It's funny how removing yourself from your every day life and routine can really show you what is most important to you. Not only removing yourself from that habitual life, but stepping out from your comfort zone can be like taking the blindfolds off and seeing life a completely different and refreshing way.
This vacation I wouldn't say I stepped WAY out of my comfort zone, but there was definitely some stepping involved. Things such as meeting my boyfriend's family for the first time, praying I make a good impression, traveling, hoping the hiking shoes I purchased two days before leaving for a hiking vacation will get me up the mountain (could've done a little better planning on that one, but boy were those shoes lifesavers!), missing work and school, thinking about all the work I'd have to make up when back home -- all of these things can literally consume a person and drive you mad. I know, from experience. But after hurdling it all and finding that I was freaking out over nothing for the most part, I always find myself right back at the top of the mountain -- looking for miles and miles and feeling like there was nothing wrong in the world. How could there be bad things down in those beautiful valleys and across those breathtaking mountains? Certainly there isn't such a thing as annoying as homework. How could we live in such an awe-filled world and have troubles, worries, and confining comfort zones? There couldn't possibly be fighting, hurting, or crying in a world that is so peacefully quiet a few thousand feet up. Feeling so small compared to the world in front of me was such a humbling experience and truly one that I will never forget.
Speaking of humbling, on our little excursion to Portsmouth, Justin and I found ourselves standing outside of a quirky little toy shop. In their window they had a massive chalkboard hanging from the ceiling. We stood there for a few minutes reading what it had to say. It really put the unfortunate ideas of today's world into perspective and almost made me feel a little embarrassed because those words were so true -- but not necessarily words you would want to be true. The last sentence, which you'll see, reminds us to give hugs since they are free. Rereading this now makes me wish all those I love could be close enough every day to reach out and hug. Virtual blog hugs will have to do.
I took a picture of it but with the glare it wasn't readable, so I quick put together this little graphic so I could share.
Being back in Manhattan, which don't get me wrong is an awesome place all in itself, is sort of a depressing thought right now. I grew up in the country and think I belong in the country (of some sort). The concrete jungle is mystifying in its own sense but there will never be a day that I choose the streets of New York over the rock studded paths through the woods to the top of a mountain. One of the parts of living in NYC that I have always struggled with was the lack of pure, raw nature. Being in the country also means being surrounded by family and friends -- certainly any place that has those precious people in it has a leg up on any other location in the world. If New Hampshire did one thing and one thing only for me it would be that it emphasized my love for that sort of life. Things like the simple pleasure of driving down a dirt road to a family run apple orchard for homemade jams, cider donuts, and fresh picked produce or laying in a hammock hung in the large trees of an open green backyard or getting together with your big, loud, crazy family for a Sunday afternoon party. It may have not been my family, but Justin's family reminded me so much of my own and filled the room with the same amount of love.
As much as I miss home, New Hampshire, the country in general, I am working on finding my happy here in New York. This will be my home for at least the next three years. How miserable would it be to be longing for another place the entirety of the time you have someplace else? Afterall, how are you going to Meet Me in Gramercy if I'm always out cruising the countryside?
Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!
--xoxo
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