Field Notes on Life captures personal reflections from the road, thoughts on fear, courage, curiosity, and what it means to be an explorer today. These essays blend travel, philosophy, and real-world lessons to uncover meaning in the everyday moments that shape our journeys.
Field Notes on Life
The Oxford Dictionary defines exploration as “the action of traveling in or through an unfamiliar area in order to learn about it.” In a sense, we are all born explorers, as the above quote could arguably define the experience of life itself. A tourist often approaches travel as a simple
Field Notes on Life
A destination has sparked your interest. You’ve come across a photo, article, video, or spoken with a friend that presents some far-off destination in a way that has piqued your curiosity. You have done the research, cleared your schedule, and are ready to solidify your bookings. Then comes the
Field Notes on Life
Three years ago, at the time of this writing, I published my book titled “Libertalia: Stealing Equality.” It documented my travels to Madagascar and my search for lost pirate havens, culminating in my search for the legendary lost pirate city of Libertalia. That expedition taught me a lot about the
Field Notes on Life
An Echo of the Original A fax is a janky echo of the original. A fax of a fax makes for an even worse copy. More and more, I fear the world is settling for this, a copy of life instead of the real thing, all in the name of
Field Notes on Life
Article 8: A Life of Purpose Introduction After all the stories, trials, and turning points, we arrive here, at the convergence. This isn’t the end of the road; it’s the beginning of walking it with full awareness. If you’ve been following this series, you’ve looked back
Field Notes on Life
Article 7: To Know Thyself Introduction Exploration doesn’t always take you across continents. Some of the most challenging terrain you’ll ever chart is inward. In this article, we look at self-knowledge, not as a buzzword, but as a vital tool. Without a compass, a map is useless. Without
Field Notes on Life
Article 6: Legacy and the Long View Introduction When you’re young, legacy feels distant, something for later, maybe even irrelevant. But as we age, and especially after becoming a parent, the idea of what we leave behind begins to take on new weight. Legacy isn’t just about big
Field Notes on Life
Article 5: You Are Not Your Job Title Introduction There are moments in life when our identity feels stripped away, especially after a job loss or a personal failure. We feel adrift because we’ve unknowingly tied our sense of self to a role we played or a title we
Field Notes on Life
Article 4: Using Adventure to Heal and Reset Purpose Introduction There are moments in life that crack us wide open, sudden losses, heartbreak, job collapse, or betrayal. These aren’t the moments we ask for. But they often become the turning points where everything changes, because they force us to
Field Notes on Life
Article 3: The Unmistakable Signs of Flow Introduction We often talk about “finding our path” as if purpose is something we stumble across one day. But what if the real clues are already woven into our lives, quiet moments where we feel completely in sync with who we are? This
Field Notes on Life
Article 2: False Starts and Goal-Adjacent Detours Introduction In the journey toward Ikigai, your reason for being, not every path is a straight shot toward purpose. Sometimes, you think you’ve found it, only to realize you’re orbiting the real thing without ever reaching it. This article explores the
Field Notes on Life
Article 1: Clues from Childhood Introduction This is the first in an eight-part series adapted from pages in my personal journals, travel memoirs, and reflections. It chronicles my own search for Ikigai, Japan’s concept for "a reason for being." These aren’t just stories from my life,