As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in a house just off the beach in Lincoln City, OR. I can hear the surf’s rhythmic roar in the distance and the ocean breeze as it gently weaves its way through the trees. I’ve barely looked at a newspaper for four days, I’ve hardly checked the news online, and the even more beautiful thing is that I don’t much care. The world seems to be carrying on quite nicely without me, and the less I know, the better I’m feeling. Yeah, I’ve kinda checked out of the world for a few days, and I’m discovering that it’s a pretty easy and relaxing thing to do.
My girlfriend and I came to the coast from a wedding in eastern Washington, and over the past few days, we’ve driven some 800+ miles through some amazingly beautiful country. I’ve been able to reconnect with my sense of awe over what a beautiful part of the country I’m blessed to live in and, for at least a few days, stop concerning myself so much with what the future holds. It’s been an opportunity for me to spend some time with a lot of people who will, with any luck, becoming important parts of my life as time goes by. I’ve been able to reach out as people have reached out to me, and it’s been good to recognize that, when people meet me and get to know me, they invariably like me. That probably seems elementary to most of y’all, but for me it’s a big (and long overdue) step. Cue my inner Stuart Smalley….
Over the past few weeks, I’ve gone from a place of pain, anger, and loss to one of peace, happiness, and yes, even love. I’ve been fortunate in so many respects, none moreso that in having my eyes opened to the reality that when one door is slammed in your face, others can and often do open. It’s a matter of being open to possibilities and not spending so much time in my own head that I lose touch with the reality that this world really is filled with good people willing to give of themselves as they welcome you into their world.
I find myself in a place where I’ve been given the opportunity, and the freedom, to pursue my dream. Instead of trying to juggle aspects of my life as I look for a “job,” I can look at writing as my job and pursue it, not as an avocation but as a vocation, with the belief that somewhere out there lies success. In my case, “success” means being able to make a living stringing together complete sentences. It’s surprising what can happen when someone believes completely in what you want to do. It’s even more amazing what happens when you surround yourself with people willing to accept you for who you are and what you have to offer.
By the time you read this, I’ll be back in Portland…which certainly isn’t a bad thing by any means. Still, after being away from home for a few days, getting back into the normal day-to-day rhythm of life feels as if it’s going to be a bit of a challenge. Then again, stepping out of that rhythm can sometimes being away can have a way of helping one realize how truly blessed he is….
