MOUNTAIN LIFE - Coast Mountains | Winter / Spring 2018

WINTER/SPRING 2018 MLCM 29 Pemberton: Where your roots have room to grow. It’s no secret that I love Pemberton. Born and raised here, I know the valley and the people and I truly enjoy sharing my love of Pemberton with others. Whether you’re buying or selling, put my over 13 years of real estate experience and lifetime of local knowledge to work for you. I am happy to help and just a phone call away. 604 698 5128 or email [email protected] REAL ESTATE PEMBERTON .COM TOLL FREE 1.877 242 2448 EXT .333 1. MAKE PLANS, BUT REMAIN FLEXIBLE. Stay open to the surprises life has in store. Planning a trip can be exciting and half the fun; but some of the best adventures arrive when you have little or no plan. That time you ran into an old friend on the other side of the planet and changed your plane ticket? Or when you missed the bus and it led to discovering a new secret spot? Being open and flexible allows travelling’s best ally to reveal itself – serendipity. 2. JOY IS A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE . Whether found through sport, music, or art, sharing a joyful passion with another person is the easiest way to bridge cultural, spiritual, and language barriers. Some of the most meaningful friendships can be made through high-fives, smiles, and sharing a common joy. 3. DISTRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. When someone tells you not to go somewhere or do something, this can be a clue that you’re onto something really good. Survival instincts drive humans to fear things that we do not understand, and have helped us survive for thousands of years, but in the modern age, a lot of our fears are only perceived danger, not actual danger. Unless, of course, it is truly life threatening. The stuff that scares us can also be a wonderful opportunity for growth, change, and way more fun than you anticipated. 4. IT’S OKAY TO WORK (ALMOST) ANY JOB (TEMPORARILY). Freedom isn’t free. You still need to pay rent, fill up on gas, buy groceries, and hopefully have enough left for the next adventure. Sometimes this means tree planting all summer, snow clearing all winter, or teaching water aerobics at Club Med for an extra month in order to make ends meet until the next rafting season begins. Whatever it takes, you can handle it if there’s a goal in sight. 5. “THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE LESS YOU NEED.” This old Australian aboriginal saying is the most valuable thing I’ve learned. Being constantly on the move has forced me to keep my “stuff” in check, and to resist the temptation of taking more than I need. I’m happiest in nature, and abroad, with just the bare essentials. Certainly, I still like to enjoy the comforts of modern life, but I feel the most alive when I pack only what I need and head out into the world with an open heart and mind.