How Did I Get Here?


I'm not sure how to start a blog...  I've been trying for a long time.  Mostly because I can now, finally, share my heart. And I think I have things to say that may be of use, or help, or even entertainment value for someone else.  So, I don't think you can start at the beginning, because there's so much to catch up on.  So I'll just start here, where I am, because I've figured out that here is where I have to spend my time.

Part of my trouble getting started was coming up with the right name.  I've edited the page so many times with a new name, that I can't even remember all of the names I've used.  I've tried to be clever, symbolic, dramatic, funny, catchy...  None felt like the one.  I'm a total song lyric person, so I started looking through my playlists to help with some blog naming inspiration.  I imagined that my attention would be grabbed by something from Sting, The Beatles, or Elton John, yet, as I scrolled down the playlist, my eyes stopped at Top of the World, by Imagine Dragons. I scrolled down, and then back up a couple of times, thinking, yeah, it's a catchy song, but the lyrics weren't that meaningful to me... but it is uplifting and the lyrics reflect on making it through dark times... but it's not one of my favorites... and then it hit me - Top of the World!



Top of the World... a mountaintop overlook in little old Driftwood, Pennsylvania.  It's a destination whenever we are at camp, especially for watching sunrises and sunsets, and for star gazing. As you approach the overlook, you ascend Mason Hill, through the forest.  As you move through the shadows of the trees and continue up the steep incline, you eventually emerge at the top of the mountain into a clearing that allows for a bright, beautiful, panoramic view of the Allegheny Plateau. The view from The Top of the World is always beautiful, always tranquil, always inspiring.

Is that not a fabulous metaphor for our lives and struggles?  Shadowed, shady forest, steep ascent, gradual clearing, and then, wow!... beauty, clarity and inspiration!  So, with the symbolism of the journey up to the overlook, paired with a song that seemingly references one of my 'serenity places,' "My View from the Top of the World" becomes the perfect title for the blog documenting my thoughts, questions, and lessons learned.

Enjoy the view!

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