Geographic Cures?

After spending the holiday weekend with friends in Kingston, New York, I couldn’t help but notice how they have changed since moving out of Brooklyn. There’s supposed to be no such thing as a geographic cure – we take ourselves with us wherever we go. And yet, geography does seem to have made a huge difference.

One of my friends is a woman who led a fairly limited life in Brooklyn. She went to work, she came home, she walked her dog, she listened to a little music or watched a little TV, she went to bed. Since leaving Brooklyn, she’s bought a condo, spent a lot of time decorating it, has started to go to local theater, fairs, and the occasional movie. After decades of no vacations, she’s just returned from a cruise. Yes, she still walks her dog, listens to music, watches a little TV. But she’s doing a lot of new things too.

The other friend has not changed his interests as much as his demeanor. He used to be a little angry with the world, argumentative, and given to complaining. All that is gone. He’s a joy to be around – open and accommodating.

So, I wonder how geography has played into these changes. Is it because they have more time? Is it fewer pressures? People move a little slower in Kingston. They remember you. There are trees and birds and lots of open space. Perhaps it’s just a matter of finding the right surroundings. These two people simply found the right fit for them.