As many of you already know, my wife and I spent a week exploring Alaska in August, and I wanted to take time and share with you how the adventure inspired me.

Alaska was truly amazing.  I think it may be my new favorite state. 

Being over twice as big as Texas, yet having less than 700,000 residents, the state is amazingly untouched.  Throughout our trip, we had so many opportunities to enjoy the natural wilderness.
 
We watched black bears fishing for salmon in the river less than 25 yards away from us. 

We saw over 30 humpback whales do something called "bubble netting".  Essentially the whales form a circle under the ocean and start swimming in circles while blowing bubbles creating a "net" of bubbles.  That net confuses the herring, allowing the whales to slowly bring them to the surface where they dine on them.  It is an amazing thing to watch.  
 
We also watched Glaciers calve.  I felt like I was in a National Geographic film as I watched the natural phenomenon. 
 
While I do not claim to be a "tree hugger", being in the great wilderness made me contemplate how we need to take care of this planet and preserve what we have for future generations.  It also inspired me to do something I have not done in nearly 20 years, write poetry.

To me, it is amazing how being in the right setting can bring out hidden talents you almost forgot about.  I'd like to share with you some of the poems I wrote.

I also encourage you to take time each day to find something that inspires you to do something new or to bring out a hidden talent you have not used in awhile.  We often let ourselves get bogged down in the day-to-day grind of work, taking care of the family and participating in all the other activities we are involved in.  Sometimes we forget the things that truly make us feel special.
 
I encourage you to find your hidden talents again and share them with others who will support you in developing those talents. 
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To read some of Dr. Tim's poems inspired by his trip to Alaska, click here.