure. I belong here.”

Yes, it’s important to move forward, to look ahead and not back. To allow the winds to fill the sails of life and propel you forward to new adventures.

And it is also important to know when it is necessary to drop anchor in a quiet cove, enjoy the slow pace, relish the security and recharge for the next adventure.

My varied careers have taken me to different places, many of them to other countries. It’s adventurous to be able to do that. With each new place I visit, I learn something new about myself. The things which drive me forward, the things which render me stuck, and what anchors me.

When the adventure is over I return home, to Che, to my family, to the familiar smells, routines and tastes of what anchors me. On deeper reflection, what anchors me is also what allows me to sail forward in search of adventure. I wouldn’t be able to do one without the other – the balance between forward-momentum and the sheltering coves of my life’s journey.