Finding your people doesn’t always mean finding people who agree with you on everything. It means finding people who energize you, respect you, and make you want to be a better person.
I am so fortunate to have found a few groups of people who are “my people.” First, my book club, The Chapter Chicks (my Peeps), is a close group of women who have been together for 21 years. We talk about books (sometimes) and anything and everything else that has meaning in our lives.
Then there are my “teacher friends,” who are more than colleagues. We may not get together very often, but we are all available to one another beyond the scope of curriculum and instruction at any given moment.
Today, I am off to meet with my newest group of people, the Poetry Writing Group, at my local library. This group began in September and meets on the first Saturday of the month. In a few short meetings, this group has widened my view of the world, poetry, and myself—so much so that I even read at an open mic night in November—something I never thought I would do.
For the past eleven years (I think), I have participated in the Slice of Life Writing Challenge sponsored by twowritingteachers.org. As we start another challenge, I look forward to reading the “slices” of “my people” worldwide.
I hope you have found your people and that after you leave them, your heart feels filled with helium.
Rita DiCarne 
Rita, your post explains to me why I enjoy the March Slice of Life Challenge so much. Again, I thank you for the encouragement you often send me.
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Oh, Rita, This quote is perfect. I’m so glad both of us found the Poetry Writing Group. Although I’ve only attending since January, I relate to everyone even though we are such a diverse group. My heart is filled with helium when I leave, along with a sense of possibility and awe at the talented people in this group. Thanks for sharing!
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Lol! My invisible people, who hear me and build me from across the globe. How cool is that!
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I’ve been with this group more than a decade, and though I’ve met only a few in person… you are “my people.”
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Finding people feels hard in each season of life. Glad you have found yours in different corners. Cheers to SOL!
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It does feel hard sometimes, but worth it when you find the ones you click with.
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Your post reminds me why I do this! I am afraid of missing out on the writing of all my people! While I am not a writer, in March I can find inspiration in others and pretend to be one!
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Glad you are here.
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Finding your people is so important. As we go through life the changes (retirement, loss, etc.) have caused me to look for new groups. After reading your post I think I might be expecting too much. I’ll keep trying. This writing group is lovely, that’s why I’m accepting the challenge again this year.
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Sometimes we need to be open to finding new people and see what happens.
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“Heart filled with helium” indeed, that is this feeling—again! Congratulations on sharing your first poem at an open mike. Just getting the guts to write poetry is a huge accomplishment. (Kids take to it so easily—I need to be more like the kids!) I look forward to widening my world this March.
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Thanks. I can’t wait to be inspired by all the other slicers.
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Thanks for sharing words, your life, and your people with us. Glad to be part of this group with you.
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I love the energy I get from this group!
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