Journeyman Stories

Have you ever gotten up early in the morning because you got inspired to do something? This is what just happened to me (it's almost 3.30 am on Boxing day) For a while now I have been hesitating to write about this story because I am still emotional about it. I guess it was not the right time yet. But now, at 3.30 am on Boxing day, I am going to share the story (and I am selling it at half price lol). Yes I know, it's again about my trip to Mali (I can hear you saying “get over it” as Dr. Phil always does). My old friend Ken just read my blog and his comment was “Patrick, you are an INCREDIBLE and INSPIRING writer”; and just like that, by reading this comment, I got inspired to talk about my new friend Yacouba (and at the same time promote myself by using Ken's comment). Yacouba is my new friend. He is just 11 years old. But what a friend!!! He is the kind of friend who reminds you of your purpose. My trip to Mali (see previous blogs) was full of surprises which included my...

I guess everyone has heard the saying “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. I would say it does not have to. I am a fan of personal development stuff. Every time I get an opportunity to attend a seminar, read a book or listen to an audio recording, I just run with it. I have learned so many things in the process. It was in late October 2008 that Gabriela,a friend of mine and life coach came to me and told me that a well known speaker and coach was conducting a 3 day intensive training in Vegas. She said that she could invite 5 people to attend for free, provided that they could pay for their own transportation and hotel accommodations. It was a great deal, because the training was a little bit expensive (I believe learning is priceless). Needless to say I was interested, but I had not planned to travel so soon (an easy way to say that I did not have the money to do it). I told my friend that I would go with her and now I had to figure out how. The “how” has never been my business. I ...

Have you ever taken a trip, not really knowing what to expect, and at the end being blown away? That is what happened to me on my last visit to Mali (West Africa). Being born in Africa, I was not expecting to experience a cultural shock (is there an African culture?), but having been away for a while, I had forgotten some aspects of my “roots” (yes, you can blame me if you want). Before leaving Toronto, we were told that everything was taken care of by the Koné family in Bamako and that there was nothing to worry about. I knew some members of the Koné family (two of them taking the trip with me). “Taken care of” was really an understatement when we got there. Three cars were waiting for us (there were 5 of us on the trip ; do I hear you saying VIPs?), Abdoul Karim Koné (the one I knew before going to Mali) was waiting for us inside the airport with his usual nice smile, kids were around helping us with our luggages, and above all, there was....the nice weather (what a relief!!!)...

Have you ever been to a place where you feel like “how in the world did I get here?” That's how I am feeling now as I am writing this blog in the heat (I will take it anytime) of the beautiful city of Bamako, capital city of the Republic of Mali (West Africa). The journey started 2 years ago when two of my co-workers told me that they were going to Africa, in a project that they initiated 2 years prior to our conversation. I wanted to know more about it. They told me that  it  all started while sharing a cup of coffee;they thought about going to Africa just for fun. The fun became a dream: to make a difference in kids'lives. For 2 long years they  saved money with all intentions focused on going. This time, they were ready to go. Everything was ready. What could I say? I am the kind of guy that likes to plan things. But while planning, these people were doing. To tell  you  the truth : I was both mad and inspired. Mad because they were doing something I was planning to do for  ...