Moving? Go, But Pack Only Good Energy

Do I really need this?

Before I moved across the country, I had the pleasure of meeting @TheLisaDShow. An emigre from TX, she has candidly chronicled the experience of being in a new locale with family in tow.

She is celebrating the 1 year anniversary of the move, and you can view it here. She's a darn good blogger, and Evanston is lucky to have her. I especially like items #11 through #19. @TheLisaDShow, will you permit me to piggyback and add a few points of my own?

First, I am not my belongings and my belongings aren't me. It's a long story but I gotta have my stuff until I don't. Surprise, there is plenty of stuff in SF, and I need little of it. Shelter, warmth, a nosh, and wifi make the top four.

Second, leverage the undiscovered path. It will lead you to a vibrant sense of being. I won't go as far as to suggest I'm there yet. There is no recreating the life you had, but there is a new one waiting to be had. Again, not there yet, but I think it'll be pretty awesome.

Third, life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans. I'll ruin this if I elaborate, so enough said.

Fourth, if something isn't working, do something else. Anything is better than nothing. This relates to LisaD's point about jobs finding those who 'seek' or 'make' them. If you put a little positive energy into the universe, it will return the favor.

Fifth, create a little demand and you'll be in demand. This follows from point #4 I think.

Sixth, chill out and be yourself. Back to that positive energy thing.

Seventh, always move forward. That's right, learn from the past for the present and the future. The journey ahead is always way more interesting.

What else?

Passing of the Unicorn: A new day!

Last week I blogged about moving on, and as it turns out it is actually happening. Wow.

Passing of the unicorn to M Cowen

I've tried to keep this hush-hush, as I'm not for sharing the details of my life. You might say that I blew my cover when I blogged about moving last week. Au contraire mon fraire! A dirty secret about social media is that no one reads blogs.That was one of my top posts. It had 28 hits.

My ostensible reason for writing this post has to do with the US Masters Swimming team I've been pleased to be a part of for the past the six years, the Chicago Smelts. Master's swimming is hardcore, competitive swimming for adults who like that sort of thing. Right. Maybe you're asking where I fit? I've devoted myself to working behind the scenes, not to competing. Like in my professional life, I make sh*t happen and I do it pretty darn well.

Warning: Somewhat emotive portion of this post-  I've met some of 'my people' here. Really. The sort of friends that aren't temporal or limited in scope. They've welcomed me into their lives and vice versa. I'm better for it, and I hope they are too.

So it's time to pass along the unofficial 'mascot,' the unicorn.

A symbolic gesture, but not a hollow gesture. Tell me about a time you've passed your own 'unicorn'....

Miss you; maybe

I'm moving on which is good. I'm ready for a change, a new city and new opportunities.

Miss you; maybe

Sure I'm leaving behind good friends and family. But they might not like me so well if I stayed. I'm looking at this as a two year posting, then I'll assess from there. Nothing is forever, and besides friends and family can visit. Jeepers, call me every day if you want. You don't now, but you can start.

As my time in my familiar spaces grows shorter, and I think, 'Self, what will I miss?' That's an interesting thought, when you stop to examine. Would it make more sense to think of the things I won't miss? I don't want to write screed, so I'm going to avoid that.

But let's start by considering what it means to miss something or someone. Here's my perspective- I always like to think that if you miss something, that means you liked it in the first place. It (whatever it is) brought some pleasure, reassurance or satisfaction. I've got a long list, which is a good sign. Best to leave on good terms with fond memories. Right?

Here's a list in no particular order:

• Chicago Smelts
• Northshore Book Club
• Bike rides around Northwestern University
• Ba Le Sandwhiches- the sardine sub rocks!
• Taquerias on Clark Street
• Summer Sundays at Hollywood Beach - which I guess is now Osterman Beach and thus betrays me as old skewl
• Office space and friends at Creative Commune
• Being alone in my own home (sometimes)

Dirty secret- there are some things about the above I won't miss. But definitely missing more than not missing.

I'd love to hear from you. Have you moved a lot? What do you think of the concept of missing?

Let's discuss...