Writer. Gamer. Traceur. Warrior. Lover. Barrelrider….Okay that last one I may have borrowed from one Master Baggins, but the rest are true, although I have not as yet been tested in battle, at least not in the physical sense. But before I continue, WELCOME!

The Storms Within is who I am and what I do. There have been many, many thoughts and ideas floating through my head for most of my life, trying to figure out who I am as a person and what I want to do, and now that I’m getting a good grasp on it, I want to share it with you. All of us struggle with certain things in our lives, those inner conflicts that take place which no one else sees. I’ve decided to write about some of mine, hoping to sort them out along the way. Trying to ignore a storm inside cannot be a healthy thing, after all.

But there is more. One thing I’ve come to realize is just how accessible everything is now. With the internet, the world is connected and we see so many amazing things happening all around us, and most of us click on an article or picture, admire it for a few minutes, and then continue on. I’ve seen so many things I want to try, places I want to visit, events I want to experience, all while sitting at home in front of a screen. Well no more!!!

The world is a playground, yet we forget this simple fact somewhere along the way. I do not go to the gym, finding it ridiculous to pay for something we could just go outside and do, but getting in better shape is merely the start. I want to climb a mountain? I’ll need to be able to carry a pack and have sufficient strength and lung capacity to make it out and back in decent time, and have a little left over in case a bear shows up and challenges me to a footrace.

It is so easy to live a sedentary lifestyle, and I have been guilty of this for far too long. We all know the benefits of being out in nature, but we seldom go out and actually do it. I’ve started getting out more, going jogging, taking trips to Banff and visiting friends and family in the nearby mountains, and have decided to start recording it. Along with this, I’m slowly moving out of my comfort zone, trying new things, and I have to say, it’s totally worth it!

So I encourage you, take a break from the screens, have a stroll through a forest and breathe deep the pine scented air. Forget what your parents told you and talk to a stranger, it’s really not that scary. And for crying out loud, if you absolutely must have your phone with you, leave the ear buds at home!

As the saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So here we are, at step number one. Join me on this journey, won’t you?