Oil rig diving. Venice Louisiana, May 2009. We swam with between 100 - 200 silky sharks on this day. Complete insanity.

Are you a story teller? Do you collect your memories? If you do not… Why Not?

I think everyone should document their lives down on paper, or their computer.

Write down your goals, what you did today, what you did yesterday, what you ate, who you met, how you felt… everything.

You do not have to share it with the world, but you should do it for yourself.

There is nothing like looking back at your life from 20 years ago and reading your thoughts on paper. How you have grown, reflecting on what you have seen, and felt, and lost, or gained.

My first 8 second ride on a bull. I worked so hard to learn to ride bulls when I was young. On this cold winter day in 1995, it all came together and I made my first eight on this young bull. When I jumped off the bull I lost my balance and landed on my face. The dirt was soft, but I hit it hard and and i got up dazed. But when I got up, my face covered in dust, there was a huge smile on my face. It took me so long to finally hit that 8, I was so happy, and beaming with pride. This image along with my journal entry helped me to remember details from this epic moment that is forever a part of me. It is one of my most favorite days of my life on earth.

Since my early twenties, I have been keeping journals, and it is nice looking back at that crazy kid and reading stories from those long-gone days.

I cringe, I smile, I ache. It is so nice to be able to look back and see how much I have changed, how far I have come, how I have lost, how I have risen up from my horrible face plants, and how much further I still have to go.

So if you have not already started keeping a journal, please start today.

Maybe you feel you have nothing interesting to say or anything worthy of writing. But I disagree; everyone's story is worth documenting.

And hey, if you don't think you are living a life worth writing about… a journal is a great way to remind yourself that you need to get out and do more. Take more walks, see more sunsets, ride a bike, go for a swim, head off on a road trip… whatever it is you feel like doing, you should do it.

Get out there and experience the beauty of life. And when the day is over, take out that pen and get to writing.

Have a Beautiful Week Everyone!

Do you have a story to tell? I am talking about an in-your-face, heart-pounding, hair-raising, exciting adventure story, or maybe it’s about a beautiful day spent at your local hike and bike trail. Hopefully, it's about your experiences with wildlife, but it could be another outdoor activity; tubing down the river, mountain biking, or a walk through the woods, just anything adventurous in nature. If you don't have a story like that, then you need to go out and live one.

Everyone should experience an outdoor adventure that will make you nervous, and excited, and happy, all at the same time. So move out of that comfort zone and attempt something fun and new, at least once a year.

The next thing you need to do is document it (if you're not already). You need to write it up! DO NOT allow a great adventure to die, left buried in your memories. Not when you can pass it along.

Why... you ask?

People out there need your stories; they need your adventures; Your highs, your lows. Your experiences may inspire someone to get up and go live out their own dreams, especially in these crazy-Covid times. People need to remember that the world is still an amazing place. Plus, nature and the local communities around them need eco-tourism. Without it, it isn't easy to protect the animals and wild places we love so much.

Maybe you're thinking to yourself, "I wish I could, but I'm not a writer." I say the second you pick up that pencil and scribble out your first lines; YOU ARE A WRITER! It does not matter if your first writing attempt is good or bad, "you are a writer." With practice, you could one day be a great one. So break out that notepad or your laptop and start writing. Just write from your heart, and you can't go wrong. And if you would like someone to read it, send it to me. I'd love to experience your story.

Remember, the world is full of people who have stories to tell. The problem is, most people don't have anything interesting to write about… you do or you will.

Thank you for reading and I will see you out in the world - somewhere… anywhere.

Are You Writing Your Stories?

The World Needs Your Fingerprint!