Ah Ha moment?

I have learned, or should I say become wiser about the comments and reactions of friends to things I talk about, like my dreams, my searches for a better life.  I can understand their point of view since I have relocated several times in my life. Thankfully I have made lasting friends in each of those places.

Originally from Michigan, I moved to Miami, Florida for 9 years, then to Ireland for 12 years, and now in Atlanta, Georgia since 1990 except for a recent stay in Napa, California for about 5 months.  My plan was to stay in California.  However, for some reason I kept getting the nagging thought that I had to come back to the Atlanta area.  Thank God my house did not sell since it gave me and Bear a place to move back into.

I have never felt “at home” here, and most of my friends are married with children.

There is no where nearby where I would enjoy going for long walks and just wandering, and maybe having the occasional conversation with a stranger.

My brother and I are very close, but he lives in Michigan with his family and near mother where she is in assisted living as she has Alzheimer’s.  I know he would love for me to live there, but I just don’t want to be in that extreme weather in the winters and so many months without sunshine.

I have been to Greenville, South Carolina several times and love the area.  And, every single person I have ever met there has been so friendly, and they tend to have conversations with strangers as if they’re already friends.  I have been telling my friends here about it, and said if I could find work there I would move…specially since I have not found work again here in Atlanta area.  I am not planning to just up and make a move right now.  Moving in itself is no fun.  All things would have to fall into place before I would do that.  However, it is nice to talk about such a nice place, and it is close enough to go for day trips.

I have been getting some negative comments from friends, probably playing the devils advocate.  The attitudes in the tones are strangely like my own when I feel strongly about something.

Ah ha…Today I realized two things about this type of situation.  First of all, when we react to our friends like that, about things they want to do which may take them away from us we get sort of upset at the thoughts of losing them, and so our tones project our inner feelings.  Secondly, I am so much more aware of how I affect others when I do the same thing to them in similar situations.

Anyone who has thoughts on any of this, please feel free to contact me.