Saturday, February 4, 2012

Marina Del Rey

February 3, 2012

It's late. Way too late to be writing...but a promise to do something is a promise...so here I am.

Marina Del Rey, CA

How is it possible to love a city so much?

I moved here in college. Loyola Marymount University was such an amazing place for me. It was here I feel I grew up. During the college years, I never appreciated my city. I wanted to move back to the San Fernando Valley, where my parents and friends resided.

But...over time...things changed. I got a job out of college in Marina Del Rey. For years...I still didn't appreciate where I lived. All I knew was I was working, going to school at night, dating or in a relationship and at the end of the night I would drive into my garage and go to bed. For years...I never saw the beach (even though it was 2 blocks away).

Fast forward 20 years. A lot of things have changed. I take long walks on the beach...I sit outside...I enjoy the weather. I don't drive when I'm in the Marina unless I absolutely have to. I finally learned to truly appreciate what I have.

The lesson that took me 20 years to learn is soon going to be put to the test.

As I have chosen a life of writing, traveling, and charity...well, my touchstone in the Marina will end soon. After half a lifetime...I'm going to say goodbye to the one place that felt like home. It breaks my heart to do this...but if I want to change my life, I'm going to have to make changes. I know I won't like all of the changes I have to make...but I'm doing this to allow new opportunities to come in place of the old.

My hope for tomorrow is that I learn to appreciate whatever comes my way...and that I enjoy every moment. What I hope to have learned is to never be so busy that all I do at the end of the day is drive into the garage...oblivious of the world around me.

May anyone who is reading this blog take the opportunity to appreciate all you have.


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