In Paulo Coelho’s simple, yet profound book, The Alchemist, he tells the magical story of a young shepherd boy named Santiago who seeks adventure and travels the world in search of great treasure. In opening up to the flow of life and following his dreams, he meets many people; falls in love; learns valuable lessons along the way. Yet he ends up exactly where he started — under a tree, taking care of his flock.
His journey is long, the lessons difficult, and ultimately, the boy finds his treasures right under his nose.
Was all of the time, energy and heartache worth it?
Many of us ask these same questions as we are on a similar journey — one that may include long and winding roads, many detours, heartache and heartbreak, and untold lessons that often take us in many directions. We, too, often end up not all that far from where our journey began.
Much like the boy in the Alchemist, it’s the possibility of having dreams come true that makes life interesting.
Welcome to The Journey is the Destination, a web site where I aim to share some insights, inspirations, and a few lessons that I’ve picked up on my own journey.
Throughout my life, I’ve held many jobs: cook, landscaper, bartender, salesman, journalist, professor, and communications director, among many others. I’ve traveled to a few places such as Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, Ireland and France. I’ve read lots and lots of books and had my share of lessons inside and out of the classroom. Friendships have been made and lost.
So many of these experiences, people and places have left an indelible mark. 
I do not profess to have it all figured out as my journey is still going. But in being open to experiences and thereby the flow of life, it has gotten much better. As Santiago notes: “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.”
Godspeed fellow Sojourners. May your trip be long, windy and full of adventure.