Living, Moving, Being

July 4, 2007 1:36am

As our time here in this gorgeous Portlandic escape draws itself nigh to an end, I find myself contemplating the better aspects of this shiny existence time and space have dropped into my lap.

Thinking Pittsburgh: I miss family, I miss my local bar, friends, the familiar comfort of the streets that I might walk to, the knowledge of where is and isn’t the best sushi around. Those things are all 3 time zones, 2500 miles and 10-12 states worth of roadtrips away.

But when I’m there I’ll miss the amazing public transportation, integrated nature and bicycle appreciation, not to mention friends here, of this fine city. I’ll miss being ~1hr from the most majestic coast this continent has to offer. Tree lined, canopied streets and the freedom from basically all responsibility.

What is life? What is the struggle, necessary or sought after like a particularly tasty orange, hardest to peel and juiciest, all over your lips and down your hands…can happiness even exist without that struggle?

Up Next: Making Motions

Discussion

Ms. Wakame 4 Jul 2007

Mmmmmm! Perfect.

Contentment I can easily find, but happiness seems to be something I have to strive for, whether I’m searching for it or struggling to keep it at maximum levels. Without any struggle it just slides back into placid contentment. At best.

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nathan 4 Jul 2007

As my years rage on I wonder what the difference between happiness and contentment is.

In previous days I would say that being content is only the first half of momentary happiness, and that if contentment was allowed to simmer it would go flat and spoiled, therefore requiring another mix up and change that could cause happiness or strife, depending on choices made.

Now I’m wondering if there’s a better balance to change and contentment.

Living in Pittsburgh = contentment and mild to extraordinary happiness to me.

Moving to Portland would mean change and a new chance at a different type of happiness, with all of the appropriate risks involved…

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