If I could live anywhere in the world I’d live here. Here. Where I am right now. The point of living is to live everywhere, anywhere – for better and worse, to make the best of every situation, or at least don’t become part of a problem when there is nothing to offer. Even being able to consider this question is a bit of a first world question. Most people in the world don’t get to choose where in the world they live. Their whole world exists maybe within walking distance of where they sleep and that might be the only safe place.
I choose to live where I am wanted, perhaps cared for or maybe even loved. That is nice. Somewhere safe and if possible warm inside. Perhaps I have to live in a place that is best for someone else. Like live near family, work, school, or medical care. Somewhere I can walk to get food and community. I plan to live in senior housing, a randomly created community of not necessarily like minded people. Right now, for me, that is where I choose to put my name on the waiting list. When I live there I hope I have enough mental and emotional capacity to live there – not just exist. What can I do to make it a reasonable chosen place to live? Take advantage of the offerings that interest me, maybe lead a meditation group, or join the outing club, and be kind to others who live there too.
Eleanor Roosevelt is credited with saying “life is what you make it.” I find it hard to believe that no one said that or something like it long before the 1940’s. Marcus Aurelius wrote , “our life [is] what our thoughts make it.” Aristotelian ethics declares life is meant for “exercising our unique rational and virtuous capabilities to the fullest”
Live today in conscious friendship, do no harm, and have fun being there.
Perilune On Earth 