"I knew one thing now for sure now sitting on that platform, waiting for my train. You cannot live in the past. It was funny. What a revelation. I had travelled across the sky, across the ocean to sit in a place we once left to finally understand. You cannot live in the past."

The real work begins post-sobriety. And for the loners of the world, it has unique challenges.

Be fully engaged in the life you were given. With grace, and gratitude.

I got clean (finally) at 59. Sobriety is now the most important thing in my life. Never as a young man did I expect my path to lead me here. But in no way am I an expert in addiction. Find your own why.

Mitigating circumstances. Putting in the work to come to terms with addiction and depression, and learning not to quit.

At what point in leaving your place of birth for a new country, does one become a stranger, unable to return? Immigrant, citizen, or expat?

One foot here, one foot there...

There are two gifts my father gave me. One was to bring me to Canada for a better life, and a better opportunity.
The other is in our genes. He was a worker bee. Did what he needed to do. Always getting up. Son of a farmer. Never quit. You can’t ask for much more than that.

With hard work, and acceptance, and the drive to learn, everything in your power. Everything is up to you.

Great music inspired me, especially early-seventies rock. But at my peak as a guitar player, performing felt empty. Writing saved me, and my carefree highway years were gone.

Practicing to get better, through addiction and crazy times. Dedication over motivation all day long.