It happens every year, particularly in the summer. The sun comes out and all I want to do is hop on a plane or jump in a car and go somewhere new. And that’s just what i’ve been doing lately.

A few weeks ago I spent some time exploring the beautiful city of Boston (don’t worry, I stayed away from Fenway Park. Go Yankees!) Last weekend I went to Pittsburgh and packed in as much adventure into my 36-hour trip as possible. A few days ago I booked a trip to visit my friend in Chicago over 4th of July weekend. I’m heading to Toronto for a concert tomorrow, and to top it off, I have my family reunion in Maine later this summer. Needless to say, all of my senses are urging me to wander.

As i’ve traveled from place to place, i’ve had more time than usual to reflect on what this mysterious life is all about. More specifically, i’ve thought about how critical our location is in determining how our life unfolds. 

Think about it. Almost everything that happens to you is predicated upon where you live: the work you do, who you surround yourself with (and who you meet by happenstance) your daily routine, your successes and failures…. it’s all victim to your location.

A woman who I know through social media and respect very much wrote a short Facebook post the other day that made me think about my notion of location in a new way. She said, “Sometimes, home isn’t where you live. It’s where you come alive.”

At some points in our lives, we choose the location and the home that invigorates us; maybe we move away to a new city for school, a job, or a relationship. But at other times, I think it’s fair to say that our home can also choose us without much rhyme or reason. As though choice and serendipity work together to place us where we belong.

And the idea that our home isn’t necessarily a physical address, but more of a place that makes us feel our most genuine and joyful selves, is a calming thought in my chaotic mind. Isn’t it peaceful to know that we can have multiple places which we call home?

Because if that’s the case, then the idea that location dictates nearly everything about our life isn’t so scary anymore… it’s actually pretty exciting.