Finding my niche

I’m tucked away in a corner of one of my local libraries. Literally tucked away, around a bend in the wall, in a section called “Local History” and surrounded by old looking books housed in retro glass cabinets. Although still connected to the hustle and bustle of people, my spot is relatively isolated, with an older style chair and low table for company. Occasionally the murmur of soft voices pierce my consciousness, but otherwise, for the moment, it is just me and my thoughts.

The Local History section of Newport Beach's Central Library

It’s funny how in a world so vast and spacious we humans need to find our niches. Those little pockets of space that we can claim for ourselves, burrow into and get comfortable within a smaller microcosm of our universe. Part of the moving process involved finding such spaces to call my own. Making the unfamiliar known, and the unknown familiar. 

Perhaps my lovely readers you may have noticed my blogposts suddenly stopped. I underwent a period of extreme silence even as I was in the midst of relating my cross-country adventures.

“What happened to Part 2 of Nashville?” you might be wondering to yourself. “Didn’t she promise to keep us posted on all the fun details?”

And I have not forgotten my promise, still plan to give you Part 2 of my birthday adventure in Nashville, plus all the other travel goodies in sumptuous detail.

But first I needed to STOP and process all the changes and stimuli entering my microcosm of this beautiful world so that I could relate to you all that was good and happy and wonderful about this cross country move. For the move itself was truly overwhelming in the most positive of ways.

There was the adventure of driving this gorgeous country by myself. Times when I drove through areas so desolate looking that I wondered whether there were towns or just random pockets of civilization. The miracle of observing topography which seemed to change vastly hour by hour, and sunrises and sunsets so breathtaking that it was hard to keep my eyes on the road.

Sunrise and Sunset...Day 1 of my Journey...

​There was the arrival in California to my (hallelujah) gorgeous new residence which had been found, secured, and committed to online, without actually taking a physical tour of the building. The sleeping on an air mattress for weeks while deciding on a bed, how much furniture I could afford, and whether the SigO might like what I picked out. (He did of course.) The excitement of living on my own for a few weeks, coming home to only myself for the first time in years. And the reconnecting with the SigO when he arrived to our new home.

All my worldly goods...on the floor of my new apartment...

The view from my new studio apartment..a lovely tranquil courtyard...

There was the complete assault to my shopping senses of being confronted with stores at every corner instead of having to drive for an hour and half to shop where I liked. So many pretty, sparkling, colorful, new items at every turn. (Helpful tip: Window shopping is free; when tempted leave the credit card at home.) Then the fabulous realization that, although I enjoyed looking, I didn’t truly want or need most of the things I saw. So they stayed in their homes in the stores.

There was the (blessedly) abundance of interviews to attend immediately after I arrived, with barely enough time to do laundry from my trip. Then the decision of which offer to accept, which place would I fit best, be happy, and be of service to my employer and community.

​There was the crisis of first choosing a lovely place, but the wrong fit. Then the resolution of being given another wonderful opportunity at a place that was truly the right place for me. The realization that I needed to be working at a place where I could not only grow professionally, but also be “doing good” with the work I was producing. The embracing of my idealistic self who wants to make the world a better place, even if it is in a small way.

Occasionally fortune cookies get it right....

​There was the reconnecting with old friends, developing casual acquaintances into dear friends, and the making of new friends. 

There was the delicious opportunity to eat exclusively and abundantly vegan wherever I chose.

Avocados...one of nature's most perfectly delicious foods...

There was the exploration of my new community and the surrounding areas by car and on foot.
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There was the discovery that I enjoy quiet time and solo activities as much as I treasure my social times and activities.

There was the spiritual reconnection with the universe around me, and my heartfelt gratitude at this opportunity to be where I needed to be, at the exact moment I needed to be here in my life.
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And after all those things…and more…there was finally the space, time, and desire to start writing again. Just as suddenly as all the new and amazing had begun its assault on my senses, the feeling of familiarity swept in and brought me the peace I needed to continue this part of my journey.

For a brief moment, I knew how the bird felt to fly...

​So I thank you my friends, family, kind strangers, for your patience while I settled in to my space and niche here in gorgeous California. I’m ready to write and share my adventures with you, and hope you find them as enjoyable to read, as I did to live them.

Have you had any adventures involving changes - big and small - recently? Feel free to share! I’m always listening…with smiles…
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