On the Patagonian expedition, there was diversity among my group. There were a bunch of burly men from Alaska who had all been friends for more than 20 years. One worked the North Slope of Alaska. He was outdoor-knowledgeable and tough. From what I could see, he slept with polar bears. I felt very sorry for those bears. Gertrude was from New York. Single and aloof, she was a good hiker who wanted to be an artist. She had to have come from money. Other members of our group were Richard, the photographer; Big Trevor, the stoic; and Martin, our always vigilant, incredibly knowledgeable and skillful mountain guide.
While on the Caribbean sailing adventure I lived with people I did not know beforehand; this gave me insights into how I deal with strangers. I noticed the parameters and barriers that I put up when it comes to people I do not know. It was easier for me to stay distant than to be curious about these strangers.
These are experiences I brought back to work. Being in a different environment gave me a new perspective on my everyday life. I recognized that there are different people beyond the ones I typically interact with. I am now more appreciative of what I have and of my life as a whole.
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So great, Bruce! If more people would take on getting to know others, accepting them for their likeness to them and this is the big one -- their differences -- we would have a more productive, peaceful, and loving world.
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