Happiness in a town called Salt Lake
Gillian & I in 2006
This evening I enjoyed a delicious dinner at Faustina with my friend Gillian and her colleagues at Keen Footwear.
Gillian is one of the several wonderful people I left behind in Portland, OR. Each time Gillian and I get together we have a wonderful conversation about what we have missed with each others lives since the last time we saw each other.
I saw her just after Christmas when I made a trip to Portland, but we didn’t have enough time to catch up on the 2 year span prior to that, so tonight we continued.
During my last visit to Portland I realized just how many bad memories I have associated with that town. I have always referred to my experiences there very positively and for the first year being back in Utah, I longed to return.
The reality is that despite having at one time been convinced I could never be happy in Salt Lake City, I am much happier here than I ever was in Portland. I had a lot of life experiences during my time living there: long term unemployment due to the dot.com bust, one bad job after another and a 6 1/2 year relationship that was writhed with pain and let downs.
What I have come to realize is that even though Portland offered many aspects I have not found in Salt Lake City, a city cannot create happiness. You create your own happiness. If you rely on other people or outside influences for happiness, you’ll never find it.
I’ve spent the last 3 years in Salt Lake City, looking for and finding my happiness. It has been a difficult path, but one with many rewards along the way.
By the way - don’t let this deter you from visiting or moving to Portland. I still stand my ground that it is a beautiful city with a lot to offer. The friends I made there will never be replaced. I faced my demons during my last visit and will now return just to see the wonderful people the city houses.
