Uncategorized Archives - Page 25 of 25

Thankfulness

November 24, 2011 By Eric Douglas

Things I am thankful for:

Being surrounded by friends and family
Being in a loving relationship
Knowing that God has a purpose for my life and knowing that purpose is falling into place
Seeing friends I haven’t seen in years
Making new friends
Being excited about new opportunities
Having time to write
Getting my internet connected…finally
Being able to spend more time with my children…and not having to use Skype to do it.
Friends who are still willing to help me move (although probably never again ;-), thanks JD)
One of the kindest landlords I have ever heard of
People who believe in me
The ability to use my skills to touch lives
People that disagree with me (it makes me think)
Blessings and mercy I don’t deserve (but have received anyway)

Change is necessary. It can be painful and it can be exciting. Over the last few months, I’ve gone through some pretty major changes. There are times when nothing seems to work and everything seems to fall apart when you touch it. And then there are times when everything seems to fall into place. Those are the days when you know you’re on the right track. I am thankful for those days.

Home again

November 7, 2011 By Eric Douglas

I’ve taken a bit of a hiatus from writing this blog the last couple months as I reorganized and re-evaluated some priorities. But, I’m ready to talk about my next adventure—if you’re interested in reading about it.

I’ve moved back to my hometown after nearly 14 years away. I have lived in California and North Carolina and had the great fortune to travel the world during this time. I counted it up a few days ago. I’ve made 35 trips to 15 countries.

There are lots of reasons for this decision—all personal. And my reasoning behind this move isn’t what I want to talk about. I want to talk about the act of going home. In some ways I’m the same person who left here in 1998. The core values and sense of humor remain the same. On the other hand, I have seen a lot and experienced things that have shaped the person I have become. It will be interesting to see how the modern day me adjusts. I’m just as curious as anyone else.

Several years ago, a friend asked me why I’ve never written about West Virginia. As a newspaper reporter here, I loved telling stories of the people I met. After I left, it just wasn’t something I thought about. In the last year or so, as I finished up the documentary work in Honduras, I began to think about home.

So, I have returned to Charleston, West Virginia to see what I can see and write about West Virginia for a change. I hope, though, that it will be as much about discovering me at the same time.

I hope you continue to follow along. I think it’s going to be interesting.

Eric

Sandcastle

April 8, 2010 By Eric Douglas

I was 11 the first time I saw the ocean.

I always find that interesting in contrast to the fact that I make my living around things to do with the water and ocean and the amount of time my daughters have spent at the ocean—and neither of them is 11 yet. They have probably made 20 separate trips to the ocean. Some day trips, others longer, but still they have spent an incredible amount of time on the beach.

I do remember that first trip, though. It was to Myrtle Beach. Must have been the summer of 78. A long time ago and a lot has changed since then—for me and Myrtle Beach both. . I remember running into the water the first time, like I had done hundreds of times before into Lake Chaweva where I learned to swim and spent most of my summers. I dived into the water and came up sputtering—SALT!!!!! Ok, not my proudest moment, but it was the first time I had seen the ocean.

Obviously, though, that experience left a lasting impression on me. And today, I can tell when I’ve been away too long. I need some ocean time. I miss the ocean and I like to think the ocean misses me. Ok, I realize that might be a bit much, but spending time staring at the ocean calms me and helps me think.

And then there are days like today, when the pressure of the world away from the ocean intrudes on what is supposed to be my restful time. And how do I react? Help the two most precious people in the world build a sandcastle. Dig and stack and pat and play. Dig and find a sand crab. Listen to the girls squeal and then try to find more.

As I was doing this, I asked myself “Is there some metaphor here? Does the sandcastle’s impermanence mean something? The waves will come and take it away. It will be just a memory, and hopefully a memory in the lives of my girls. Like my splash into the ocean the first time.

But then I rethink and say, no, there is no metaphor here. It’s a sandcastle. Don’t over think it. Relax and have fun..

Connections

April 5, 2010 By Eric Douglas

I’ve written a lot about the connections we make with people as we travel, and how that is really the point of traveling. If you’re not connecting with people, not understanding people, there is no point.

That said, life sometimes is about the connections we make simply as people come and go through our lives. We meet people, fall in love, become friends and experience a full range of other emotions. The people you expect to play a vital role may not, but other people influence your lives for years to come.
I’ve spent a great weekend with one such family. In all honesty, I have no idea why this family has chosen to be so much a part of my life. I’m confident I’ve not given them nearly as much as they have given me over the years. They’ve been a second family—friends, parents, benefactors, inspirations and cajolers. If it weren’t for this group of people, there is not a doubt in my mind I would not be where I am today—both literally and figuratively.

For a few years we were separated but as we’ve reconnected in the last couple years, its as if there was never any time away. So, I just want to say thank you Simmons family. I am very, very proud to call all of you friends. Jim and Ginny, Dewey and Melissa (Blair), Cameron and Amber and Granny. You are all priceless to me.

The bigger point, though, is those connections we make throughout our lives will change and influence us in ways we will never expect. If you connect with someone expecting something in return, wondering what people can do for you or trying to get something, you might get it, but you’re missing the bigger picture. If you’re afraid to open yourself up because you’re afraid it might be tough, you might get hurt or it might not work out the way you expect, you may be missing something really amazing. Don’t be afraid to open yourself up to possibilities, you never know where it might take you.

Sorry if this line of thought was a little esoteric. It was my musing as I walked down the beach this morning on Topsail Island. A perfect day, not too many people around, the air was warm and the water felt good on my feet. Ironically, other than a couple “good mornings” I didn’t speak to a soul. But, when I turned around, I noticed my own footsteps in the sand. I snapped a quick photo with my phone before the waves took it away. As I thought about it, I realized we each make footprints every day. We just never know how long they are going to last. And when they fade from our vision, they don’t always fade from memory, and those steps may change our lives and the lives of the people around us..