I want to move

     Of course, it is the most wonderful time of the year, right?  Here in the transient, retirement, and commuter state of Florida, the "snowbirds" are coming back down; traffic is increasing; vacation and seasonal homes are filling up; Commercial services, retailers, and service industries are booming; and natives along with former natives are coming back into town.  Ode to joy.

     I obviously moved back to the town I am from because my family lives here.  I am not necessarily in a position to up and move right now and i am lucky to have a place to stay.  Nonetheless, every year around this time, I always end up running into some "kid" or two I used to know.  I was a semi-popular kid for whatever it's worth.  But at the end of the day, that counts for jackspit.  I don't like to visit the past.  In fact, I like the past right where it is, "in the past!" Better yet, I would love to erase some of the past if that was possible and start from scratch.

     I am a way different person now then I was back then.  I have grown by leaps and bounds.  I LOVE DISCRETION. I like to keep my business in house.  I want to be out of sight, thus out of mind.  I like things to be uneventful, smoothe, and under control.  When things the waves come in, I like to go with the flow for the most part.

    It's always around this time that I run into these people, gossip mongers and people who still think I am 14, and usually pointless conversations ensue.  Conversations always go something like:

• Some kid: Hi (lowly file clerk/J.D.)
• Me: Hey. How are you?
• Some kid: Good. What have you been up to?
• Me: Not much. You know, this and that.
• Some kid: What are you doing now.
• Me: Oh not much of anything. Like I said.
• Some kid: Oh.  Do you still keep in touch with so and so?
• Me: Who? Sorry, I don't remember who that is.
• Some kid: Okay. I'm sure I'll see you around.
• Me: Indeed.

     I am no psychologist, but it doesn't take one to know certain people do not have your back, and those same people don't have your best interest at hand.  You can get a sense from past interactions, they way they look at you, the things they say to you, etc. . .  All jokes aside, these people can be detrimental and dangerous.  Character assasination, when people gossip about you and spread rumors about you can be difficult to recover from. 

     I've never really had to face anything like that, but that is because I keep to myself and I have a very small tight knit circle of friends. True friends are nearly impossible to come by, so when you find them reciprocate the love and keep them.  Let them know you have their backs. Look out for them as you expect them to look out for you.

    The thing about the past and the people in it is many times these people want to chain you to your past. People evolve, almost daily. We develop different tastes. We grow to love and hate. We form and unform different relationships. People are complex evolving organisms always adapting and everchanging. To think you have someone pegged down is often a mistake. People will surprise you. The best expectations are no expectations.  Don't be tied down to your past and the people in it.  Allow yourself the freedom to grow and to be better.