She loved to read and became so lost in her books it was as if she left her bedroom and stepped into the very places those stories took place. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of faraway places. She envisioned herself traveling around the globe and even outer space. Her dreams were those of a child with no regard for schedules or finances, only visions of new worlds to be discovered, adventures around every corner, and meeting people so different from her they would forever touch her soul. The mountains she’d climb, the seas she’d cross, and the dirt roads she’d leave her footprint on would be experiences she would carry close to her heart and like an old weathered album pull out to relive those travels of years gone by.
Dreams are what life is made of, but sometimes life has other plans. I still have those dreams but haven’t traveled much outside the United States. The blue markers on the map show where I’ve lived. I’ve moved a few times, but all within the United States except for Puerto Rico where I currently live. It’s a United States Territory.
I’ve spent a lifetime dreaming of all the places I wish to experience, yet my words have reached farther than my wildest dreams. In the four short months I’ve been blogging, my words have reached every yellow marker on this map. I started blogging as a way to share my writing, my stories, my random thoughts. I envisioned a small group of folks, mostly family (thank you mom) and friends, reading my posts and maybe clicking the like button or leaving a comment.
Instead, my words have floated their way across oceans, climbed mountains, twisted and turned along winding dirt roads, zipped along busy highways, fluttered through open windows and made their way to living rooms, hotel rooms, kitchens, studies, offices, and bedrooms, backlit on person after person’s computer screen. Thousands of pairs of eyes have focused on my words, read them, felt them, and hopefully were touched by them in some way.
My words have accomplished the stuff of my dreams. I haven’t crossed oceans to faraway lands or climbed mountains, or left my footprint on narrow dirt roads. I don’t have a weathered album, real or in my mind, of travels to relive. Yet, I look at this map and smile a little. My words have reached so many so different from myself, and in so doing have ignited something in these readers that has compelled them to click that like button or leave a comment, each time touching my soul across the distance in the only way possible.
Thank you yellow markers for opening your homes to me! Thank you Google Maps for my weathered travel album. And thank you WordPress for a first class ticket around the globe!
Sky is the limit: where would you recommend I travel and why?
If you would like to participate in the challenge or read more about it, check it out here >>>>>> Map it Out
I juts found out about this feature, i think it’s amazing to see how far words can travel! Quite motivational and inspiring!
http://www.mihaelagruia.com
I agree, blogging is an amazing way to reach people across the world. I never dreamed someone in Russia would read my blog, it blows my mind! I did a lot of traveling while growing up and the number one place I would recommend is Italy (hence my Beyond post, lol). There’s nowhere like Rome. Congrats on your book contract!
I would recommend you travel to Australia! They speak your language but it’s Oh So different here and everyone loves Australians so you are guaranteed a friendly welcome.
I’ve always wanted to go to Australia! I really think I would love it there, so much so I would want to stay forever!
You indeed have MUCH to smile about… Gratifying… Satisfying… and fulfilling.
Thank you. 🙂
That was beautifully descriptive!
Thank you!
Are you writing a book? Because you should be!!!
You just made my day! 🙂 Thank you for the encouragement. I actually just signed a contract with a publisher. My first book will be a collection of my stories and such, some of which I’ve shared here. I’m super excited to hold my book in my hands one day.
GET OUT!!!!!!! That’s fantastic! CONGRATULATIONS! I can’t wait to get a copy!
There should be a blue and yellow mark on Queretaro, Mexico!!! “You might say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one (my Sunshine is too)!”
Sunshine, the blue marker would mean I’ve lived there and we both know if that was the case I would have never left! 🙂
I really like the stats page with the maps in WP…same idea. It’s thrilling–and so global! 🙂
Yes! I like that too, but it was eye-opening for me to place each individual marker. Something to look at on those days when I doubt myself. 😉
Great word picture! Love the image of words floating and traveling because that’s what they do in the context of blogging. Our words cross all kinds of divides and terrains. On a side note, this post did not show up in my Reader? I’m not sure what’s going on with my WordPress account. Good thing I check my favorite sites daily! 🙂
It really is neat to see it each marker on the map and know our words have traveled that far.
As for the reader, you haven’t been showing up on mine in some time. I just go to your blog as well. Glad I’m one of your favorites too! 🙂
Your description of your words “fluttering ….etc” was genius. Enjoyed the post. -John
Thank you. I appreciate your visit! 🙂
Clever! You’re right. Blogging is a great way to travel.
Absolutely!
Very clever analogy! You should be very proud of yourself; keep up the good work!
Thank you! I’m enjoying your posts as well. You should be proud of yourself too…stay on track! You got this!
So awesome! It’s exactly the way to look at it-:)
It was really great to see it laid out like that. I check the stats, but to see those markers all over the world was eye opening. 🙂
Amazing, isn’t it!!!!! 🙂
It really is, and so cool to see it all over the map like that!