Kerri On Down The Road

 When I was younger, I would rather drive or walk in circles than stop and ask for directions.  This was, of course, before we held the power of maps in our hands everywhere we went, so unless you had the foresight to print a map and carry it with you, you could find yourself at the mercy of the kindness of strangers.  It felt embarrassing to admit I had no idea where I was or where I was going, and my embarrassment, coupled with stubbornness, often led me to take the long way to most places.  Later on, it felt like a flip had taken place, and I started looking for external confirmation that I was going in the "right" direction, never feeling entirely certain I had chosen the right path and relying on others' opinions to guide me.  Of course, this happened both literally and figuratively as I began along my life's path, trying to decipher the road ahead of me.  Even now, despite years of lived experience, I can find myself at times afraid to fully rely on m...

Strength is one of those words that can mean different things to different people.  For some, it may conjure images of muscle-bound bodybuilders or sinewy ultra runners who travel farther on foot than many of us care to drive.  For others, it brings to mind character traits that are more internal than external. I found myself contemplating what strength means to me as I rode my bike home from the gym one day last week.  I've started riding more this season and find myself hopping on my city bike to get to and from the gym when time allows.  I love the feeling of freedom I have on my bike, and it doesn't hurt that the way to the gym includes a lovely downhill section.  Of course, what that means is that there's an equally steep climb to conquer on the way home, post-workout.   As I started the climb, my legs began to question my bike-riding logic, and I quietly reminded myself that I am strong and capable and would make it up the hill.  That's when...

As I sit at my desk, staring out the window, trying to collect my thoughts, I am struck by the many transitions and changes that seem to arrive at this time of year.  Summer is slowly drawing to a close, with the light casting longer shadows early in the mornings and sunsets creeping earlier each night.  Schools are preparing to open their doors once again, and there is an underlying sense of routine and responsibilities returning to centre stage.  While some of these changes may feel welcome and are eagerly anticipated, there is also an accompanying melancholy for the passing of what was.  It is hard to feel the ease of summer sliding by, only to be replaced by the heavier feelings that often come with late fall and winter.   What is it about this annual shift from summer to fall that feels so hard? One would think that as we get older and experience this over and over again, we would become accustomed to it, yet that doesn't seem to be the case.  It ...