"We get one story, you and I, and one story alone."
Donald Miller, Through Painted Deserts
The days are passing me by quickly as I begin this chapter of my life in Chattanooga. I work. I sleep. I work some more...and hopefully I get to catch the sunset once a week or so down by the Tennessee River.
I'm busy.
I love it.
I'm exhausted 93.8% of the time.
I don't love that.
I've started settling into a routine now that school has started for the majority of my friends. Their schedules are now filled with classes and homework, so their visits to see me in the Scenic City have slowly tapered off. It's been a little lonely, but I'm cool with it. I know that this is a challenge for me to step outside of my comfort zone, make new friends and have some adventures.
Today, for instance, I decided that instead of sitting in the apartment on my day off, I should venture out into the St. Elmo district of Chattanooga and try out another coffee shop I've been hearing so much about, Pasha. In the past three hours, I've made new friends, heard some awesome stories and found a great place to do my work for The Dirty Guv'nahs.
I'm ready for this challenge...but last night, I wasn't so sure.
I was having doubts thinking, "What if I shouldn't have moved here? I need community and deep friendships...is that going to happen for me here?"
It will.
It's going to take time, all good things usually do, but I'm going to be alright.
I've been reading a lot of Donald Miller lately. I started with Blue Like Jazz, fell in love with his writing style and upon finishing it, immediately drove to McKay's Used Books to purchase another of his gorgeous works. Though I want to read everything he's written, I decided to go with Through Painted Deserts next. I took the quote at the top of this post from this book, and I've recently made it my mantra.
This life I'm living is my story. I only get to live it once, and it's my duty to do the best I can with what God's given me and with the opportunities that I create for myself. If I'm sitting in a rocking chair fifty years from now on my front porch full of regrets, I don't think I could bear it.
We only get one story.
I want my story to be filled with love, life, adventure, fun, excitement, warmth, and maybe a little sadness...just to make sure I know how to be thankful when there isn't sadness.
I hope all of you are well. I love you all!
Peace and love,
Amelia
P.S. Here are some pics of what I get to see on a pretty regular basis. Man, I'm blessed. :-)
A view of the sunset from the banks of the Tennessee River.
The scenic lookout right off TN-111/US-27.
