There's nothing like a little perspective to give you some perspective...

This is a shot of Seattle at 6:30 this morning, taken from my terrifically crappy mobile phone camera, taken from my terrifically terrific hotel room on the 43rd floor of the North tower of the Westin, Seattle. You can see Puget sound and even a little bit of the mountain ranges. And some buildings. But somehow, even those are pretty.

If you're a long-time blog reader, and you happen to be a mutant with the power to remember even the smallest of details, you may recall that I've been to Seattle for my work before. Just about two years ago, I was in this very spot, writing about the hope and possibility of things to come, and pleased as punch to be leaving my old gig to try something new.

Now, a bit less than two years later, I'm back here, and it feels poetic. I spent the six-hour plane ride out here lamenting the fact that I've been on the road for three out of the last four weeks, and away from Stacy. I've been a bit down about that...feeling like I travel too much...and, in the way only the truly short-sighted can...not taking the time to look back and figure out what's so great about exactly where I am.

Then, this morning, I found that old post. And I marveled at my own capacity to forget the past, and to ignore the clear and obvious signs of blessing on me.

Here I am, eighteen months after my previous post, sitting in the same hotel room, with thousands of miles, dozens of cities, several countries, and a bunch of money between this me and that me. I also have memories of places I never would have gone, conversations with people in cultures I never would have gotten to explore, chances to stretch myself in ways I never would have dared, and the chance to taste food no one should ever eat. I love my job, and, in some kind of moderation, I love to travel. To sit and ruminate about the one down-side of my job while flying to my favorite visiting-city in the US where I'll lodge in my favorite hotel and overlook one of the most beautiful sights in the country...again, short-sighted.

I'm very happy this morning. I woke up at 6:30 (woke up in Newark yesterday...big time difference), opened my curtains and gaped at the Sound. I will drink my Starbucks, and perhaps even play some Indie music while I workout, just to get the Seattle feel. I will be where I am for today, and look forward to what is, rather than wish for what isn't, what was, or what I think should have been.

Starting to sound like a Daily Affirmation, isn't it? Don't mean to get corny, but the view from up here made me want to do something taller.

I had Pacific Oysters for dinner, and they were delicious. Here's to the good things.

Peace,
Justin