As I was walking on the beach tonight I was approached by a couple that asked me, "Are you from here?' My immediate response was, "Yes, I am." They asked me for information on the area and I talked with them about some of the best beaches to see while down here on vacation. It was a nice conversation and then I went along my way to finish my beach walk and see the sunset.
As I continued on my walk I realized that this was the first time since moving down here that I had claimed Florida as my home. I did not hesitate as I was asked tonight and I really felt like I kind of knew the area well enough to hand out advice on where to go.
I started thinking; can you have more than one home? Where is my home? Minnesota or Florida?
We just returned from our summer vacation to Minnesota. As we traveled back to visit family and friends in Minnesota, Mike and I did a recap of our first year in Florida. One of the main things we talked about was how many people we have met over the course of this past year. If we had never moved to Florida we would have never met all these amazing people.
It was also our first ever "warm" winter. We definitely did not miss shoveling snow or dealing with winter driving. Yes, we do not mind being called beach bums!
There are things we miss about our Minnesota home. Visiting Minnesota this summer gave us a lot of time to reconnect with family and friends. We truly had an awesome time experiencing our old way of life. I drove around the cities like I had for the previous 34 years, ate at favorite restaurants, had a "cabin" day and just lived the Midwest life. I will not lie; it will always feel like home but not because of the place itself but for the relationships and the experiences.
Yet, by the end of vacation we were all saying, "I want to get home." We missed our little place in Florida, our beds, the salt air and just our way of life now down here.
So the big question is can you have more than one home? Literally yes, own as many dwellings as you like but what I really think it means is that home is what we make of it. Some people really need that physical structure that makes them feel comfortable and safe. Others need to surround themselves with people and human connections. I also think that simple time is what is needed to feel comfortable and to get that home feeling.
I once heard someone in a yoga class say that they called Extended Child's pose home. This pose is a surrendering pose and how appropriate to call it home. Where else can you totally relax and just be yourself but at home. I sometimes suggest that the more we come back to downward facing dog throughout practice the more it feels like a home posture and not so much of a working posture.
I know I will always call Minnesota home for that is where I was born and raised, there my family still lives and where familiar and loving experiences still exist. Florida is my current home where I am slowly starting to feel like I belong, am a part of a new experience and am excited for the possibility of expanding my horizons.
As I started thinking about the idea of having more than one home I thought this summed it up quite well:
Never make your home in a place. Make a home for yourself inside your own head. You'll find what you need to furnish it - memory, friends you can trust, love of learning, and other such things. That way it will go with you wherever you journey. - Tad Williams
May the home in my heart honor the home in yours.
Namaste
