Still Searching For Home
November 19, 2012 § 1 Comment
Earlier this year, I entered the 2012 Clem and Muriel Collins Writing Contest through the Grande Prairie Public Library. As we used to say in my days working with the Ontario Lottery Corporation, I was a non-winner.
As competitive as I am, I actually don’t think of the outcomes – yet to place in three tries – as winning and losing. It really is more about how the theme resonates with me.
Firstly, although I’ve been a writer for 30 years, it’s only been the last few years where I have really explored my creative, non-journalistic, corporate side. Second, as with my story on Jasper, my dog, these entries can later be converted into a larger project – I continue to tinker with a book manuscript. Third, because I have this blog, I can always feature my work here, as I have with a couple of earlier submissions.
Lastly, I can take the topic in a different direction which is what I’m doing with this post.
The theme for this year’s competition was Home. Instead of pursuing some initial, more emotional thoughts about that word means to me, I tried my first-ever piece of fiction and wrote a baseball-related piece. I want to go back now and share what Home means to me.
When I first heard the theme, I began thinking of the quotable quotes that use Home, like: “Home is where the heart is” or “Keep the home fires burning” or “There is no place like Home”. It turns out that when I actually read the brochure as I started to compose my entry, all these quotes and others were used as examples of what Home might mean.
While those phrases do have some connection, especially for someone who’s been happily married for 26 years, I struggled to put any strong feeling around them. I was challenged to explain what was really on my mind. It was then my wife suggested I attempt writing something totally fictitious.
Now that I’ve given it some deeper thought, Home is a place of the mind – somewhere I continue to seek. I think this relates to an earlier blog where I wrote that I always think there is something more – new things to learn and higher levels of achievement, professionally and personally.
Who knows whether I’ll ever really reach home from that standpoint? It’s the journey that matters.
As I get more life experience and work toward more of that elusive balance people yearn to achieve, perhaps I’m getting closer to my definition of home. Heck, it was just three years ago that this blog was born and I can truly say there have been many more personal and professional achievements since then.
On the professional side, one of my proudest moments occurred earlier this month with the launch of the City of Grande Prairie’s Citizen Engagement Program, activateGP.
Interestingly, at the kick-off the meaning of Home arose. Some participants think of amenities or particular qualities of a community, like friendliness, that make a place feel like home.
Since Grande Prairie has doubled in size since 1991, many residents are from somewhere else. For quite a number, it is that former country or other part of Canada that is Home. Some are unsure yet whether their current location is home.
To me, home in that sense is where you are situated. I’ve found comfort in the places I’ve lived across the country and re-invested through volunteer activities in every community. I have always said, “Home is where you hang your hat.”
I was talking to my friend Nikki Thompson, the marketing co-ordinator for nine10 Incorporated in Grande Prairie, the other day. Her thoughts tie nicely into this piece.
Here is what she had to say: “In 2009, I was in college and I had the feeling I was constantly missing out on what the world has to offer. I thought, ‘What the heck does Grande Prairie have? Nothing, that’s what!’ I felt unsettled. However, I was heading to New York City with our marketing class at the start of the New Year. NYC would surely have what I was looking for as it’s the hub for everything new and exciting. I’d never miss out on anything. I got there and it was incredible but nothing worth leaving Grande Prairie for. It is hard to explain but my world becoming smaller had cured my need to experience everything first.”
“Home is where you feel settled mentally, where comfort and remaining opportunistic meet to keep one engaged in where they are – a sense of belonging with purpose.”
Where is home to you? Is it a specific place? Are you there?
The Muse and Views 
I read this blog with interest since it pertains to a writing competition. You stated, “As competitive as I am, I actually don’t think of the outcomes – as winning and losing. It really is more about how the theme resonates with me.” With your 30 years plus experience with being a writer, you have explored in detail, the depth of your creative side; the one that is non-journalistic and non-corporate.
I like that you don’t perceive ‘not winning’, as ‘not losing.’ You pointed out that you can convert contest entries into larger projects, such as your story on Jasper, your beloved dog. Or, you can feature your work on your blog, as you have done.
One thing I’d like to add is that although the contest entry wasn’t necessarily the fit the contest judges were seeking, in another venture, at another time, it might be perfect as is. I think of manuscripts that successful authors have submitted, only to be turned down. Upon resubmission, their work is accepted and becomes successful. Timing and fit both must coincide.
You have already thought ahead, by mentioning that you can take the topic in a different direction. Often, this is what the library contest entails – creative thinking outside the box. A wise friend mentioned this quote to me, recently:
“Imagination is the beginning of creation.” – George Bernard Shaw.
You understand this to be so because, when the Grande Prairie Public Library contest theme was ‘home’, you didn’t write with emotional thoughts about what home means to you, but you wrote your baseball related piece. As with many people, home will evoke all sorts of quotes and heartfelt sentiments. The brochure detailing the contest even brought up some common ‘home’ quotes.
It wasn’t until further reflection – that your true creativity stepped up to the plate. You stated this:
“Home is a place of the mind – somewhere I continue to seek.”
That is brilliant, the idea that home is a place of the mind! The mention of the word ‘home’ typically will bring forth an array of thoughts and ideas that pertain to family – and home. Yet, you always strive to seek more, in terms of achievements, both professionally and personally. ‘Home’ is ever changing, ever evolving and so, you adapt accordingly. You stated that there is an elusive balance that people yearn to achieve, but at least you are always trying. Many people never do, feeling frozen in fear, afraid to try new things.
You pointed out that the journey is what matters, not so much the end result. That is a solid point, when considering that the end result is only a small fraction of time in our lives – but the journey is one helluva ride, because it is most of our time here on earth!
Success was achieved in the activateGP program that you implemented in Grande Prairie, and you contemplated the meaning of ‘home’, while doing so. You determined some people consider amenities or particular qualities of a community, when thinking of a place that makes them feel like home. You are right, many residents have originated from other countries, or other parts of Canada and may still be searching for something that feel comfortable/identify with, to call ‘home.’ You have been lucky enough to have a sense of positivity and pride wherever you have lived, embracing the idea that home is wherever you hang your hat.
My family and I discovered this to be so, when, on our Air Miles trips to Anaheim to see Mickey Mouse, (and of course, the Angels team playing a game), we consider the Hojo Anaheim hotel to be our second home. If we didn’t feel comfortable, it would feel odd. Having family together in one place? Is ‘home’, to me. No matter where we are.
Your friend, Nikki Thompson, the marketing co-ordinator for nine10 Incorporated in Grande Prairie discussed ‘home’ with you, stating: “Home is where you feel settled mentally, where comfort and remaining opportunistic meet to keep one engaged in where they are – a sense of belonging with purpose.”
This makes sense on so many levels and ties in with why I feel so comfortable even when away from home, (away from my residential home.) I feel settled and have a true sense of purposeful belonging.
One could say, Home = Belonging – in all ways that matter.