Michael W Brunt

1 – House sold
2 – Apartment rented in Vancouver
3 – Father and daughter both registered for school

I guess this is happening…

What does it mean when your child finds their passion?  As parents we all have 2, 3, 4 nights a week full of activities for our kids.  We run home from work, quickly get dinner and sprint out the door to sports or music, while hoping not to forget a skate or towel.  Always rushing, feeling like there is never enough time to complete what we need.  We hate it and love it all at the same time in an effort to expose our kids to as many activities as possible.  Ballet, soccer, guitar, swimming, skating, basketball, acro, etc – I’m there!!!  That said, I was overwhelmed last weekend as my daughter demonstrated to me her passion. Continue reading “Passion Found” →

This week I sold my motorcycle.  Listed for only 4 hours and now forever departed.  I have mixed feelings about it.  Actually, the feelings are not very mixed at all – it sucks!!!  I’ve really enjoyed my time on that KLR650.  Sigh… The last 2 years I’ve spend a profound amount of time riding.  Over 23,000 kilometers of reflective solitude.  Camping in half a dozen Ontario Provincial Parks.  Rapid adventures across 9 states.  Exploring the peaks and valleys though the Adirondack, Green, White and Pocono mountains.  Dipping a tire into the Atlantic Ocean and 3 of the Great Lakes.  I embraced the changing sights, the intense smells and the unplanned freedom to go anywhere the road or trail lead. Continue reading “Therapy Sold” →

Beak down the barriers.
Go where you feel you are not suppose to venture.
Most importantly, ask the questions people don’t want you to ask.
How can we grow, either individually or as a society, if we do not challenge each other or ourselves through informed discussion?
I’m frightened to break out of my routine.  Nervous to scrape the cobwebs from within my brain.
I’m starting to ask those questions again.  Beginning to entertain more than what is.

Wow, life is complex!  I keep telling myself I need to simplify my life.  I keep telling myself I want a simple life but evidently I really don’t.  Selling our home.  Returning to school.  I’m a complex person with too much baggage to check at the curb.  I never seem to feel one definitive way about anything anymore.  In truth, I normally feel conflicted.  Often simultaneously bombarded by opposing feelings and thoughts. Continue reading “Beauty In A Moment” →

I find it interesting that ahead of a busy conference where I will reacquaint myself with numerous friends and attend many professional meetings, that the solitude of my 900 kilometre motorcycle ride brings a type of clarity that I can only achieve through isolation. Watch out Quebec City – the lone rider has arrived!!!

I had envisioned crafting a story in a eloquent 1500 word essay about the dream that was a house in Fergus, Ontario.  However, that is not to come.  The story that felt best to scribe is what is before us now.

A house was built by newlyweds with the dream of a large family.   Continue reading “The House A Dream Built” →

Today I hate the world.
But, I don’t.
I hate this never-ending winter.
Yet, I still marvel at the beauty of each snow fall.
I hate that I’m selling the house I built together with my late wife.
However, I’m excited to travel 4,000 kilometres and begin a new chapter. Continue reading “End This Day” →

It is dark and raining outside, as two people work in a brightly lit garage.  The rhythmic volley of showers continues to pound the pavement as my daughter hands me tools.  We both judiciously focus on our task, containing our excitement.  Four months ago, we said goodnight and tonight we awake my motorcycle.  The bonds suspending my KLR650 from the ceiling, removed.  The battery to ignite the dream, restored.   Continue reading “The Season Begins” →

40 trips around the sun.  Well…this is not exactly how I envisioned my life unfolding.  I’m not saying it’s a bad thing but rather that there is no way I could have anticipated the twists and turns that have brought me here.  How many people have I been over these 4 decades?  To others I’ve been a son, brother, friend, husband, father.  How many versions of myself have there been?  As I reflect across each decade, I feel I evolve into someone new and different yet strangely familiar to a past self. Continue reading “Versions of Myself” →