My Ireland Awakening

You have to wonder what the world would be like if the people in every country were as nice as the folks in Ireland.  I've never been to a place where every single person walking down the street looked up to say hello. Not because its polite but because they want to & they are interested. There was a general feeling of happiness & contentment all around.  It's no wonder people love to visit there.  We've all heard the expression "stop and smell the flowers.". This is the Irish way...they don’t talk about it, they live it. It made me “stop” and think about my life and my country.  Our country seems to be out of control with being stressed, rushing to fit it all in and our insatiable craving for instant gratification.  We miss so much living this way. 

Taking this trip has really refreshed my energy and creative side.  When you’re stressed out, the best thing you can do is take a vacation to rejuvenate your creative juices. I know we all know this but so many times we forget and don’t make the time.  This trip was confirmation for me how balance in a person’s life makes all the difference, it makes a happier society just like Ireland.  There are times when I feel institutionalized in the studio. Ireland was my awakening to not let that happen...to step out and enjoy what is around me.

I got a chance to see a good client and friend when I was there.  His name is Alastair McDermott.  He had hired me a few years ago to do a voiceover on a fairly large project.  We met in Dublin on my first night and we had a fantastic time.  It was great meeting him in person!  One of the most rewarding things about my industry and working with people all over the world, is the opportunity to meet them face to face. We had a blast watching Rugby and I am now officially addicted to another sport! Thank you Alastair!

Galway was a spiritual experience.  A beautiful part of the country.  The air was crisp, the scenery was breathtaking and the music was passionate!  Some of these pubs were packed on Sunday and Monday night!  One of my favorite hot spots was the legendary “Quays” pub, where we met some wonderful people from seven different countries and watched six crazy talented bands rock the lights out!  Galway was my favorite part of the trip.

We have all witnessed times where we have gone somewhere and felt like we were there before.  This is how I felt in Ireland.  It was the strangest case of deja vu I have ever experienced.  After soaking it in, it felt like a place where everything in my life started to make sense.  There was something magical in the air.  I was thinking differently and not taking life for granted.  Perhaps it had something to do with the beauty in the area and all the wonderful, deep conversations I had with so many kindhearted folks.

Thank you Ireland!

A special thanks to longtime friend, Sean Barnard for making this trip so enjoyable and for showing me the town where his Great, Great, Great Grandfather had lived.  Thanks to Alastair for taking so much time out of his schedule to hang out with us and special thanks to Miram Sadlier Barry for taking care of us at “The Old Bank B & B” in Bruff!