Build your own castles

WELCOME to my new followers John and Bridget, Travels of John and Bridget.  I'm so happy you've joined me and my dog, Katie, on our journey.  We're glad you're along for the fun.

I don't remember when or where I first saw this picture:

I think it may have been in an ad, but I'm not sure.  I only know that when I saw it, it really resonated with me and I thought, "Build your own castles," and I scanned it into my computer and saved it so I could keep it. (My apologies if the creator of the image reads this.  I can't give credit at this point, since I don't know where I got it.)

This was lots of years ago, and I must have been going through a period in my life where I was disappointed in people, and my plans and relationships with other people weren't working out, and I guess I decided I was going to "build my own castles," and not rely on anyone else. 

I made personal stationary with a small graphic, used the image as a logo on a personal "business" card, and made an iron-on sheet to press it on a t-shirt.  I always put "Build Your Own Castles" under the graphic.  And I meant it both simply and aggressively, I think.  This graphic became my own private, personal Statement, with a capital S.

I remember this box of blocks, maybe my kids had them when they were young.   They fit perfectly into a wooden box when the blocks were arranged correctly.  I don't think it's a memory about the actual box of blocks that draws me, but there is something that speaks to me when I look at the graphic.

All my life I've had dreams about houses.  Really good dreams, about a house that I suddenly find out is mine, and when I go into it and walk around, I find secret rooms or closets filled with treasures of various kinds, and they are all mine, too.  Each dream has had a different kind of house, and each house has a different kind of treasure.   I specifically remember the first "house" dream I had when I was a child.   That's when I realized I dream in color.  I can still see the dream as I'm moving through the house, all the bright colors.  Many others followed throughout the years.  Always good dreams and I'd wake up feeling happier than usual.

Somehow my "house dreams" and this graphic go together.  I get the same good feeling when I see this block castle, and think about building my own castles, or in other words, fulfilling my own dreams.  Not needing anyone to help me build my own future.  Not having to help someone else realize their dream, and ignoring my own.

I think that's what I'm doing with my plan to retire, dispose of my condo and all my "stuff," buy a small RV, and live on the road.  This will be my "dream house," and think of all the "secret rooms" I'm going to find with all the treasures.  Each campsite, each RV park, each city and state, everywhere I travel will have new secret rooms with new treasures for me to find.  Building my OWN castles, on my own terms, for myself.

BUILDING MY OWN CASTLES 

I might even put the graphic and title on my little RV when I get it.  Wouldn't that be great?  I think living out my dream of residing in a small RV will be wonderful, and hopefully put me in a place I really want to be.   Emotionally, spiritually, and physically.  And if not, I'll move to another place.

So, congratulations to all of you out there who are building your own castles.  And for the rest of us, let's start Building Our Own Castles!

From Me and My Dog, have a great evening, everyone!  : )