Saturday shopping

A busy Saturday morning










This morning I went grocery shopping. So, you ask? Well I haven't been grocery shopping on a Saturday morning since I left Brisbane. And after I did the groceries, I went to the pharmacy and the newagency. In other words I did typical end-of-week stuff in my new environment. It felt so familiar - in and out of the car, knowing where to park, knowing the routine, and meeting people I knew along the way.

It felt good, nice. I didn't feel like a visitor. I felt belonged. And I felt happy.

Feeling at home on Thursday Island - life is good

Community

I like being part of a community.

Rob and I had a bit of a disagreement about a year ago on this very thing. He'd applied for a couple of jobs on Norfolk Island, and was hoping to be successful so that we could move there. I was, of course, against the idea. One of his arguments was that it would be nice to be a part of a community. I counter argued that you don't have to be in a small place to be part of a community.

I believed (and still do) that I can make a community wherever I am, for example within my own suburb with neighbours and local groups. I can be a part of my work community. I am a member of Toastmasters so am a part of that community. I can be a part of my church community, part of a volunteer group community - and so on and so on.

But ..... you know ..... there is something nice about being in a small place and feeling that you belong. It's been brought home to me twice this week. Walking to church on Sunday morning I was stopped by a neighbour who wanted to introduce himself. He recognised me because I walk past his house on my daily walk and so he wanted to say hello. And today, again on my walk, someone I'd met on Sunday afternoon at a friend's BBQ, stopped to greet me in the street.

I guess it's no different from having that happen at home, but it made me feel that I had made it here, that I was starting to belong - that I am becoming a part of this community. And I guess I also feel that sadly, these little shows of friendliness may not have happened back home, in the big city.

So Rob - I agree. Norfolk Island, Thursday Island, any island - in fact any place, anywhere - there is something nice about being a part of a community.

Feeling like you belong - life is good.

Just rolling along

I've lost track of time. One day rolls into the next. But it's a good feeling - I'm not worried. Somehow my days are full but if you were to ask me at the end of the day what is it I have actually done - well, the list is not long.

But I guess I'm getting belonged, I'm marking my territory. The unit looks way different from what it did 7 days ago - flowers in little vases, kitchen organised, mess tidied away and pot plants lined up along the front wall. And I haven't finished yet :)

I look around the unit and it's so different from what I've left behind and what I thought I could live in. And even though cosmetic changes are on the way, the place has a nice feel about it. Our spirit is here and it feels good. We're happy here and it feels good.

There is work to be done and I look forward to starting. But for now I will continue to settle in and become belonged.

Life is good.

One more sleep

I have so much stuff! I always knew that but now that I'm packing up and transferring to another place, I can see clearly how much stuff I have. But what's really surprising me is how much stuff I'm prepared to leave behind.

And I guess it's tied in with what I was saying in my previous post - a sense of belonging. Stuff makes you feel belonged (remember I said it is a word). When I look around my home I see my paintings, photos, books, bits and pieces, decor - my things, and they show me that I belong here.

Now I've packed some things to take with me because I need to feel belonged when I get to where I'm going. So there's kitchen stuff, some books and a few bits and pieces, but only a few :)

And as I look around me, I can see that I'm leaving a lot behind. And you know what - I'm OK with it. I'm OK with leaving it all here where it belongs because I'm am now going to be somewhere else and I will find a way to make me feel that that place is where I will belong .... for now.

So it's truly a new start for me - new experiences, new friends, new place ....... and new stuff.

Leaving it all behind - life is moving forward.