Dear Erika:

“Even before moving to Dallas I wasn’t always at peace with myself and moving to Dallas I thought it might help but I realized maybe it’s just me and not the city?”-

– It is always just us, everything that we experience happens in the short distance between our ears. Moving to another city or country or continent does not change the place where we really live, our brain/ body. It can help though, moving away from abusive situations or family that maintains our misery in one way or another.. or moving away from reminders, as well as moving to a city with greater job opportunities, or a better weather, more social life (or less, as we desire).

Your nephew and niece, they are a plus, in your hometown. How about your mother and other family members there, how are those relationships, refreshing or draining .. or?

anita

I think I am just going through an existential/midlife crisis right now where I’m trying to figure out what’s really important in my life…

That’s a good place to start.  From personal experience be careful of analysis paralysis. discovering what is in important in life requires both being and doing the trick I think is to be very mindful of the judgments and labels we measure ourselves by as we work on ourselves.

You use the words inner peace… What would inner peace look like to you?

Hi Erica,

Since my post yesterday, I’ve come up with an idea for a project that you might like to try.  Have you thought of making a scrapbook for your niece and nephew on Dallas.  It might take a bit of research but nothing too onerous.  You could include things like the oldest building, the most impressive building, local beauty spots, statues, commemorative plaques, famous people that have lived there, a regional recipe, a quaint church, a photo of yourself and your room mate standing next to the Dallas sign maybe, a quirky car, a street performer, a favourite tree, a festival, an animal sanctuary.  Find pictures, prints, photos and news articles to include.

Find an elderly resident to “interview”.  Prepare a set of questions and ask them about their life, where they were born, family background, schooling, occupation, hobbies, what they like and dislike about Dallas, important events, what dreams they had, whether they were fulfilled, how has Dallas changed.  If they don’t mind, take a photo of them.  Buy them coffee or lunch – most people like to talk and you might just make their day.  Precis their story into easy to understand language for your nephew and niece.  Children just love to engage in this way.  Get your creative juices flowing!

Whilst sitting in the sun on a park bench this morning, watching the swans gliding across the water, I was inspired to write this poem for you.  I hope you like it.

Welcome to Dallas

Welcome to Dallas – it’s now been a year, I’ve been very sad and I’ve shed many a tear                                                                             Yet when I put a smile on my face, I find that the world is a much happier place                                                                                         I’ve met with kindliness from the advice that I’ve sought, and I’m beginning to engage with positive thought                                     Love will come in love’s own way, though I’ve had to kiss some frogs along the way                                                                                   I’ve lived with indecision but that’s OK, I’ve needed the space in which to say                                                                                         Today is the day that matters the most so I’m going to raise a glass and make a toast                                                                               To all the days when I didn’t have a plan, To all the people who told me “I CAN”                                                                                       To all the dreams I can reach out and touch, Thank you, thank you, thank you so much!

All the best for the future

Peggy