I’ve been thinking about places / spaces a lot lately. It’s a common theme in the books and articles I’ve been reading, and I’ve been using those two words interchangeably in recent conversations as well. I’m not sure they should be interchanged so freely; I wonder now about the difference between their definitions, but I don’t have time to look them up or study them. So naturally I do.
space. n. 1. a continuous area or expanse that is free, available, or unoccupied. 2. the dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move.
syn: room, capacity, area, volume, expanse, extent, scope, latitude, margin, leeway, play, clearance.
place. n. 1. a particular position or point in space. 2. a portion of space available or designated for or being used by someone. “a place was reserved for her”
syn: location, site, spot, setting, position, situation, area, region, locale.
The differences are interesting to me. I’ll ruminate on those another day. For now I’ll pick out the meaty parts – this space has certainly been unoccupied lately. I tumble from one thing to the next at breakneck speed until I collapse into bed each night. It’s okay though, I’ve been here before. I am good at many of these things, and I’m glad to do them. I’m trying to do them well.
I’ll get back to this place soon. “a place was reserved for her” – what a treat to read that as an example. I’d like to set a goal for myself to post daily, in smaller doses, for the next month – starting later next week. I have so many notes on things I’ve wanted to talk about and share, and I can see a light at the end of the tunnel on so many of these outside commitments that have been demanding my time these days.
I thought I’d open the floor to you a bit as well. Anything in particular you’d like me to write about, update on, answer in this area? I’ve got thirty pieces to write – what would you like to hear more about or see more of? Let’s call this a kickoff to summer, a gentle nudge back into regular writing, filling this space. Reclaiming this place.
