My Bucket List Trip

African Lion Safari

"I would like to think of myself as the consummate planner. " Naguib

This isn't just because of my chosen profession that I wrote that sentence. I've been articulating goals and identifying what was important to me since the end of high school. Those weren't necessarily considered lofty goals by anyone else's measuring stick; they were my goals.

Sometimes, those goals were monetary; other times, they were family goals. When we were first married, Donna and I would walk around our neighbourhood and discuss what we envision for our future. I will write about our cottage story another time.

My goals were sometimes career goals. At first, those involved certificate courses for pure interest, then licensing courses, followed by more advanced designation courses. Eventually, the entire client list will be shifted from one regulatory body to another, and finally, in my latest move, even changing companies and how we do business. Some of the business goals were because a wave was coming, and I didn't want to be swept by it. The burning desire was to be riding the leading edge of it. I love what I do and am genuinely passionate about making a difference. More than that, I've been like a sponge. My clients have taught me more than I will ever teach them.

Cottage Sky, Oxtongue Lake

Part of the maturing process is seeing the circle of life at play. My journey of self-discovery could also be because I've reached one age milestone after another. It could be that I've learned from the mistakes I've made. I'm a son, a father, and now even a grandfather, and it could be by sheer osmosis that I've gotten wiser.

I learned to figure out what's truly important to me. You see, for someone whose entire livelihood revolves around people and their money, I don't care much for the accumulation of millions and millions of dollars. Don't get me wrong, my ultimate savings goal is "enough" plus one dollar! The tricky part is knowing what is "enough."

One of the developing themes was that I love taking pictures of animals and have driven to relatively close and convenient venues to get photos of them. At first, I was content with just zoo pictures. Metro Toronto Zoo and even the famous San Diego Zoo. I then graduated from African Lion Safari just outside of Hamilton, Ontario. I've always wanted more.

A couple of years ago, Donna and I discovered "The Wilds" near Columbus, Ohio, and what a fantastic place! As much as those have incredible opportunities to take nice pictures, they left me wanting more. A Safari would be a team come true.