Published by Craig Corti on 4/13/2023
I know you can hear the Clash's legendary opening guitar riff from 1982 in your head.
"Should I stay or should I go?"
Well I have come up with an answer. You should stay. I'll explain why:
Most of us like to travel to some degree. Experiencing an adventure. Whether you are captivated by architecture from an ancient city abroad or you enjoy a peaceful countryside 2 hours away by car, there is something special about spending your hard earned money and valuable time to go experience a different environment. It's refreshing to take a sabbatical from the weight of the week.
To get there you have to go. What does that mean, you ask?
Well it's quite obvious. To get somewhere you have to GO somewhere. Wouldn't you rather just stay? After all, it's less time intensive and more comfortable.
Hold your horses pal. It can actually be quite the opposite depending on your frame of mind.
I few weeks ago I had come to the realization that I was eager to travel deep into the southern Appalachian mountains any weekend I had the chance. I was almost impatient. During any given week, I had the desire to drive 2-3 hours from Charlotte, North Carolina into the seemingly endless backcountry of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I wanted to hike, camp, run, sit, and listen. If you have ever been to a vista in the Appalachians you would understand why. The views and the wind complement one another and reward you with a truly memorable experience each and every time you visit.
The desire to want more became crippling. I would find myself trying to come up with an itinerary that would maximize my adventure. To some degree, I felt that if I did not have a more extraordinary experience than last time, then it wouldn't really be worth the 3 hour drive. I realized very quickly that this was the wrong mindset.
When did I lose touch with my sense of gratitude? Where was my appreciation for the natural environments in my own community? I truly asked myself these questions and immediately came up with the answer, I should stay! There was no reason I could not enjoy the local natural environments and nature preserves that are close to home.
Within 2 weeks I booked a one-night stay to go camping in the McDowell Nature Preserve in south Charlotte near Lake Wylie, South Carolina. I had a truly rewarding time. I listened to a crackling campfire, I enjoyed looking up at the stars while trying to pick out constellations that I knew off-hand, and I woke up in the early hours of the morning to the sound of a barred owl hooting. Those 3 hours of observation and self reflection in Charlotte's backyard were time intensive. Sleeping on the ground was uncomfortable. My renewed mindset afforded me the ability to have a vastly different night within a stones throw of where I lived.
I had nearly the same peaceful experience, less the mountain vista, that I would have had driving 3 hours to Western North Carolina. I simply replaced the vista and focused on the budding trees high in the sky instead. After all, we do share the same community.
It's easy to forget about the beauty that surrounds us every day. I challenge you to start appreciating some of the seemingly insignificant things on your way to work. Take a slightly different route when you walk or drive to the grocery store.
Pause for a second.
Be observant.
Should you stay?
Yes.
-Craig, Old-Timer Mindset
I know you can hear the Clash's legendary opening guitar riff from 1982 in your head.
"Should I stay or should I go?"
Well I have come up with an answer. You should stay. I'll explain why:
Most of us like to travel to some degree. Experiencing an adventure. Whether you are captivated by architecture from an ancient city abroad or you enjoy a peaceful countryside 2 hours away by car, there is something special about spending your hard earned money and valuable time to go experience a different environment. It's refreshing to take a sabbatical from the weight of the week.
To get there you have to go. What does that mean, you ask?
Well it's quite obvious. To get somewhere you have to GO somewhere. Wouldn't you rather just stay? After all, it's less time intensive and more comfortable.
Hold your horses pal. It can actually be quite the opposite depending on your frame of mind.
I few weeks ago I had come to the realization that I was eager to travel deep into the southern Appalachian mountains any weekend I had the chance. I was almost impatient. During any given week, I had the desire to drive 2-3 hours from Charlotte, North Carolina into the seemingly endless backcountry of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. I wanted to hike, camp, run, sit, and listen. If you have ever been to a vista in the Appalachians you would understand why. The views and the wind complement one another and reward you with a truly memorable experience each and every time you visit.
The desire to want more became crippling. I would find myself trying to come up with an itinerary that would maximize my adventure. To some degree, I felt that if I did not have a more extraordinary experience than last time, then it wouldn't really be worth the 3 hour drive. I realized very quickly that this was the wrong mindset.
When did I lose touch with my sense of gratitude? Where was my appreciation for the natural environments in my own community? I truly asked myself these questions and immediately came up with the answer, I should stay! There was no reason I could not enjoy the local natural environments and nature preserves that are close to home.
Within 2 weeks I booked a one-night stay to go camping in the McDowell Nature Preserve in south Charlotte near Lake Wylie, South Carolina. I had a truly rewarding time. I listened to a crackling campfire, I enjoyed looking up at the stars while trying to pick out constellations that I knew off-hand, and I woke up in the early hours of the morning to the sound of a barred owl hooting. Those 3 hours of observation and self reflection in Charlotte's backyard were time intensive. Sleeping on the ground was uncomfortable. My renewed mindset afforded me the ability to have a vastly different night within a stones throw of where I lived.
I had nearly the same peaceful experience, less the mountain vista, that I would have had driving 3 hours to Western North Carolina. I simply replaced the vista and focused on the budding trees high in the sky instead. After all, we do share the same community.
It's easy to forget about the beauty that surrounds us every day. I challenge you to start appreciating some of the seemingly insignificant things on your way to work. Take a slightly different route when you walk or drive to the grocery store.
Pause for a second.
Be observant.
Should you stay?
Yes.
-Craig, Old-Timer Mindset
