I moved...

Anyone who is bothering to read this probably already knows that I have moved - geographically. Which of course, being who I am, makes me think about how else I've "moved." Most people would describe this move for me as "going home," as I have lived here before and it's quite close to where I grew up. In many ways that's true. In many ways it's not.

When I lived here before I wasn't a college graduate nor did I have a license to practice psychology. When I lived here before I wasn't married, I didn't have a child. I was 21 for crying out loud. I'm 33 now. Am I even the same person? Mostly I am but it's interesting how changing some of those things about the mechanics and make up of my life have changed how I view not only the geography of the landscape but the culture, the people, the values, the politics and the living that goes with it. Places, things and people that seemed exciting, stimulating and fun now seem dangerous and "terrible for families." Places, people and things that used to seem dull, eccentric or uninteresting are now "family friendly," peaceful and comforting. I am finding that I like being places that are familiar to me from my childhood and college days. I am excited to reconnect with events, resources and ideas that are meaningful to me. I also find myself slipping into old habits of road rage and frustration with the density of people.

Having these full circle experiences in life is kind of nice but at the same time reminds me that I'm aging. Having a child makes you think of that a lot anyway, I didn't need the extra reminders. But, the truth is, no matter how hard this ride of life turns out to be, going backward or never changing would never really be satisfying. I am comforted by the fact that I'm capable of appreciating more ways of being not only for myself but for others too. This is because I've "moved."

I believe that thinking and opening your mind is about moving. You go to different places with your ideas and ways of viewing the world and those in it. What amazes me is how many people don't seem to have moved at all, despite having undergone as much change in their lives as I have. How can some who have lived in the same place most of their lives have "moved" but those given every opportunity and resource to "move," never do? I think it's an important question to ask; some of you probably don't, no, some of you definitely don't.

I'm not certain that when I left here 12 years ago that I would have understood how important it would be for me to appreciate differences in the world and more importantly cultivate them in myself. I'm not certain I would have understood how important I think it is for my son to grow up in a world that embraces difference and respects it's necessity for the health of our society. My husband is always saying that being "liberal" (which I guess I am by Fox News's Standards) is an inherently weak position because it is one of tolerance. And, if you believe in tolerance you make room for the bullies who see things in a narrow intolerant way providing space for those who try to eliminate you as an independent thinker. Well, I guess...so be it...I like to move...and those who don't well, you know where to move.