Self-Help, Personal Growth & Psychology

Tedium is a regular part of my job. But today the graphs and calculations fall away as I inhale the scent of dirt and spruce needles. Out here, I am half scientist, half disciple. I’ve left the laboratory far behind and, with it, the need to quantify and contain. In its place, I’ve reconnected with the simple act of observation.

learned valuable lessons that day about staying more aware of my physical condition and my surroundings, about not taking anything for granted, and about remembering how unforgiving nature can be. When things get tough, courage is not necessarily the most important attribute. What’s important is being able to control your emotions and maintain a

"it's ironic that the world always asks for everything new and original and at the same time rejects anything that does not follow common patterns or rules"

We need to think more about mining our own output to extract patterns that turn our raw personal data stream into predictive, actionable information.

Unlike the civilized world, wilderness invites you to sense the surrounding harmony and the utter insignificance of mankind. The