Episode 2 is a fast forward to today. 20 years after my adventure into Kosovo from Episode 1.

Much has happened in my life since then. Both very rewarding, but also very challenging. Things that have caused my inner compass to be covered over, pushed to the shadows of my everyday life. That is, until I faced a CRISIS in my relationship with my wife - coming face to face with the fact that I had been largely shut down inside for the first 15 years of our married life. Indeed before that as well, but that moment provided me a mirror into myself. And I was faced with a decision - choose to face this shut down, shadowy part of me, despite the loud inner voice warning me not to. Or risk losing everything I loved and causing even more pain in the process.

In that moment I made a decision - a COMMITMENT - to not keep turning away from this seemingly dark abyss inside of myself. It wasn't a commitment to change per se. Frankly I had no idea what was under the surface of my conscious awareness that was causing my destructive behaviour.

I started with a commitment to be willing to change.

But that was enough. It was the start of something very significant. It was Bus Ticket moment. And I stepped into it, instead turning away like I had done so many times in the past.

I was willing to change, but didn't know fully where to start. So I picked an obvious area that needed attention - my physical health.

Focus 1 - Small changes to my diet. Putting healthy food in front of myself that would strengthen me.

Focus 2 - Fitness related. I started going to work a bit earlier in the morning and walking (not jogging or running) on the treadmill in the gym. For 20 minutes only. Building up my core strength and physical capacity.

Focus 3 - New knowledge and insights - similar to Focus 1, putting healthy 'inner food' into myself. I started with Michael Singer's book 'The Untethered Soul' and moved through many sources.

Focus 4 - Practicing new behaviours, new ways of thinking, of believing. Drawing on the great wisdom and practical insights I was consuming and applying them. The result was similar to Focus 2 - a building up of my core 'inner strength'.

The key to my work above was the formation of HABITS in each focus area.

Small acts of habit-forming CONSISTENCY in each area became the foundation for sustained 'micro layers' of personal development for me. They acted as a gateway to the inner growth I have experienced, and set the stage for me to strengthen three more key practices that have been foundational as well:

COMPASSION

CURIOUSITY

COMMUNITY

These last three C's are the basis for Episode 3, the second part of my Coming Alive story.

But before we go there, there is one other element underlying this whole transformation journey I've been on. And it bears calling out.

COURAGE.

It takes courage to turn toward a difficult moment in our life. Instead of away from the potentially uncomfortable feelings that come up.

But it is worth it. That moment can be a friend to us. If we turn toward it. And allow some light into that space.

And take small steps in response.

One Bus Ticket moment at a time.

See you next episode!