In 2005 I did a short 4-5month stint back-packing central Europe.  While I met some amazing people it was also a very lonely time.  I know this time I will enjoy it much more because I can honestly say I am the most me I have ever been.  I’m not pretending to be anyone, and I’m completely comfortable with myself.  That was my mission coming back here last time.  I remember thinking of my friend Sonia when we first met, how she seemed so comfortable with herself.  I wanted to feel that, and 4-years later I do and it is liberating.  A part of that is happiness.  My favourite hobbie of the last few years – it’s a part of the would-be amateur psychologist in me.  Happiness is a big topic in Buddhism, and the positive psychology movement is also large at the moment in mainstream media.  With hindsight I look back on my early twenties and see how miserable I was.  Most of that relates being uncomfortable with myself being gay and not being honest about that.  Somewhere along the way Buddhism and the science behind happiness taught me how to be content, take responsibility for my happiness, but most importantly let myself be happy.  It was all from the inside, not from relationships, possessions, or anything external to me.  It had to come from within to be genuine, lasting, and true.

I have no idea what adventures are to come, or what doors will open but I am so damned excited because I know many are to come!

Hello world.

These are plastered all over Ponsonby at the moment. Great message but rather funny use of language – especially this one given it was right outside SPQR – a popular gay restaurant.