There has been lots of on-line chatter about Amtrak adding a Writers Residency program on their trains. Free trips to authors working on manuscripts. I jumped on the bandwagon and send out little notes to Via Rail and Rocky Mountaineer in hopes these two Canadian companies would follow suit.

Then I took a reality check. If any of these companies offered such a program what would be the chance of winning a ride? I’m not on the cusp of being well enough known to get any mileage out of such a program so why would they pick me?

Already losing the golden ticket, I thought about where I do my best writing. Then I knew a train had never produced anything worthwhile. So why waste any more brain power on the pursuit?

I already have a “location” muse. And guess what? All winter long and well into the spring they give as close as it gets to a writer’s residency. Long Beach Lodge offers rooms at a huge discount to solo travelers. And that makes for a writer’s paradise.

I’ve done some of my best writing siting in their “great room”.  The staff have become friends and indulge me with endless cups of coffee until noon then endless pints of beer until I leave at night. The respect they show for my writing space is endearing. Their encouraging words as they place another drink at my side are cherished.

Maybe all writers are looking for a magical place to help the words flow. Or maybe writers are just people and the thought of a free train ride seems like fun.

I could go on for a long time talking about the rooms at the Lodge, the view of the beach, massive waves, surfers, endless walks, comfy chairs and soaker tubs. Then it would all sound like a commercial for an upscale resort. So no more promoting the place. The last thing I want is for other people to be booked into my favourite room when I want to be there.

This is more a comment in never forgetting I already hold the answer. I know where I write well. Long Beach Lodge or my favourite Vancouver lounge listening to my favourite music, or at my desk at 3am when an idea has woken me up and the need to tell a tale has to be played upon or forever lost.

I think waiting to get a ticket for a train ride is only giving the power to someone else.

The phone rang, I recognized the name so even though it was late I picked up. This was a very good decision.

“What’s up?”

“I was just telling a friend how much you had helped me today and I thought the best thing to do was to stop talking to her and to tell you. And to say thank you.”

“Wow, thank you, you’ve made my day… seriously, thank you.”

And there you go, it is just that simple.

Her taking the time to share those thoughts with me changed everything. A day fraught with stresses faded away. A sense of purpose was reestablished. A lovely reminder of what counts. A reminder of what really matters.

Yes, we should all have a healthy sense of self-worth. We shouldn’t need to be praised and fawned over. This isn’t about a crazy need to have your ego stroked.

A sincere giving of thanks directed at you can feel really good.

You try to be kind and helpful. It’s just the basic living of a life. To get kudos for it is a lottery win.

All too often we are given critiques and boundaries. All the “should” and “should nots.” The people around us tend to take things for granted. We are all so busy. Who has time to say “thank you” when there are so many things to correct?

And then the phone rings and you are reminded how good it feels to be appreciated.

Pretty basic.