With less than 4 weeks remaining, the beginning of my adventure fast approaches!

It's now 2012. In just 29 days I depart our beloved shores for who really knows how long. I've handed out quite a few cards already with the blog address on it, so I figured it's time for my first post. And what better thing to write about than my thoughts on people and share the approach I am taking.

It appears that many things divide people: different cultures, religions, political pursuasions, appearances, and of course, language. But really it's only one thing that truly divides us: fear. And so, with that in mind, I believe that there are several things that connect people despite all these apparent differences. I believe food brings people together. Americans travel thousands of miles each year to carve a turkey together for Thanksgiving. Australians crack a tinny and throw some lamb, steaks, seafood or whatever is going on the barbie on Australia Day. There are examples of the 'breaking of bread together' in every single culture. Almost anywhere you go on Earth a valued guest is honoured with a feast or lovingly prepared meal. You can go all the way from Buckingham Palace to an outback camp to a hidden jungle village to see this is the case. So - food brings people together, and one thing I'm really looking forward to is experiencing new tastes and sensations, and new ways of preparing and sharing food.

Smiles also bring people together. Sounds a bit hippy-ish, but think about it; no matter where you go on earth a smile is a sign of good will. So smile more. I fail at this regularly, so I'm looking in the mirror as I say that. It's a fallacy that it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile - you engage several more muscles smiling. However, the difference in the effect it has on both the person who smiles and the person the smile is received by is infinitely more valuable than that of a frown.

Acceptance also brings people together, and breaks down barriers. You don't have to like another person's position, but accept their right to that position, and walls may start to fall.

Finally, the willingness to try and understand. None of us will ever truly understand everyone's beliefs, practices or set of morals from around the world. But to simply TRY and understand goes a very long way. Everywhere you turn you seem to hear about all the bad in the world. All the wars, the hatred, the danger. But really, the world is a very beautiful place. And I can't wait to experience such incredible beauty as found in the landscapes and, more importantly, the people around this precious planet of ours. My goal will be to do my best to break down the walls of fear, both within me and in the situations I find myself in. To touch human nature itself, as often as possible, in as many forms and variations that I'm fortunate enough to come upon.

And with this approach in mind, I look forward with great eagerness and excitement to 4 weeks from now when it all truly begins....