I Run This Town

photo credit: Ed Yourdon

Yesterday, while jogging through downtown Nashville, I noticed something. I noticed lots of things, actually. I noticed the people who were busy and in a hurry making their way from the train to their office buildings. I saw buildings that were being renovated to make way for condos and new retail stores. I also saw how dead an entertainment district can be at the crack of dawn.

When I run on my urban route, there’s a lot I pick up. There’s a lot that I see that most people don’t when they invade downtown for the day to make a living. I notice more things about my city that seem to be missed by tourists and bar hoppers and restaurant goers.

Seeing the city on foot each morning gives me a deeper appreciation and concern for my hometown. While I can be vocal about its shortcomings, knowing this place a bit more intimately means that I can also see its great potential. And that’s what leads me to declare that this is a great place to call home.

Feeling at home somewhere may just mean that we can feel a bit more balanced. Being happy where we are and enjoying where we live can make us stomach work a bit more and love life in a whole new way.

Do you enjoy where you live? Are their particular quirks to your neck of the woods? What is it you appreciate about your city? Knowing what you love will help you feel at home, which will add to your overall happiness about work and life.