Last night, I went by my friend Woody's house to spend a little quality time with him and his girlfriend Michelle. When it came time to go home, I decided that instead of taking a cab home - I would walk - and it took me five hours to get there.

I don't walk too often, but when I do, it gives me the opportunity to reflect on my life and clear my head. And considering that it was very late into the night - no one would be calling me on my cellphone - so I was able to walk and think without any interruptions.

As I made my way down the quiet moonlit streets, I thought about all that I had been through so far this year and how amazed I was that I actually survived it. I thought about what lies ahead in my life, and how happy I am that none of my future plans include negativity or drama - and I thought about how happy I was that I was able to enjoy this quiet moment by myself - and that I was able to be alone with myself and my thoughts.

My travels took me to Marine Park, which is a very large and very popular park in the middle of a residential Brooklyn neighborhood. During the day, the park is filled with baseball teams, people enjoying picnics, and those wishing to take the sun. But at night - the park is a quiet serene planetarium complete with it's own starlit sky surrounded by a circle of trees an acre wide. I made my way to the middle of that circle of trees and stood there, hearing nothing but the wind blowing. It was at that moment when I realized how important this walk home was - because for the first time in a very long time - my mind was completely clear.

I have so many things going on in my life that my mind is often like a television that constantly switches channels. Random thoughts are constantly flowing through my head like a speeding river that I sometimes feel like I am listening to a radio I cannot shut off. But last night, my mind was finally clear. I remember actually bursting out laughing because I was so amazed that my mind was clear. Just being able to be in such a serene setting without anyone or anything to distract me was the perfect place to clear my mind and focus on absolutely nothing.

After a while of enjoying the silence, I continued my journey and made my way to a local pub for a cold one. It felt so nice to enjoy the nightlife by myself and go wherever I wanted. It is not often that I am left completely alone - even when I am alone - so this was a true treat. When I got there, I got a cold Bud, and sat in the corner of the bar, and spent some time observing the others that were doing the same. Being a writer, I often observe people and analyze them. From the bartender, to the guy singing karaoke, to the couple next to me, I simply sat back and watched these complete strangers, and wondered if they were doing the same to me.

After I left the bar, I made my way to Emmons Avenue where I was hoping to get some late night seafood, but had to instead opt for French Onion Soup at my local diner. After two hot bowls, I paid the check, went upstairs - and called it a night.

When someone is under such constant demand as myself, it is lovely to be able to step off of the radar screen and out from under the spotlight once in a while to spend some quality time with the most important person in my life - me.