Knowing my place

If there is one thing that living in a vehicle teaches you about yourself, it is your place in the world. Be it social or geographic, we tend to identify ourselves with a singular place that we call our own. Where we work and live tend to be our top 'places'. As a vehicle live aboard, the views change all the time. Yes, your actual home is the same and goes with you everywhere. But, there is still a lack of feeling like you have a place to call home. The beauty of not having those conventional and predictable places in one's life is that it challenges you to discover what 'home' truly is to you.

One of my favorite quotes is by Naguib Mahfouz who writes, 'Home is not where you are born; home is where all your attempts to escape cease'. I definitely agree with that.

I have hundreds of conversations with strangers every year. Every now and then the conversation about what I'm doing with my life gets deep. I love it when that happens! When it does, the person talking to me is usually mining for one of two things- inspiration or explanation. The inspiration conversation is always fun and easy. The explanation talk usually gets emotional pretty quickly for me, and I'm not shy about it. People looking for explanation usually assume I gave up on life and am running from something I don't want to face. Despite the emotion that accompanies that conversation, it is always tremendously affirming for me that I am definitely not running from anything. I'm willing to bet very few think I'm running after having that talk with me.

Despite not having a fixed address, I have definitely found my place. It is not a geographical spot or singular group of people. My place is found wherever it is that I can love and gift. It is in those moments that my heart is full and happy with how I expend my energy. I am living in a way that fills my heart, so I always feel that belonging. Yes, sometimes I feel a bit adrift as I step from one scene to another. But, I quickly find my heart in what I'm doing and the people, or person, I am with.

I live a very lean and simple life. But, it is so rich with experience, that I feel a wealthy man. I've been doing this for nearly a year and a half now. As my second winter in Hella begins, I've never felt warmer or more blessed. I definitely don't feel any desire to escape my life. Sleep comes each night with deep gratitude that I took this leap. I wish the same for you. If that isn't how you feel as you lay your head down at day's end, I encourage you to make time to examine your life and your heart. To take steps to find your 'place'. Do so courageously and out loud. Write it all down so you can soak it in over time. Your time here is finite and precious. Don't throw it away on illusion, assumptions or expectations. Find your fire, stoke it, and share it with the world!