In my younger days, when the world was beautiful and full of wonder, I ran across a simple wall poster that shared a thought-provoking idea. I love that stuff.

It was just a sheet of white paper, with the words “You are here” and a little, symbolic dot, like the kind you find on a map at the mall. Surrounded by the emptiness of a blank page, “here” becomes very relative. I liked the duality of that idea. A person with peace in their heart and a sense of direction and purpose would be spurred on and encouraged to fill that page with their own story and context. The world was something to be explored and conquered. They feel powerful and secure, so the idea that they are a drifting little dot on a blank canvas would be a welcoming idea.

But then, there are those who, through misfortune and loss, become disillusioned and distracted from life’s greater purposes. To them, the thought of being that drifting little dot is lonely or unwelcome or even terrifying.

So, here’s a confession for you. I’ve been both of those people.

I have believed that life is like an eternal parent, eagerly waiting for me to be born so that gifts could be bestowed. And I’ve benefitted greatly from their purpose, I’ve been a regal child imbued with power by his family to take up the charge of subduing the earth; to walk with such resolve that it would provide focus and clarity to one’s life, to live in such a way that others might profit from the example.

And then something happens, and you get hurt.

And in those moments, it’s easy to give in to disillusionment or despair. It’s easy to flail in the deeper waters of life, wondering if you were ever really meant to swim at all. It can overtake you, if you let it.

If you let it.

My intent in creating this site is to reflect on life, to write about my reflections, and to share parts of my journey. I have decided to burden myself with the writer’s conceit and to struggle with expressing thoughts that will encourage others — keep going, don’t lose heart, don’t lose faith. At times, I will share my personal journey, because I think it will be helpful and healing. I’m not particularly interested in writing about myself. But as I have reflected on my station in life, I’ve come to realize some things.

• None of us are alone.
• Shared burdens are lighter.
• People need people.
• All of us have a story that should be heard.

And you are here. Thank you. I hope to keep serving up ideas that are helpful, uplifting and encouraging. Because that deep water is still out there, and I think there’s an adventurous soul in each one of us that wants to explore and learn more about the blank space around us, if we can just overcome our fear of the deep.