5 Ways To Find Your Place

Passion.  

Everyone has one.  Some are fortunate to live it out daily in a career that inspires them.  Others explore their passions through their hobbies.  

Merriam Webster says it best:

A strong feeling of enthusiasm for something or about doing something.

Writing is therapy for me.  Whenever I feel overwhelmed and chaotic, I find myself craving the sound of the tap of a keyboard.  This week was a doozy.  The art of mastering life with ease collided at the intersection of busy family life and the pressures of work. So, tonight, I sit.  I sit amongst the crash rubble and assess the damage.  The wreck will be cleaned up and I know in the end, life will resume and all will be ok.  In the meantime, my words flow freely as my thoughts quickly develop into paragraphs.I’m one of the lucky ones.  My passion is simple and translates to any time or place.  Tonight, as I sit, I reflect on the places that have inspired my soul and captured my words.

Intrigue

Assissi, Italy

I sat on a bench that was probably many hundreds of years old.   Quite honestly, I was speechless and that doesn’t happen often.  It started as a pitstop somewhere between Florence and Rome.  I didn’t expect much, but as soon as my feet hit the worn brick roads, I was captivated.  We met a young friar named Brother Michael and he took us for a tour of the basilica.  I didn’t hear a word he said.  I was distracted.

• Monks Singing
• Sunshine through Stained-Glass
• Alter of Worship

I found my words in the basement of that beautiful building.  I could hear the soft sound of the monks’ chants in the background.  As I sat in a pew, surrounded by candlelight, I was overcome with a sense of wonder.  I took advantage of the rest of the day and captured my words.  My trip to Italy happened at a time when my life had become stale.  I had two kids under the age of three and I had lost my spark.  Passion is often birthed or rekindled from intrigue.  Surrounded with unfamiliar things, I found in Assissi a desire to reconnect with a part of me that had grown idle. 

Peace

 GoForth Creek

My decision to make Tennessee my permanent home was largely influenced by the beautiful landscape.  I have been going to GoForth Creek for over 20 years and it still remains one of my most favorite places to enjoy God’s creation.

• Rock Surfing
• Creek Babbling
• ENO Hanging

Every passion has its place.  For me, there is no sweeter spot than in the comfort of a hammock listening to water trickle over rocks.  Every spring, I head up to the river for one purpose…to find my voice.  Every artist has a muse.  Mine can be found hanging between the trees nestled by a creek off the Ocoee River.

Motivation

 Mapleton Forest Treehouse 

I’ve always wanted a treehouse.  Growing up, we had barns, sheds, attics, and forts and I took full advantage of them.  But a treehouse seemed to be the perfect hiding spot - a place to focus on my writing in seclusion.  I was thrilled when my father-in-law decided to build one in our backyard.

• Paper Lanterns
• Lounge Chairs
• Rope Ladder

I live in a small house.  Whenever I need to get something finished, I head to my “office”.  The kids’ treehouse has become a place that forces me to focus on my work without distractions. Passion mixed with drive is a potent thing.  The challenges of writing seem to go away with a little focus and motivation to get it done.

Comfort

 Howe Creek

I can’t help it.  People and places often go hand-in-hand.  That’s why Howe Creek makes the list.  The people there are as comfortable for me as my favorite jeans.  A short boat ride from Wrightsville Beach and miles away from any trouble or stress sits JoJo’s Dock.  

• Lifelong Family Friends
• Ocean Sunsets
• Dock Fishing

“Joe” is the father of one of my dearest friends.  Even after his death, his home still remains a place to gather amongst friends.  Passion is fueled by emotion.  On any given night, my writing is inspired by fresh fish tacos, a killer sunset over Howe Creek and long conversations amongst friends. 

Sentiment

 Austin Road

There’s nothing flashy about a diving board.  It’s a slab of wood on metal brackets.  On Austin Road, it’s even less impressive than that.  At any given point, the wood can give way to age or use and split right down the middle.  The same can be said about the row boat in the corner of the pond and the swing set built by my grandfather’s hands.

• Summertime Swimming
• Lightning Bug Catching
• Crickets Chirping

I have a spot there that’s nestled under a willow tree at the base of the sledding hill.  As peaceful and calm as it sounds, Austin Road can quickly become chaotic as a flood of memories takes over my thoughts.  Passion stemmed from sentiment has a depth like no other.  I have sat at the base of that tree for as long as I can remember and it is there that my writing takes it most pure form.  

You are worth it.  Look around and find those places that provoke passion and make you want to do your thing, whatever your “thing” is.  Whether you find it through intrigue, peace, motivation, comfort, or sentiment, the world is waiting for you to shine.

meg-at-the-end 

I'm taking a minute at the conclusion of each post to shed some light on just exactly what makes each writing staff member a wonderful part of meghancobble.com.  Check out the goodness and strength that Autumn brings to this online team from my heart in the image below. Her favorite jelly bean is Jelly Belly's strawberry cheesecake.  Head on over to the shop and nab a bag o' writers to grab yourself some writing inspiration. Words are most certainly worth it.  

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