By Christina Fermin
Politics & Society Columnist
I have done quit a bit of traveling in the past few years. Everyone who knows me, knows how much I love to travel. As the opportunity arises, I am off. One thing I enjoy about traveling is the scenery, and how beautiful mother nature can be. I also enjoy seeing and feeling how places flow and work. Everyplace and every city is unique in its own way, some are beautiful and flow well with the area, while others falter in the flow and become ugly. One thing I have noticed is the vibrations different places hold, and how these vibrations affect me. With that being said, it makes sense on how some places people are more friendly than others, or how crime is higher in cities rather than rural areas.
I live in South Florida, where we are ranked 8th in population and most of the population is smushed together in area 110 miles long by 20 miles wide. The vibration I get as soon as I land here is one of anxiety, high maintenance, stress and on the go. Now granted, New York is the city that never sleeps, but South Florida is the city that is trying to catch up. Cities like Seattle, Portland, and San Francisco flow very nicely, people are friendly and things are more relaxed, not as tense as they are here or New York. You have enough hours in a day to do things. Within every city there is a bit of anxiety, but it’s all different. Some places are fun, while others are sophisticated, or simple. One will find more fear in a big city more so than a small town. People tend not to know their neighbors, or avoid them. I find it easier to isolate yourself in a city.
Rural areas are so very different. The pace is so much slower, things are so much simpler and they can be peaceful. I grew up in the Florida Keys and am very familiar with life away from the city. Key West is very laid back and care free, while places like Alabama and Georgia are more simple, religious, slow, but peaceful. Montana is very western, relaxed, peaceful, and fun. Rural small town places are more intimate and community driven, people know each other and help one another. Anxieties don’t run high 24/7 like a big city. It becomes easier to enjoy the smaller things in life, like the stars that fill the sky on a clear summer night, or the music played like an orchestra by frogs, crickets and other animals and insects.
I love getting away from the city. Time slows, life slows and I feel happiness all around. Things like style, status and money don’t matter. One of my favorite ways of getting away is camping, its cheap, fun and a good way to relax and enjoy the outdoors. It is also a good way of seeing other parts of the state that you usually don’t get to see. I love sitting by a camp fire with friends and family, telling stories and jokes under the night sky. It brings joy to me and always brings things into perspective. Life is not all about working toward a “goal,” it is about enjoying the moment and living in the present without worrying about the future or past. I find those are the moments that really matter, those are the moments that are never forgotten.
If you are like me and find the stresses of city life getting to you, when it feels like life is just zipping by, it is. Different cities carry different vibrations, depending on those vibrations of the collective consciousness will determine on how they directly affect you, just like someone being negative sometimes rubs onto you. If you are naturally a high stressed person, maybe moving to the country might be a good thing. If things are too boring and slow for you maybe you should move to a big city like New York, Los Angeles or Miami. One thing is for sure, living in the big city you get lost, and it’s good to take that trip out of your normal “element” and slow down, take it all in and never forget to live in the moment, bask in it because it’s happening right now and right now will never happen again.
Peace & Harmony,
Christina
About the Columnist
With a bachelors degree in political science from Florida Atlantic University, Christina Fermin has always cultivated her love for history, politics, sociology, ancient knowledge and teachings, the outdoors, the ocean and the environment. Christina strives to make our world better by helping us all create a new reality and understanding of all taking place here and now.