First of all, thank you for all of the positive feedback I've received on Facebook.  Many of you said that you liked the blog and felt like I was off to a good start.  Please don't hesitate to leave comments in this forum as well.  Thank you!

Let me go back to the comment about being a good start.  I realize that attaining positive mental health is a long and ongoing process.  As I thought about the comments that I made in my first post regarding the genesis and inspiration for this blog, I realized that I need to take it further; to be more specific about the obstacles that I (we?) face in the journey toward happiness.

The bottom line for me is that I am constantly stuggling with depression.  No, that's not true.  I am paralyzed by depression.  It impacts every facet of my life - career, relationships, outlook, hope for the future, friendships, family, etc.  It is a huge black cloud and I know that I am not the only one who faces this demon on a daily basis.  One of the reasons I started this blog is to let people know they are not alone in this battle.  I don't know how I can help them - or if they will be able to help me, but I've long maintained that I am an open book.  Well, talking about my innermost fears and shortcomings is one way to prove that I truly am an open book.  (I'm not sure I like the word 'prove' in that sentence... I don't think I have anything to prove to anyone, but I am just going to let it all hang out like I always seem to do.)  To quote one of my favorite philosophers - Popeye - "I yam what I yam."  In the final analysis, I like who I am, I just don't know how to... 

How to what?  Live?  Be happy?  Excel?  Handle pressure, rejection, confusion, uncertainty?  I just don't quite know how to put my finger on 'my problem.'

I've still got a few more weeks on the road and many miles to travel with nothing to do but think.  To date, this trip has been filled with deadlines, hustle and bustle, and places to be.  The next few legs of the trip will be mine to do what I want, when I want.  And, for me, when I'm on a motorcycle road trip, that means taking my time.  Looking at things.  Taking pictures.  Writing in my journal.  Just taking it all in and thinking.  So, I may sort things out yet on this trip, but as I said previously, this is a continual process.  It would be unrealistic to think that this trip will resolve things - I know better than to make a pronouncement like that.  No, this trip will be a small part of the journey on the road to mental health.

Let me see where I am so far in this blogging process...  I've talked a little bit about why I'm here and what I hope to gain from the trip.  I've acknowledged that solving my problems is a complex and ongoing process.  And I've attempted to directly identify the root of my issues - depression.

But for now, I'm going to take a nap.  One of my symptoms is chronic fatigue.  Of course, nothing is ever easy with me.  In addition to depression, I'm also afflicted with Sleep Apnea, and really don't get restorative sleep at night.  I've nodded off at least 5 times while typing this, so I'd better wrap this up before I fall asleep for good and lose all of this wonderful, insightful prose...  :)

I'll be back.  I promise.  I don't know when and I don't know what I'll have to say, but I promise you it will be the truth.

All the best.