As I’ve been traveling through Belgium, I’ve been thinking about how rare and special it is when someone finds his or her niche. Here are three examples.
It’s so clear: A fundamental part of the joy of travel is to simply be in the presence of people who’ve found their niche. We only live once on this beautiful planet, and we have the personal challenge of doing with our lives what God intended — of finding our niche. I think that when you’re blessed enough to find a livelihood that fits your spirit, it gives you energy — and you, in turn, give the world a positive radiance. In Bruges, Belgium, Madame Dumon makes and sells chocolate. Keeping her little brown world cool in a heat wave, she makes sure everyone who enters gets a rich and creamy sample of their choice.
Michael Smeester runs my favorite hotel in Brussels. When you see his smile and feel his personal energy, you are not surprised by the name he chose: Hotel Welcome. With every visit to Brussels, I have a tradition of teaming up with Meester Smeester to blitz the city’s restaurants and be sure I’ve got the very best in my guidebook. The new edition will be much-improved as — with Michael’s help — I once again saw why locals brag, "Belgian cuisine...we eat as hearty as the Germans and as well as the French.”
Reflecting on My Coffin in Antwerp - I generally travel alone. It’s just me and my mortality. Travel often has me thinking about life, and, now that I’m at the age where I look at the obituaries more than I used to, I’m also aware that the years do go by. For centuries, churches have contributed to that awareness in different and creative ways. Here in Antwerp’s cathedral, a glass coffin seemed to fit this vagabond’s body as if tailor-made.
Comments
7 Replies to “Inspired to Find Your Niche”
Best chocolate and fries in the world.
Dumons has the best chocolate I have EVER had in my life!
This thing of the nitche… I loved it
When visiting Bruges, I always stop at Madame Dumon’s and have some chocolate. I love it. I enjoyed Bruges and Brussels every time I visit. …You are correct Rick, when we reach a certain age, we always look at the obit’s and the passing of time is remembered. Enjoy your travels and I believe you have found your niche.
The Glass coffins thing in Antwerp is just hilarious. What exactly are you supposed to reflect upon while in one of those. Surely does remind you that you have a date with death in some future.
Have stayed at the Hotel Welcome several times and could not agree more about Michael Wonderful host (as is his wife Sophie)… and Michael used to have the best restaurant there inside the Hotel.
Best fish dinner with the most excellent service that my husband and I ever experienced.
We love staying in St Catherine’s Sqaure…one of the nicest places to experience Brussels.
From a former resident of Brussels who loves to go back and visit.
Once even soft and powdery snow melts and refreezes, ice dams may result with water becoming trapped on your rooftop. Cloud computing is here, and has been embraced by many an organization. However what if you are at work?
Best chocolate and fries in the world.
Dumons has the best chocolate I have EVER had in my life!
This thing of the nitche… I loved it
When visiting Bruges, I always stop at Madame Dumon’s and have some chocolate. I love it. I enjoyed Bruges and Brussels every time I visit. …You are correct Rick, when we reach a certain age, we always look at the obit’s and the passing of time is remembered. Enjoy your travels and I believe you have found your niche.
The Glass coffins thing in Antwerp is just hilarious. What exactly are you supposed to reflect upon while in one of those. Surely does remind you that you have a date with death in some future.
Have stayed at the Hotel Welcome several times and could not agree more about Michael Wonderful host (as is his wife Sophie)… and Michael used to have the best restaurant there inside the Hotel.
Best fish dinner with the most excellent service that my husband and I ever experienced.
We love staying in St Catherine’s Sqaure…one of the nicest places to experience Brussels.
From a former resident of Brussels who loves to go back and visit.
Once even soft and powdery snow melts and refreezes, ice dams may result with water becoming trapped on your rooftop. Cloud computing is here, and has been embraced by many an organization. However what if you are at work?