by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay.)
The road is packed with travelers. Lines are snaking through the airports. Baggage claims are bustling.
Where are you traveling, this Thanksgiving?
And is your journey a literal one, or otherwise?
When I think of the things for which I’m most grateful, in my life, journeys come to mind.
The actual physical ones include some great memories. I’ve written before about our annual trips from New York to Delaware, to visit my grandmother. As well as the summertime stays in Ocean City, New Jersey. Not to mention the wintry morning I boarded a plane that took me, along with six fellow college students, from New York to Paris!
But there are also the “journeys” from one place to another, in life.
(Royalty-free image by Brigitte Werner from Pixabay.)
A different type of “travel”
The ones for which I am most grateful have involved traveling towards my dreams.
At the age of six, growing up in New York, I knew, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I would someday live in California.
And more decades ago than I like to admit, that dream came to fruition. With two years spent living in San Francisco, and then quite a few more in various locations in Southern California.
(Royalty-free image by Benjamin Harwich from Pixabay.)
A second dream-journey was the one involved in becoming a professional broadcaster.
Going from a dead-end office job to on-air work was a slow process. Tuition seemed steep, for the broadcasting school that would ultimately provide the necessary training. And the courses themselves involved practice sessions, vocal clinics and hours of studio production.
It was one of the best experiences of my life–and led to a career I wouldn’t have traded for anything, even with all its ups and downs. Not one minute of one day was ever boring!
The journey continues
(Royalty-free image by Nowaja from Pixabay.)
And an unexpected “journey” led to my becoming an independent content creator and professional speaker.
Consolidation in the broadcast industry had led to limited opportunities. One evening, at a professional event, I faced the fact that I could either stay behind the scenes forever or until layoffs–or see what could happen if I upgraded my skills and went independent.
The result is this blog, as part of my small business.
More often than not, I get to talk with artists, authors and event coordinators about their creative journeys. Some of the most exciting stories they share, are about going from a place, mentally, of doubting their abilities, to knowing they can create works that inspire people, bring smiles and add joy to others’ lives.
What journey or journeys are you taking, this Thanksgiving of 2024? May your travels be safe, and your dream-journeys take you somewhere you love.