Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Morning Thoughts-- Experiencing Different Realities


I am finding it difficult to keep up my blog because it is about Mexico daily living and I am not in Mexico at the moment. I am still in Portland. I will be here until the 27th of August. My life is so different up here that my daily routines in Ajijic are quickly fading out of my mind. Funny how that works. I think, like me, most people have a hard time keeping more than one reality at a time in their heads.

Life is so all encompassing. We are bombarded with input from all sides, especially in a city. I believe that is why it is difficult for people to imagine a different kind of life than the one they are living. I have a friend here who is going through a hard time. She could have a much better life in Ajijic, with more friends and more spending money on the same income. But no matter how hard I try to convince her, she can't imagine it.  She is stuck in the thought that she must continue to be lonely, stressed out financially and unhappy.  No other reality seems possible to her. 

I could show her a thousand photos of Ajijic but that wouldn't make an impact on her. Nothing can beat actually experiencing a reality with all our senses. I get many e mails from people, expressing their fears of taking the plunge of moving to Ajijic. They ask me so many questions. I could spend all my time answering questions but my answers wouldn't make as much impact as ten minutes of the people actually being in Ajijic. Feeling the warm air and smelling the wonderful fragrances of the flowers and meeting the friendly people.  The freedom. That is how I see it. Freedom. The worries and stresses of modern living just slip away.  Life becomes much simpler.

Take away the long car rides that are essential to city living, life gets simple very quickly. Take away the crowds and people can risk being friendlier to strangers. We usually don't feel as threatened in smaller groups.   Take away the high prices and that stress is gone.

I could go on and on but I think I am preaching to the choir.

I fantasize about taking a vacation to a foreign country this winter (other than Mexico) but I am having the same problem of not being able to imagine it clearly enough to make it happen. Years ago, I spent four months in Thailand. At that time I didn't have any back, ankle or knee problems.

Getting older makes traveling more difficult. But mostly the problem is having the courage to take the risk. Fear of the unknown seems to get stronger as we age. Maybe it is because the longer we live, the more bad experiences we have had and the more vulnerable we feel. We are always vulnerable but younger people haven't been hurt much and so they feel more invincible. 

I will be here another month. I am enjoying what Portland has to offer. It is a beautiful city.  Especially in the summer. But I miss Ajijic. I also miss Chico. I hear from my friend, Lois, that Chico is very happy there. He has become the boss of all the other dogs. Yesterday, he was on her couch and dragged a second pillow from the couch and put it on top of his pillow and got on them both to sleep. That is Chico all right. He loves soft places. 

I wonder if there are some soft places waiting for me in Thailand......

12 comments:

  1. Jeanneb here again.There are places we want to go. As I mentioned on am earlier post, I have to go back to Sacramento for medical reasons. However, I want to go to Nova Scotia. Don't know why but I'm going to do it. Ever been there?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No I have never been to Nova Scotia. There are so many places I have never been to and would like to visit..... Thanks for commenting. P.

      Delete
  2. As you implied, we feel security in the known. Even if we aren't happy, we know how to act and react to our environment.
    Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Patricia. They made me think, and the story about Chico made me smile.
    :) Karen in VA

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Karen, Thanks for commenting. It is always good to hear from you. Hope you are enjoying your vacation. P

      Delete
  3. Good insight into risk, courage, and diminishing tolerance for the unknown as we age. Comfort zones can encompass a lot that doesn't work for us but is familiar so tolerable. For your friend who might benefit from considering Ajijic but can't bring herself to imagine it - you might suggest getting this book, which offers a variety of stories she might relate to... http://www.amazon.com/Midlife-Mavericks-Women-Reinventing-Mexico/dp/1581127197

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Stan, Thank you for writing and for that suggestion. Right now, she isn't even that far into considering a move. But she may take a mini vacation there in the future. I will than give her the book. P

      Delete
  4. Hi Pat,
    Good morning!

    Go where your heart take you, anyplace in the world will do it.
    You will run into many people just like you ....

    I am planning on trip to "Spain" this Fall by myself.
    I love "Spain" maybe that's why I love "Mexico" so much.
    Life is way too short to not follow your heart, my friend.

    Take great care of yourself, Pat.
    And try to remember everything is in witten your reach....

    Find a joy in little stuff and go out touch someone's heart.
    Only thing you will ever need is "Smile".

    Your friend from far away.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for that encouragement my friend from far away. P

      Delete
  5. HI Patricia, Great post. You have made a believer out of me. I can't wait to get to Ajijic, I wish I could go now. I have read so much about the area, I feel like it would be a homecoming! I also have read the book Midlife Mavericks. Great read. And in response to your last message, as soon as I have a time set, I will let you know and we can have a coffee or something together. Pam

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pam, Thanks for writing. Sounds good. I am looking forward to meeting you. I like that book. Very informative and inspiring. P

      Delete
  6. Hi Pat, this is your friend Mike Simmons. I have been following your stay in Oregon and I can tell you miss your friends and Chico. I too miss your pictures and posts about life in Ajijic and the area. You commented about Thailand. I was stationed in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand in 1965 in support of the Viet Nam war. I too miss the people and would like to go back but fear that it has changed. I look forward to your return to Mexico and your daily comments! God bless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hi Mike, Great hearing from you again. I miss your e mails. Your friend, p

      Delete