and I am smarter for it.
I was born in San Francisco and grew up between Colorado Springs, Colorado and the Bay Area. At 21, I decided to leave Colorado Springs and move to Austin, Texas, where I will spend the next 15 years of my life (minus a 3 month stint dealing Blackjack in Vegas). I moved to Portland, Oregon from the ATX. I have been living in Portland for eight years now and counting. I will move again.
I don’t remember much about the way things worked in the Bay Area or Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs, at that time, was small, conservative, and surround by the military. People were probably friendly enough in both places.
Living in Austin taught me about “Southern Hospitality”. There is something to be said for living with constant sunshine and hanging out outside all the time – it makes for friendly outgoing people. People who are ready to take the time to answer your questions, call someone if they don’t know or let you follow them because they happen to be going in the same direction. I loved it. Help with a smile.
Living in Portland has taught me to be even more resourceful. It is not as sunny around here and it makes me wonder if it contributes to the mentality. Not many people outside and not many people willing to help you do what you could do for yourself. I hope you have access to the Internet. You need directions some place? … look up the address, and put it in your navigation. Don’t have that… Use a compass and a map. There is a gear store nearby where you can purchase those items if you don’t have them either. Figure it out. Solve your problems. No one will be phoning a friend or escorting you around here. It forced me to be even more resourceful. I have an abundance of gratitude for that. It is a nice skill to have. Waiting on other people sucks.
Is it easier for people to just tell you every detail of how things work ( insert anything you have questions about)? yes. What about the long game though? Teach a man to fish…..
I like to say that the lessons hardest learned are the ones not easily forgotten. People don’t learn from other peoples mistakes. You have to get your hands dirty, get involved with life and learn from your own mistakes. Mistakes are great teachers. Knowledge = Power.
After all, Life is either the greatest adventure or it’s not. You decide!
Julie-Noted 