A Room With A View

I lived in a lot of towns growing up. Dad was in plastics, and his career took him to some really cool places. One of my favorite spots to live was outside of Springfield, Vermont. I have never seen so much snow! We did a lot of sled riding. I also loved living in Winchester, Virginia. I did a weekly radio show on WINC. Moving can be a huge stressor, especially when you’re young and trying to form lasting friendships. And who really likes getting boxes from the local grocery store and cramming all your belongings into them and carrying them to the moving van?

I had hoped to develop a liking to change. Of seeing things from a different perspective. Instead, I had a hatred for change. The “familiar” escaped me. Later, during my second marriage, I would typically freak out if I came home from work and the living room furniture was moved around. What happened here? I liked my recliner by the window! Despite my disdain for change, at some point I came to appreciate different rooms with a view. I began to accept the unfamiliar as a challenge and not a threat.

So when I saw this Writing 101 assignment, “A room with a view,” I immediately thought about where I’d love to go. I am a voracious reader, and I love to write and journal and blog. I think my favorite place among places is the local public library. We’ve all heard the sayings about how we can expand our horizons and change our viewpoint by reading. About how the library is a window to the world. This is true. I have been a library patron since I was a child. I currently work part-time at the local library. I couldn’t be happier.

My ideal trip would involve time travel. Nothing would make me happier than traveling back in time to visit the library at Alexandria. My imagination runs wild as I think about the materials that would be available. I’m sure the architecture would have been breathtaking. So much to see. So much to learn. I know I live for learning and for experiencing. I’ve been able to accept change in my life lately. Sure, it can still give me reason to pause at times, but it’s something I welcome today more than I did over the years. You see, I’ve had to change. It’s the only thing that has preserved me and allowed me to grow. My anxiety level is much less today than it ever was.

What a blessing to wake up in the morning eager to face the day. Willing to learn. Able to adapt and adjust to my ever-changing environment. I am no longer afraid of change. I see it as instrumental to my growth. Embracing change also allows me to exercise acceptance. And that is the key to all my problems today.