That's my window on the world

Welcome

This is the first in a series of posts about a question that has shaped my life: What does it mean to create “one life well lived?” Originally, that was the intended title for these Substack posts. But the truth is, I'm not an authority on the matter—just a traveler who has taken a few leaps and gathered stories to share around an internet campfire.

Rather than make grand claims, I can only offer a perspective from the perambulations and strivings toward my “one life well lived.” My hope is that the stories speak for themselves. That’s why the handle Window on the World seems more fitting, though I’ll admit it’s not exactly original.

A couple of things about the handle: First, Window on the World is borrowed—stolen, nicked—from a song written by John Hiatt and performed by Jimmy Buffett on his License to Chill album (2004). It’s also the title of several books, all of which suggest that a life well lived is about perspective—an ever-changing view shaped by exploration and the people who inspire us.

Self-indulgent? You bet

You might think that writing essays chronicling “one life well lived” is narcissistic or self-indulgent. You’re right. Writers are often told to “write what they know.” My wife knows me best, and though I’m fairly well-versed on the subject, I don’t completely subscribe to the write-what-you-know mantra. The write-what-you-want-to-know idea—or more precisely, a combination of the two—serves the sense of exploration.

That notion has led to a general philosophy: exploring is life (thank you, Dani Rojas, for concise phrasing). Exploring can mean diving into your work, your family, a book, or the wilds of nature. There’s always something new to discover. Your children grow a little more each day; the leaves change color in autumn. But exploring is more than just noticing. Asking questions is at the root of exploration: What makes my son or daughter tick? Why did the leaves turn such a vibrant shade of orange, red, or gold this year? What lies in those blank spaces on the map?

Influences

One life well lived should also include the influence of others—family, friends, and even artists who open our eyes to new possibilities. My primary influences come from my family, beginning with my mother and father and later my wife. But I also owe a debt of inspiration to two artists who profoundly shaped my trajectory: singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett and travel writer Paul Theroux.

Buffett’s music captures the joy of far-flung places, while Theroux’s writing brings to life the grit, nuance, and wonder of his journeys.

Like many fledgling writers, I began with dreams of becoming a travel writer. Theroux’s voice—once described as “wittily observant”—captivated me. My first travel writing course came on the heels of reading Dark Star Safari, his chronicle of a solo journey from Cairo to Cape Town. Theroux became the first author I imitated. The second was Hemingway (go figure).

Around the same time I finished Dark Star Safari, Jimmy Buffett’s Far Side of the World album debuted, and the title track captivated me. The lyrics painted vivid pictures of exotic destinations that seemed to call my name. “Far Side of the World” immediately became my anthem and remains so today.

Less than two years after the album’s release, I was bound for the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a stint with the United Nations. Africa opened my eyes to how fortunate we are in the West and left me profoundly grateful for living in a part of the world where we have the freedom to shape our own lives.

Thanks for coming along

Writer, explorer, pilot, and sometimes actor—these are some of the roles I’ve embraced. A friend once introduced me to a of colleague his, and when the man asked what I did, my friend interjected, “Anything he wants.” It struck me as a fitting assessment, and I’ve carried his comment as a badge of honor ever since.

So, dear reader, welcome to my Window on the World. Whether this life qualifies as “one life well lived” is for you to decide, but I hope these entries inspire you to reflect on your own leaps—and to create your own stories of a life well lived.

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