James Martin

Setting a new course.

Sunday 18th May 2025

Life is a funny thing, full of surprises, difficulties and changes.  It sometimes lays the road out before us, a clear and easy route.  Then sometimes it makes us forge ahead in our own, blazing a new and often twisting path. 

As I've grown older, I can indeed testify that no matter which road we find ourselves on, life will often lead us to places we never expected to be, yet at the same time places we seemingly were meant to be.

Each sign post, mile marker, and landmark along the way serves to remind us of how far we've come, and how far we have to go. Admittedly, the end now seems much closer than the beginning. 

That knowledge brings a introspective weight of it's own, to be sure.  It has been my privilege to travel abroad extensively in my lifetime, and I have seen much of the world. I've set foot on every continent except for Antarctica, and visited around sixty different countries.  I've been to all fifty states of my own country.  I've met and spoken to people from all over the world, from all walks of life. 

One insight I've gained in these travels, the one that stands out is this; people are pretty much the same no matter where they are. 

They work to meet their basic needs, just like everyone.  Of course, everyone goes about that differently. But in the end and when it's all boiled down, most of us just want to be happy.  Such a simple thing, yet sometimes very difficult to find. Yet we never quit trying. And the road goes ever onward. 

Some of you are just starting out on the road.  Some of you, like myself, are further along that same road. As you travel along it, may each of you find happiness, may you have enough, and may you find the road ahead smooth and easy. May it take you to the places you wish to be, and to the ones you wish to be with. May you make good friends, experience much, and create cherished memories. 

And if somewhere our paths cross, may we recognize each other as kindred souls in this journey. 

 

 

 

I'm Riding for Men's Health in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride

Saturday 17th May 2025 On Sunday the 18th of May 2025, I'm riding in The Distinguished Gentleman's Ride with fellow men and women across the globe to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer and men's mental health on behalf of Movember. Men die on average 6 years earlier than women and for largely preventable reasons. The number of men that are suffering is growing, and we need to do something about that. So, before I press my tweed and polish my boots, I'm asking you to join me in raising funds and awareness for these causes by donating what you can for this meaningful cause and to help the men we love, live happier and healthier lives.