Help, I live in Worcester!
Worcester = pron. wu - ster
I live near this city called Worcester. It is the 2nd or 3rd largest city in New England, but has a horrible reputation. I’m not sure why, but it’s just not considered a great city in which to live. Here’s the interesting thing though – I love it!
I’ve lived in Ohio (the cornfield area actually); Pensacola, Florida; Tucson, Arizona; and Atlanta, Georgia, and I’ve loved Central Massachusetts just as much as the aforementioned places – I’m not even one to care about the beauty of an area. I say that because I live in an area of dense trees and forests, a half hour away from a mountain (though it’s not the biggest in the world – more like a large hill), an hour away from 5 other states, an hour away from the Atlantic Ocean, and two hours away from New York.
I mention this because I don’t think happiness or unhappiness has very much to do with what area of the world you live. I like warm weather, but I’m no less happy than I was when I lived south of the Mason-Dixon. In fact, an argument could be made that I’m more happy.
Why?
Here are a few reasons I think people are happy:
1. They have people they live near who will pour into their lives.
Family or not, what you really need to be happy in an area of the world is a group of people who will not allow you to be an island – To be out there all on your own. Not to rule over you, or to interfere with your life, but to simply be there when you need someone. Whether these people are mentors, friends, teachers, small group members, or all of the above.
2. Financially they have been wise enough to not be in debt.
One good way to start complaining about where you live is to get yourself in debt. At that point, it’s easy to start complaining about all your circumstances. But if you’re wise with your money, you’ll be much happier in general, no matter where you live. When I lived in Hotlanta, I wasn’t very wise with the funds God had given me, (although it wasn’t very much in the first place). Atlanta is very materially obsessive in the first place with their huge shopping malls and restaurant on every third acre of land, but couple that with my naievity about finances, and you have a great formula for unhappiness. So this amazing place which I now love to go back to was at this point in my life a miserable place.
3. Their life is about others, yet they are focused enough to not be doing everything.
As was the case for number 1, there must be people in your life who you can pour your life into, but they can also pour their life into you. The opposite extreme however, is very dangerous. Saying “yes” to helping everything and everyone will put you into quick miserable mode. Learn to say “no” in love. It will be as freeing for you in the long run as saying “yes” was to something you really needed to do.
For all I’ve written, sometimes, you just want to be somewhere else. And that’s okay. But if you are in a place where you can’t leave and just wdon’t want to be miserable, these three things can take you to a place of contentment.
Where are you? And are you content?
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I’ve always felt a little bit like a southerner trapped in the culture of the New England. But as many times as I’ve lived in the south… and loved the culture of the south… and the fact that you can depend on finding a decent chicken sandwich at every highway exit… I end up back in Worcester. I love it here.
Wild Willys
you don’t even need chicken sandwitches
Having lived here all my life – with the exception of 3 years in CT, and 2 years in Philly – i can say that i share your sentiments. The temptation from time to time is to be frustated or bored when the ‘wind’ blows either too hard or not enough. It’s at those times the grass always looks greener.
And for those who know me… if i can live with the political situation in this state, there must be something worth clinging to or i’d have been gone a long time ago. The truth is, this is home.
i suppose a really good follow up question for this post might be: If God wanted you somewhere else, how hard would you fight Him to stay? and… What kind of sign would you need?
Good post, Marty! During the short time you lived in GA, I always thought you had a great outlook on life, even when things were not so great. I will always remember you as someone who had a childlike enthusiasm for life, which is an enviable trait. Some circumstances make us happier than others, but true joy comes from within and that can’t be taken away from us,even if it is freezing cold and you can’t find a Chick-fil-a.