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31 Days: Park for Five Minute Friday


Five Minute Friday is a writing event that has writers spending five minutes writing on the same topic and then sharing them at http://katemotaung.com/five-minute-friday/. This week's word is Park.

 This is Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine. when I was in Portland for my friends' wedding, I really wanted to see the Portland Headlight but the person I was traveling with had been to Portland several times and had no desire to see it again and everyone else I knew at the wedding had left town already. So I did something out of character and called a cab, told the driver to take me to the park, and I found it myself. And I called the same driver, had him pick me up, and bought myself a nice lunch to celebrate.

 That simple act of calling a cab and getting to a destination on my own was so empowering. Most of the time I would have just let the fact that no one wanting to go with me keep me from doing something. I would have just taken a safe walk in a straight line hoping to see something interesting along the way. But I couldn't go to Maine without seeing the most photographed lighthouse in the world. And I wasn't going to let having to do it alone stop me.

 I was so proud of myself that day. For having the courage to call a cab, something I never do at home; for walking around that park by myself and enjoying that beautiful day; and for doing something really scary to me, asking for a table for one and eating a meal in public by myself.

 Who knew a simple trip to a park could make a person feel so brave. But it had that effect on me that June day in Maine. And I hope to be brave like that more and more. Life is too short to skip things because you don't have anyone who wants to go with you. Taking that chance was literally and figuratively a walk in the park - a park I need to visit more often.
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Comments

  1. E Adams WrightOctober 21, 2016 at 6:16 PM

    Cheers and a double high five to you for your choice to courageous. Celebrating this step with you. Visiting from FMF.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LeslieOctober 22, 2016 at 12:25 AM

    Congratulations! As a child says 'I Do It Myself,'
    a mighty step forward has been accomplished.
    I love doing things by myself.

    ReplyDelete

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