2010 has been a huge year of change and I need to remind myself to give myself time to adjust, heal and learn the fine art of self care.

In 2010, I shuttered my business, got divorced, traded my anti-depressants for a BMW motorcycle and took my life on the road.

Yea, I’d say its been a year of significant change.

Newly Single

Divorce can be a nasty business. It’s what needed to happen for both of us to be able to get on with life and be fully functioning members of society.

I am not looking for anything but friendship when it comes women. I’m still healing and connecting with myself. What I missed most in my life was passion. Its been a long time since I’ve felt the heat of passion.

I’m not talking about sex, love or being a horn dog, but to find something that makes my heart sing and to feel again the heat of passion.

Experiencing Heat of Passion

Passion can be experienced in many, many different ways and reasons. It’s the kind of passion that warms the heart, is mentally and emotionally stimulating. I’m talking about something that totally captures my imagination.

It’s that sense of feeling totally alive, awake and excited about my future. Personally, I’m giving myself permission to “suck the marrow from the bone of life”. To approach everyday with passion and be fully engaged.

To Be Fully Engaged

When I start riding each day, I remind myself to “engage”. The idea is to remind myself to be fully present and engaged. Unlike driving a car, riding a motorcycle requires full engagement. I use my left hand for the clutch, left foot to shift gears, right hand to operate accelerator and front brake, right foot to operate the rear brake. I shift my body weight to lean the bike into a turn.

Add in the attention required to drive defensively, avoid road and traction hazards a motorcycle rider must be fully engaged to ride safely.

The other thing I love about motorcycle riding is the visceral feel for the environment. Somehow, I feel more connected and real.

Permission to Feel Be Real

I’ve also gave myself permission to feel again. A decade on anti-depressants left me flat. I felt nothing. No joy, sadness or depression. I told my doctor that I’d rather deal with the side effects of feeling occasionally depressed than to feel like the walking dead.

NOTE: I got off Effexor XR gradually, under my doctors supervision and utilizing a natural supplement regimen to offset the nasty withdrawal symptoms and side effects. DO NOT just stop taking your meds, have a discussion with your doctor first.

I’ve Found That The Best Antidote To Anti-Depressants Is To Overhaul My Life

One of the nice side effects of getting off the antidepressant is clarity of thought and knowing what I want. While in the fog of antidepressants I found it difficult to make decisions – decisions that warmed my heart, felt congruent and were good for me.

I wanted to travel for awhile. I looked at a 45 foot, 600 HP diesel pusher a year ago but it was too much. Too much stuff, fuel, and not environmentally friendly or responsible. So a high end motorcycle fit the bill. Light, economical, fuel efficient and an achievable dream.

My biggest assignment now is to learn how to look after myself. I’m learning to put myself first. To do things for myself without feeling guilt, regret and second guessing myself. I’m talking about the fine art of self care.

Developing A Self Care Consciousness: The Fine Art of Self Care

What I’m talking about is tender, loving self care that soothes the soul and mends the heart.

Today, I sense that my priority needs to shift from a survival and caregiver consciousness to a “self care consciousness”. To develop and cultivate a kinder, gentler and more thoughtful way of being with myself. To develop this “self care consciousness” to such a degree that “self care” is my main priority each day and in alignment with my values, dreams and desires.

Now that is a life worth living!

Travel Light. Dream It Forward! Be.

Greg Balanko-Dickson
Making Memories Technician

http://twitter.com/gregbd

http://www.gregbd.com/

My first view Wyoming and I love it!

Greg Balanko-Dickson

http://twitter.com/gregbd

gregbd at gmail dot com

Since I was riding by I decided to stop and take a look at Old Faithful. It erupted, I saw and took a picture, then I left. Quite unspectacular IMO. Here’s the picture. Here’s what Wikipedia has about it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Faithful

Greg Balanko-Dickson

http://twitter.com/gregbd

gregbd at gmail dot com

Yesterday was 85 degrees in Yellowstone. This morning was cool. It warmed up and I went to see the North Falls in Yellowstone. Beautiful.

2010 has been a strange weather year. Everyone I’ve spoken with from east to west agrees it’s been an unusual year for weather. What I didn’t realize was that this weekend was the labor day weekend. Otherwise I likely wouldn’t have left the wonderful hospitality of my friends Drake, Jolie and Aidan in Helena.

I’m grateful I did come to Yellowstone because I’ve been meeting so many wonderful, friendly and amazing people! When I started traveling, I had no idea I’d meet so many great people…. bikers, RV’rs… shop keepers. Everyone has been awesome.

