More Freedom

I’m hearing the faint sound of my wife playing her tiny harmonica, while I relax here in the Ocean View Pavilion on Block Island. I always enjoy coming to Block Island, particularly on these anniversary trips with Sandy. For me, it is such an escape from, no escape isn’t right as I don’t have much to escape from, it is such a refreshing change from my usual daily joys. And this year it feels extra relaxing and refreshing.

The last few months have been pretty stressful, with a lot of responsibilities. Above and beyond the current economic and real estate difficulty everyone is facing, we’ve been trying to get a mortgage for our new home, I’ve been helping with the work of the whole project our new home is part of, I’ve been looking for a new job due to a major re-org at work, oh yeah and my favorite activity (not), moving.

When I come here, I am able to really let go and just enjoy the moment, with no worries of whatever awaits when I get back. It’s refreshing for me, and I think for our relationship as well, aswe can enjoy each other without the stresses of outside events. We eat out without worrying about spending the money, we lie in bed without worrying about needing to be somewhere or getting something done.

With that kind of freedom from what I ‘have’ to do, it’s not only relaxing being here, but it’s motivating for at least 6 months prior just looking forward to the trip. Truth be told, only the first 2 paragraph’s of this post were written on island. The rest was written here in the Common House on January 17th, while I start more seriously looking forward to our June Block Island trip. I enjoy sitting quietly and watching snow gently fall, which I may get the chance to do tonight, and still enjoy thoughts of warm island summer days to come. I may very well have thoughts of watching snow fall while walking the shore at Block Island. 🙂

Mobile Blogging from here.

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]

A New Freedom

At long last, we have moved into our new home in Mosaic Commons. Most of our current neighbors are moved in as well, and we still have units for neighbors we don’t know yet. Know someone who might like living with a bunch of friendly, social folks in super insulated homes in the woods of beautiful Berlin, MA? Refer them our way, and you’ll get $1000 if they buy a unit. It’s like an old fashioned neighborhood I grew up on, where everyone knows each other, are ready to lend a hand, and the kids all play together in a safe environment without worries of unknown neighbors or dangerous streets. Yup, the kids are loving it too.

Something I didn’t expect is a new sense of freedom and calm that I experienced on our move in weekend. I often go to parties with a low level anxiety, as they don’t happen often enough, present scheduling and travel challenges as well as babysitting, and there are people attending that I don’t get to see often. I end up not wanting to miss a moment, and stress a little about whether I am getting all I the socializing I can. In the end it means I don’t get the most out of the party, ironically. Comes from that emotional, irrational side of people. 🙂

The weekend that we are moving in the last and biggest of our stuff, our building neighbors are having a party. Most of the moving was done for the day, and I am finding it very relaxing wandering in and out of the party, with none of my usual angst. Upon reflection, I realize that my neighbors being my friends means I’ll have plenty of socializing time, and anyone visiting will surely be visiting again often enough. No travel involved, and I don’t have to worrying about forgetting something at home. The boys are off playing with other neighbor kids and getting lots of fresh air and excersize I got to relax and enjoy the party in a way I’m not sure I’ve ever done before. It really felt like a new bit of freedom, from fun induced stress. Another benefit to my new community home. 🙂

[Posted with iBlogger from my iPhone]