Why I Carry a Rock Everywhere I Go

Some people carry a lucky coin, a family photo, a meaningful keepsake, or a cherished memory. I carry a rock. It's an ordinary, small, smooth stone from Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, where my soul feels most at home. To anyone else, it would seem insignificant. To me, it has become something far more important.

Whenever life becomes overwhelming, I find myself drawn back to nature. I watch a blazing sunset, sit beside a lake, listen to waves crashing against the shore, walk in the rain, or stand in the wind as storm clouds roll overhead. The more powerful the weather, the more alive I feel. Nature has become my cathedral. It reminds me that every season has a purpose. Storms pass. Forests recover. Rivers find their way around obstacles. Life adapts, endures, and begins again.

The little rock in my pocket reminds me of where I came from. It reminds me to stay humble, curious, and grateful. Most of all, it reminds me that I am part of something much larger than myself, an infinite universe I am fortunate enough to be part of.

Over the years, I've been privileged to help launch initiatives like CHOICES, the Canada Career Information Partnership, the National Life/Work Centre, The Real Game Series, and the Blueprint for Life/Work Designs. I've worked with remarkable people around the world, and together we've helped millions of young people think differently about their futures. But the rock reminds me that none of those accomplishments matter unless they ultimately improve people's lives. I stroke the stone in my pocket before every big meeting or presentation. It calms me.

As I've been writing The Missing Bridge, I've come to realize that the book isn't really about education, employment, or public policy. It's about helping every young person discover a place where they can contribute their unique gifts to the world with confidence, purpose, and hope.

My Qualicum rock reminds me that the strongest bridges aren't built from steel or concrete. They're built from purpose. And purpose begins when we understand who we are, where we belong, and how we can serve something greater than ourselves. What do you carry in your pocket or in your heart that reminds you of who you are?