A Walk Through Time ... Ronnie K’s Life Journey
Preface: About My Journey
Through the tapestry of my eclectic life, I’ve encountered many crossroads ... moments that deeply challenged, transformed, and shaped me. Each experience offered its own awakening, revealing emotional truths and spiritual insights that became cornerstones of my personal growth.
These awakenings gave birth to JourneyBetween.org ... a space where I share the wisdom gathered along the way through the JourneyBetween classes. The lessons I've learned while navigating my own path have deepened my respect for the mystery and complexity of life ... and strengthened my commitment to supporting others in discovering their own inner truth.
Part 1: Morning & Afternoon of My Life ... A Life in Motion
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1968–1969:
Film Editor at WGN TV Studios in Chicago for two years — a formative beginning in media and storytelling.
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1979–1983:
Transitioned into technology and became the Chief Technical Architect of one of the world’s first computerized, online global distribution systems. I later lectured across the U.S. and abroad, sharing this pioneering design and its potential to reshape how we connect and do business.
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1983–1999:
Founded a North American computer consulting firm, overseeing all aspects of operations for 16 years. Starting as a solo venture, the firm grew to 35 software engineers, with offices in Minneapolis and Phoenix, AZ. Our clients included Fortune 1000 companies and government agencies. I sold the firm in 1999.
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2002–2012:
Launched a B2C internet company offering consumers personalized car reports based on the make, model, and year of their car. Over 11 years, the company grew to over 600,000 registered members before it was sold.
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2006–2014:
Board Chair of Divorce Recovery, Inc. During my nine-year involvement, I facilitated more than 30 weekly support groups (each lasting 8–10 weeks), directly served 100's of individuals navigating the emotional challenges of divorce.
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2012–2014:
President of the Southern Arizona chapter of the International Coach Federation, representing a community of over 40 executive and life coaches.
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1999–2014:
Served on the boards of several leading nonprofit organizations in Southern Arizona, including a large congregation and a regional community foundation.
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2017–2020:
Volunteered as an overnight host at the Ashland Winter Shelter, offering care and presence to members of the homeless community.
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2023–2025:
Presenting Personal Exploration classes at OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) through Southern Oregon University ... creating space for reflection, dialogue, and connection.
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A Note from My Heart
My personal belief system is metaphysical in nature ... rooted in spiritual growth, emotional truth, and an ongoing dialogue between the heart and soul.
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And the journey continues…
Part 2: Evening of My Life ... A Life-Altering Event
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But in the summer of 2015, I experienced a total emotional breakdown and too often found myself curled up in a ball, lost in deep sobbing and unbearable emotional pain.
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In search of relief, I checked myself into the hospital, where I was diagnosed with PTSD. I stayed for eight soothing and healing days, supported by medication to quiet the storm inside.
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But after leaving the hospital, I made a vow ... not only to survive this most challenging life-threatening event, but to learn how to thrive. And I would do it without relying on medication.
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In 2017, at the tender age of 70, I sold or gave away everything I owned, packed my car, left Tucson after 22 years, and began driving up the California coast ... a homeless soul with no final destination, just a longing to begin again.
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About a week into this “crazy” adventure, I found myself camping at Shasta Lake National Campgrounds in Northern California. I stayed there several days, resting, reflecting, and listening.
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Then, on the morning of the fourth day, during meditation, a quiet epiphany rose within me ... a voice, not loud, but unmistakable, gently whispered, "Listen to the Wisdom of your Soul." And then again..."Listen to the Wisdom of your Soul."
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At first, I didn’t understand. But somehow, I knew it was real. And slowly, almost mystically, I began to practice this listening ... every day.
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Since that morning, I’ve come to embrace not just the listening, but more importantly, trusting. "Listening to the Wisdom of my Soul" is no longer a practice... it’s who I am.
Epilogue: Final Thoughts
This most challenging life event I had ever experienced ... became the beginning of my understanding of "The Journey Between My Heart and Soul."
Looking back now on my arrival in Ashland ... it felt like stepping into the Twilight Zone ... only in the best way possible. I used to believe places like this only existed in the movies ... and I am so grateful to have discovered they exist in real life too.
Baruch Hashem
P.S. People often ask me, “So what caused your PTSD?” For a long time, I didn’t know how to answer. But recently, I found the words ...
“My barrel full of life’s disappointments overflowed and broke.
And what was in that barrel ... was my precious heart.”
And now you know too.