Happy Friday! Time for my Five Minute Friday contribution. Check out the amazing five minutes takes at Kate’s place on Facebook at  http://www.fiveminutefriday.com by our special community of writers.

I’ve been sharing snippets taken from Five Minute Friday: A Collection of Stories Written in Five Minutes Flat. They are a testament to the value of the exercise. This week, I’ll share some perspective from Angela who I hope inspires you to check us out or, better yet, try your hand at focused, unscripted writing for just five minutes. And share it on Kate’s website.

“When I felt stuck as a writer, Five Minute Fridays showed me that was only in my mind. Sometimes I wrote my FMF piece only in my journal, because the prompt brought out raw feelings I wasn’t ready yet to share. Still, it helped me find my words again when I wasn’t sure I had anything to say.”

The timer has been set for this week’s prompt, PLACE, so I guess it’s time to GO…

The prompt got me to thinking … why am I in this place, Dover-Foxcroft, ME? For that matter, why was I in Seneca County, NY? Or Washington, DC? Or Toledo, OH? Or Belvidere, IL; Or Newton, NJ; Or Ogdensburg, NJ? Or Paterson, NJ? Or East Paterson, NJ {now Elmwood Park}? Why was I in Manhattan College? How did I discover Dominican College of Blauvelt (NY)? How did I find all these places when my Dad rarely traveled more than 25 miles from his birthplace?

Places. Different places. Different times.

Certainly, my choices led me on the paths I took … or did they? Was there a greater plan I was part of?

I don’t have that answer. But I can say before settling in central Maine, I visited every corner of the Pine Tree State. Before I settled in Seneca County, I looked at communities throughout the Northeast. And the reasons why I was placed where I was placed just go on and on.

As I reflect back on each step along the journey, I realize I was placed where I was placed for one of three reasons … either to learn, to grow or to influence. That could be for good or bad, but it essentially comes down to that.

Over the years, I have been guided by an incredible cadre … STOP

… of mentors who were carefully placed in my world at just the right time and place. I’ve learned from their guidance — and my sometimes stupid mistakes. I grew from their example. I was influenced by those lessons and I’ve tried to reciprocate and be a good influence for my family, friends and neighbors. That’s what this blog is all about.

I don’t know why I’m in Dover-Foxcroft and not in China, ME, or Bryant Pond, ME, or Seaside Heights, NJ. I wasn’t placed there. I was placed here. It will be fun to look back and see why.

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: You never know how strong you are… until being strong is the only choice you have. — Cayla Mills