I went into Gardiner (outside Yellowstones north entrance to get a latte and internet access. Helped a fellow (I think his name is Jim) get his iPad connected to wifi and had a wonderful visit.

Blew back to my campsite (very windy) and parked my bike. When I got back, I met my next door campsite neighbor Tom, a contractor from Salt Lake City. He’s riding a BMW G650 XChallenge. It started to rain and we stood in the rain getting to now one another. Talking motorcycles, tents and gear.

My Tent Vestibule Is Flapping In Wind!

I look at my tent, vestibule flapping in the wind! Bob comes to help me secure it and mentions that they say it’s going down to 27 degrees F tonight! Then it really starts to rain and blow.

Really came down for the last hour. It’s cold. I jump into my Icebreaker wool underwear, wool sweater and crawl into my down sleeping bag on my Exped down filled air mattress to weather the storm. Damn I drank too much coffee and almost a quart of water. Hang on I gotta run, be right back.

Rain Gear Locked In Tail Bag On Bike

I run to get my rain slicker outta tank bag and make a mad dash to the toilet.

I made it just in time. I look at the scene in front of me and I ride all the way to Yellowstone to see snow! Look at this!!

I come back to camp and Tom is hoping on his bike to go to town. I say, “You’re brave! I don’t want to start tomorrow in a wet (riding) suit… then shrugs his shoulders and asks me if I need anything from town. “A sandwich would be nice.” I say. “I’ll see what I can find.” as he rides off.

Nice guy? For sure. A little nuts riding in this soup. The jury is still out on that one. Seriously, how great and wonderful people are if you just give them a chance.

BTW, in case you didn’t know, this was the view from my campsite Saturday, just one day ago…

Now, its raining again and I’m waiting for Tom to return.

He arrived, Philly Cheessteak sandwiches!

Travel Light. Dream It Forward! Be.

Greg Balanko-Dickson

http://twitter.com/gregbd

gregbd at gmail dot com

I’ve decided that when people ask if I’m retired or independently wealthy to be able to ride around the world I’m going to tell them that I am a “Making Memories Technician”. My job description requires me to be constantly on the move, reach out, being friendly and make friends everywhere I go.

So, no I am not retired, I’ve just started a new career, I’m your friendly neighborhood “Making Memories Technician”!

Greg Balanko-Dickson
Making Memories Technician

http://twitter.com/gregbd

gregbd at gmail dot com

I drove into Gardiner (about 5 miles from campsite) to the High Country Trading Gifts and Expresso. I saw this sign behind where I parked… 2,386 miles to New York. Jackie and Ken from New York took the photo for me.

I plan to ride through New York next spring/summer from wherever I end up in the south east US. Then I’ll move onto to Eastern Canada to see Newfoundland & Labrador, PEI and Nova Scotia.

Just few miles ahead of me. The sheer miles used to intimidate me. I’ve learned that a hundred miles or so everyday turns into a journey after a week, month and a year.

It requires vision, courage and determination to turn each day into an adventure!

Tally Ho, Fellow Adventurers!

Travel Light. Dream It Forward! Be.

Greg Balanko-Dickson

http://twitter.com/gregbd

gregbd at gmail dot com

I’ve only been here for 7 hours and already I know that my trip here is not going to be about Yellowstone Park, it will be about the people I meet.

Minnesota via California

John and Nancy Ludwig are from Minnesota and have been traveling the southern United States for a month or so. They will be heading home tomorrow but had some good tips for Southern California. Friendly, open and Nancy gave me a magazine about Houston. They had a real nice truck and camper combo and have been traveling a lot for the last few years. Neat people.

New Orleans via California

Josh and Michelle are riding a 2003 Honda VFR two up from New Orleans and heading to Vancouver, Canada and maybe alaska. A really cool couple that showed me a really cool app for the iPad that preloads the maps for North America, Co-Pilot HD. I gotta get me that app.

Night Sky, Milky Way and Jupiter ala Yellowstone Park Ranger

9PM one of the park Rangers did a wonderful presentation on the night sky and stars you can view in Yellowstone this time of year. Yellowstone is the darkest park I’ve been at so far. It was so clear last night that I was able to see the Milky Way a long cloud like stripe stretching east to west. So, so awe inspiring and surreal.

My Campsite

It was cool last night but I was warm. At 6600 ft above sea level it only makes sense that it will cool off at night.

Travel Light. Dream It Forward! Be.

Greg Balanko-Dickson

http://twitter.com/gregbd

gregbd at gmail dot com