Watering the seed of a dream

Greetings from Eureka Springs, Arkansas! Today I want to share a little heartwarming tale about how we can inspire each other to pursue our dreams - sometimes without even realising it!

Back in February I decided to put myself to the test and go to a town in America I'd never been to before, where I knew no-one, and spend a month there, living and working. That town was Eureka Springs. 

I wanted to see if I had what it took to do some long term solo travel, and if I did then maybe I would one day go the whole hog and leave the UK. I didn't know exactly where I'd go but I decided to be open to signs and inspiration. 

On my first day in Eureka Springs back in February I paid a visit to the local bookstore, where I bought a book called 'If You Could Live Anywhere,’ which had a picture of the Eiffel Tower on the cover. I've always loved Paris, so as I stood in the shop waiting to pay, I thought maybe I could go to Paris first if I ever plucked up the courage to travel long term.

When the store owner served me she noticed the picture of the Eiffel Tower, and told me that she'd travelled to Paris back in the 1970s and had a wonderful time there. I took this as another sign so I told her about my own travel dreams and she told me more about her time in France.

'If you ever make it to Paris I want you to send me a postcard and just write ‘I DID IT,' she said. I loved this idea, so I readily agreed.

I took my new book to a local diner, and when my server saw it, she told me all about the great time she’d had in Paris back in the day. 

The signs were coming in thick and fast!

As you know from recent editions of Wonderstruck, two months ago I bit the bullet, got rid of my UK apartment and most of my things, and set off travelling. First stop Paris!

I couldn’t remember the name of the bookstore owner so I never sent her a postcard in the end, but when I decided to return to Eureka Springs on my travels I vowed that I would pay her a visit to let her know in person.

I arrived back in Eureka Springs yesterday, and as soon as I'd settled into my AirBnB, I set off for the bookstore.

It was late in the day and there were no other customers, but there was the owner, standing behind the counter, just as she’d been that fateful day back in February.

Of course, she’s served many people since, so she didn’t recognise me, but when I told her what had happened her face lit up.

‘I couldn’t remember your name so I didn’t send the postcard,’ I said, ‘But I decided to come back and tell you in person instead.’

It was such a magical moment and she was delighted to discover that she and the book she’d sold me had been the catalyst for my realising my travel dream. 

I stayed in the store chatting with her for about an hour in the end, showing her photos from my stay in Paris, and hearing more tales from her own travel adventures back in the day, which ended up inspiring me all over again!

reunited with my inspiration!

I returned to my AirBnB with a warm heart and a smile on my face.

It also got me thinking about how we can inspire each other without even realising it.

For all you know, something you might have once said or done might have planted or watered the seed of a dream in another.

Isn’t that a magical thing?

And isn’t it magical that we never know where we might find inspiration next?

This can be a particularly encouraging thought to hold onto during tough times.

Prior to my visit to Eureka Springs in February I’d had a really tough year. A year later, everything has changed for the better and beyond recognition.

I think we have to be open to inspiration though. So pay attention to the conversations you have with others. Keep your eyes and ears open for the signs.

It feels so good to be back in this magical town. And I’m here for five weeks so hopefully I’ll have plenty more inspirational Eureka moments to share with you.

In the meantime, wishing you all an inspired week!

Siobhan