Serendipity on the Road Strikes Again - Huffington Post

"Leap, and the net will appear" (John Burroughs)

I was standing on the ledge.  I was lost, alone, confused and scared.  I had completely lost control of my life and, for the first time ever, I couldn't at all see the light at the end of that dark, black, lonely tunnel.  Where was the endless optimism that I have always carried with me?  Where were those many dreams that always had me eagerly leaping forward towards the future?  They had all disappeared and nothingness had taken their place. 

Realizing I had to do something in order change my life, I decided to take a loooooong road trip with Yoda.  This alone was completely out of character for someone who has always shunned being trapped in a car for hours at a time.  But then, I decided to go a step further and blog about my internal journey.  I've always been a fiercely private person.  It's a rare friend to whom I open up and share my most raw and personal thoughts, fears, and emotions.  Yet here I am doing just that in a very public forum.  I have no idea why I have this burning need to share.  But the hunger is there and I'm feeding it.  And you are listening.  Really, this is the most beautiful experience of my life.  I'm exposing my truths and people aren't turning away.  The feedback, support and enthusiasm for my journey leaves me touched in a way that I can't possibly find the words to express.

A writer friend told me that my journey is speaking to people and I should consider sharing it with a broader audience through a forum like The Huffington Post.  On a whim I shot an e-mail off to the travel editor at midnight one night, and by 7am the next morning she e-mailed me back with an invitation to blog for them.  Really?  It still shocks me that I may be interesting enough for people to actually want to hear what I have to say.  Yet I jumped at the opportunity and my first Huffington Post blog has just been published.  My Huffington Post blogs will supplement my personal blog.  I'd love for you to read them both, or one, or neither.  After all, my blogs ultimately are really just a place for me to work through my pain as I discover my new life. 

So John Burroughs, thanks for the advice.  I've leapt.  I left my life behind and I've taken to the road.  I can't honestly say I see the net, but with each new experience, I'm beginning to have faith that it will one day appear.

Read me on Huffington Post:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christine-buckley/