quest to explore the world inside and outside
of ourselves to learn to live more thought-
fully. Horizons definitely broadened, and
resilience definitely developed in ourselves
as well as our children! But, we think it is fair
to say that practicing the martial arts helped
get us started—it took a certain amount of
breadth and resilience just to walk out the
door. But as we traveled, we all gained access
to more of what the world has to offer us.

Resilience is like a muscle. Use it, and it will
grow. Ignore it, and it will atrophy.

It can be difficult to balance
work with family life. Does
having your children with you
on the road make it easier?
Yes and no. While traveling, we spent an inor-
dinate amount of time together—sometimes
in a cramped bus, or five of us sharing a hotel
room meant for four, or… you get the idea. We
also ate every meal together and held hands
to speak our family credo, which recalls grati-
tude and joy. If anything, the experience really
brought into focus something all of us know:
relationships are not built out of the hours we
spend together but by the quality of the expe-
rience. Time spent in the same room staring
at screens is not the same as time spent
walking and talking. T
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FAMILY FAVORITES
Favorite destination throughout your
travels We’ve been to thirty-two countries in the last
couple of years, and every one has been amazing
in its own way. What really matters is the
experience that you have, and far more important
than political boundaries are connecting with the
people within them.

Favorite martial arts skill
Breathing through breathless times.

Favorite way to spend the weekend together
Definitely hiking. For our family, there is no better way for us to escape all of the other
distractions of life and just be present with each other, ourselves, and the beautiful
world around us.

Favorite international meal
Mongolian Khorkhog, a dish of goat, potatoes, onions, and carrots cooked with stones in a
pot buried in the ground.

Favorite local spot in Alexandria
We’ve always liked Old Towne, having lived there before the kids were born, but since we
aren’t back in the area much anymore, all of our focus is on spending time with the people
that make Alexandria great.

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