Sunday, May 8, 2011

The Quitting Place

*
Every so often on our journey in life, we find ourselves in The Quitting Place.

Most think it to be a damp, dreary room...but it is not
.


The Quitting Place
has cushy carpets and sink in couches. There are trays of your favorite snacks and bubbly drinks. It's a perfect 72 degrees.


When you stand inside The Quitting Place and look out the large, plate glass windows, you see the path you were on. It's twisted and bumpy. It's long and cold and barren in spots. It is almost entirely uphill.


And in this moment, you have a choice.


You can sink into the couches of The Quitting Place and close your eyes ... or you can leave that comfort and get back on the path.


Guess which person will reach their destination?

*

26 comments:

storyqueen said...

This is a great post. I've not been in the Quitting Place lately as much as the Stalled Place.

But inside the stalling place doesn't get you to your destination, either!

Happy Mother's Day!

Shelley

Corey Schwartz said...

Oh, yes... those comfy couches!!! Perfectly said.

A.L. Sonnichsen said...

Okay, okay, I'm getting up. :)

Just kidding! Very good analogy, Tess. We keep pressing on!

Amy
P.S. Happy Mother's Day!

Anne Gallagher said...

Oh those couches look SO comfortable. But I need to work off those extra winter pounds so I guess I'm back on the Path.

Mary Aalgaard said...

The turtle. I like being on the couch, but it can get uncomfortable if you're there too long.

Martin Willoughby said...

I like this idea and I'll keep it in mind.

superpaige said...

But I love the quitting place. They have internet and tv there! And such great books to read!

Windy Aphayrath said...

But The Quitting Place is just so cushy!! ... aw man ... *drags self out of chair* I'm back to the path now ...

Davin Malasarn said...

Great post, Tess! :) The quitting place is so seductive.

Caroline Starr Rose said...

Great metaphor, Tess. My quitting place has a cosy spot for naps.

Tess said...

You guys make me giggle...such a blessing to share this journey with like minded pals.

ali cross said...

Oh man. You are so, so right. I love how you always manage to say so much in few words. Must be why you're such an awesome MG author!

Paul Greci said...

Love this post, Tess!! Okay, time get off the couch and back on the trail. Thank you!!

Unknown said...

So profound! We do tend to get a little TOO comfortable. I love love love this post!

Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos} said...

I refuse to set foot in the quitting place because it looks SO comfortable. I'm a sucker for comfort, I really am. So I know better than to even relax there for half an hour ;-)

Corey Schwartz said...

I had to link to this!
http://coreyschwartz.blogspot.com/2011/05/that-comfy-couch.html

Catherine Denton said...

Found you by Corey's blog. She's right. You're genius. ;)
My Blog

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

That was wonderful, Tess! I'm hoping to get the my quitting place, so I can decide to keep going along to the next quitting place. :)

Megan Frances Abrahams said...

Thank you for pushing me off the couch -- that safe and comfortable dream haven -- and thanks to Corey for sending me here.

Tess said...

How fun to meet new writerly-blogery friends! thanks for coming over and thanks to all for weighing in.

I find myself in this room far too often. I sort of look around and say "Crud, here I am again" then push out those doors and get back on the path. So glad to know I'm not alone!

Kristin said...

Our couch is saggy, old, and has puke stains from the kids. But *somehow* I still linger...in that sweet spot that dips in the middle. Thanks, Tess, for the nudge. *hands you my bowl of popcorn*

I'm in a last ditch effort to revise a MG this summer. Fingers crossed for me, will you?

Lydia Kang said...

Well said! I visit this room often but I try not to stay long. At the end of that yucky path is something worth getting to.

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

Very true.

Guess who pre-ordered With a Name Like Love the other day? Yea! Can't wait to read it! : )

Carla said...

Very, very true. I think there might be massages in the Quitting Place too. And definitely muscle strains on the path. Great images!

Carla

Hardygirl said...

Great post!

Sometimes, though, that comfy couch is a good place to sit and refuel. Just as long as you remember to get up after you've refueled and not become a couch potato!

sf

Anonymous said...

Oh Blogger is back!! *hugs*

Hello I'm new here. I love the color scheme of your blog.