it's interesting how sometimes you have to leave where you're at in order to see things for what they are... or perhaps even to see that things aren't what you thought they were. because when you leave the place you are comfortable in you begin to ask questions and start to see things in a new way. you realize that nothing that is happening to you or around you is normal. what is normal? and why are we assumed to behave a certain way? why is it not "normal" to go somewhere whithout having a plan? you begin to question and think harder about the simple and mundane. and in a new place it seems as though nothing can or should be taken for granted because it is all a part of your experience. and you better soak it all up cuz you know you won't be there forever.
when you're stuck in the same place for too long, it's hard to step out of your comfort zone. you become trapped within your daily routines, occasionally trying something new, however, your view of your surroundings has already been set in stone and it is difficult to adjust your eyes to new lighting.
so what's it about? it's about the 2 guys that sell fruit and vegetables on the side of the road. in your own setting, they are just "those guys" and they stay that way in your mind because you are comfortable where you're at and don't feel the need to mingle your life with their's. but in a new place, doing just that is an adventure. those 2 guys become j.r., more affectionately referred to as frickin indiana jones, and jimmy, the hustler, who actually have more in common with you than you think. indiana jones studied cultural anthropology and went on to work with native tribes in the upper north west and jimmy is just trying to make a living and loves fresh cantalope. it makes me wonder who "those guys" are back home.
what i'm getting at is that we take life for granted and even people for granted when we are comfortable. but that's just it. we weren't meant to live comfortable lives centered around ourselves. and it took leaving the things i knew (or thought i knew) for me to figure that out.
so where are you and how long have you been there? perhaps it's time to leave. time to leave your own idea of comfort and venture into the big wide world around you. time to ask questions and see things from a different point of view. it's time to go. so pack your bags. and leave. but don't worry. you'll be back.
4 comments:
very well written, stimulating and motivational!
I completely agree with you my love. So tomorrow morning... I'm going to pack my bags and go. Again.
Ive been doing it frequently this summer - and every move brings a new perspective. Each of them are treasured!
Ally!! You are an incredibly talented writer! Really... I am extremely impressed :) You are inspiring and a wonderful photographer as well. Thank you for capturing the beauty of what you are experiencing and allowing others to experience it with you.
So Ally, I don't know why I just discovered your blog now, but it is phenomenal! THANK YOU for it! I am not usually one who sits down and reads a lot of stuff, but my eyes want to keep reading and hearing your thoughts and epiphanies. #1: you have such a soft, open, passionate heart which leads to #2: thank you for sharing that with people. It is challenging to me. I love that. #3: You bring up so many great points. #4: On this entry, I have some questions if you don't mind... What about now that you have come back from "leaving" and are now back in the comfortable, has it been comfortable? If it hasn't, how have you learned or found ways to get out of the comfortable (without physically leaving your surroundings)? If it has, why do you think that is? How do we stop being comfortable before it happens? Anyways... sorry bout the long comment and the kinda weird timing of this message. Your allyallyoxenfree blog caught my eye and then I was just super interested in your writing. You are incredibly talented. Thanks. Would love to talk to you more about some of your writings again sometime. Merry Christmas!
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