Good Life

I have never been one to let people/friends go easily.

I received an email the other day with the new One Republic song "Good Life" from my friend, Jenn. She simply wrote: "This song reminds me of you. Miss you." After listening to the song, I was amazed at how much the song really did remind me of myself-all the places Ive been and all the people I have met. Through my travels from high school to college to post college, I have met some incredible people and made some amazing friends.

Though I have met some amazing people, one of the hardest things throughout my nomadic life, has been keeping in contact with those friends that I hold closest to my heart. You see, I have found, that once distance and time zones separate people, it is hard to remain as close as you once were. Every time I have moved on, I have made as much effort as possible, through phone calls and emails, to not let go of those that mean so much to me. But then again, life goes on, people change, lives change, and people drift apart. As sad as that has been for me, I have begun to accept that this is the way life is and that I just need to move on and continue the making new friends process. I have begun to look at the friend process as one in which I learn something new from each person that I meet, rather than a sad parting and drifting. Looking at things with this perspective has really helped me get through the times in which I wish so and so was still there with me.

Moving to Colorado has really been the true test of my character and social skills. Coming out here completely alone, I really struggled at first to find those that I connected with. But with some patience and persistence, I have found a core group of people that I relate to and feel as though I can build strong friendships with. It is great because in the past, I feel as though I have gravitated to runners and running friends as the ones that I built my social network with. But out here, I have friends ranging from CU students to ski instructors to accounting executives. And as I connect with this variety of people, I am able to expand my horizons and perspectives on life.

Everytime I have moved, I have clung to those friends I had from my previous place of residence (richmond, charlotte, etc). They were the familiar, the ones who knew me best. But as I begin to establish myself out here, the effort is becoming a little bit less on my end to keep in touch with the previous and a little more on the end of those that truly want to keep in touch. For I believe that friendship shouldnt be forced, but rather, desired. I still love all of those that do not keep in touch, for I have created memories with them, that I will never forget. And for those that still do remain in contact, it means so much to me.

But ultimately, no matter where we go, we will always have the memories, the conversations, and the relationships, and for that I know, "its a good, good life".

"To my friends in Charlotte, I say hello
My friends in Chambersburg they don't know
Where I've been for the past few years or so
VA to Charlotte to Col-or-ado.

Oh, this has gotta be the good life
This has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life, good life

Say oh, got this feeling that you can't fight
Like this city is on fire tonight
This could really be a good life
A good, good life."