A year living in France. That’s bound to affect a person, right? All it did was lead me to the blindingly obvious conclusion that I couldn’t continue with my profession of 25 years. So I quit law to write a book. I should have figured all this out a LONG time ago. Or dared to do it…..it wasn’t a money thing, although money is important (if you don’t have any). What held me back was fear, insecurity, depression. And now to make this a happy ending, I just have to finish my book! At the risk of sounding all Deepak Chopra, here’s a list, in no particular order, of all the positives that came from my “year in provence”:

I avoided talking to any lawyers for a year.

I lived happily without a smartphone interrupting me while I was doing something more fun than speaking on the phone (which is everything).

I travelled across Europe with kids old enough to appreciate it.

I learned how to break into a public phone in Amsterdam (faithful blog readers will know about this one).

I walked everywhere, slowed down, reflected.

I gave my kids a real education, and gave them huge confidence.

I became more relaxed, not so anal, a bit more patient.

I cleared our North Van home of clutter, pared down our possessions, learned to let go.

I learned a lot about Canada by living in France (I already knew about the substandard bread).

I think about and appreciate food much more.

I happily lived with less, lived more simply.

I realized that I don’t care about possessions.

I spent a whole year driving my Peugeot in a huge video game without getting killed.

I perfected the art of doing nothing.

I learned to give FULL attention to every task.

I solidified an already solid marriage.

I avoided working until 75 (the average retirement age of British Columbia lawyers).

I decided what my perfect life would be, and then made it (to learn how to monetize it is a different story…but then I don’t want to travel in circles where people use the word “monetize”).

I realized WHY the law wasn’t right for me (part of it was being a big-picture guy in a world of weasel words and exclusionary clauses).

I learned not to care what others thought (but I want you to like my website and read it every day!).

I learned what was important in my life, what I valued.

I sat for a year on my terrasse, looking at a Provençal valley, listening to birds and cigales, and thinking.

I found the courage to completely change my life.

I learned to not be afraid to think big.

I learned to just let go.

I became comfortable with embracing change.

I learned to look forward, with no regrets.

I became brave enough to choose the non-paying or low-paying career path (that bravery has a direct relationship to the level of my wife’s patience).

I think I’ve found my passion….but maybe I haven’t, and that is still OK.

I don’t have to pretend anymore.

I have an “examined life” (in fact, I’ve examined the hell out of it).

I better appreciate my friends who support me (emotionally, not financially, although contributions are welcome).

I better appreciate what I have.

I went to France a lawyer…..and came back a person. At least something more closely resembling the person I want to be. The jury is still out on how that’s going to work out.