Context, Common Courtesy, and Some Breathing Room

     When I wrote my profile for this blog, the English teacher in me knew using a word like "better" to describe the life I wanted was far too vague, which is why I said I wanted a life more in line with my values.  That statement, though, simply begs the question, "What are my values?"  What are the things that are important to me, at least as related to my decision to quit my jobs and move to a new place?  While I plan to discuss those ideas, I first want to provide some context for what prompted me to examine them in the first place.
     In November of 2012, one of my coworkers was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at the age of 62.  For those of you who are not familiar with the disease, I can tell you it is a very deadly form of cancer.  By the time someone exhibits symptoms, the cancer has generally already progressed to the point that it is too late to do much of anything about it.  So much so, in fact, that 95% of those diagnosed with it will not live more than another year.  Sadly, my coworker was one of those 95%.  
     His illness and death made me think a lot about my life and whether or not I was content with how I was living it.  Don't get me wrong--I have a lot of positive aspects to my life; however, I decided that if I didn't make some fundamental changes, I could end up being one of those people who come to the end of his/her life and regret the things he/she didn't do.  I don't want to be that person, so I started asking myself what I could do that would help ensure I didn't become her.     
     If you haven't ever examined your values, I have to say I think it's a great exercise we should all perform from time to time.  After all, our values guide what we do in life, right?  Pretty important stuff.
     I am going to identify my first value as two-fold:  common courtesy and some breathing room.
     Although I am originally from Wisconsin, I grew up in Miami and have spent most of my life in South Florida.  While there are certainly things I enjoy about this area--the beach, the weather, the cultural diversity--those things are being outweighed by too many people, many of whom are both rude and unfriendly.  "Please" and "thank you" are in short supply.  If someone passes you on the street, he/she likely won't acknowledge you with a "hello" or "good morning;"  instead, he/she will ignore you.  We (Mr. Weezy and I)  make it a point to meet our neighbors, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn the majority of South Floridians don't know the people who live near them.
     A large population creates a lot of traffic, and the traffic in So Flo is horrendous!  Aside from the fact that there are a lot of drivers, a great number of them are as rude on the road as they are off it.  For instance, if you are at a stoplight and it turns green, if you don't immediately hit your gas pedal, people behind you will start beeping their horns.  Of course, leaving as soon as the light turns green is dangerous because at least a few drivers coming on the cross street will run the red light.  Ever wonder why South Floridians don't use turn signals? Here is your answer:  If you use your directionals to indicate you want to change lanes, the person already in the lane to want to move to--even if they are half a mile back--will mash his/her gas pedal so as to try to prevent you from changing lanes and ending up in front of him/her.  It is as though driving is a highly competitive sport here, and everyone wants to be the "winner."  This is especially tough on Mr. Weezy and me because we ride motorcycles.  Riding here doesn't usually equate to a nice, relaxing time.  
     I would like to live somewhere where there are fewer people and those present treat others with a little care and respect.  I don't think that is an unreasonable expectation.  I am fully aware that no place is perfect; there are good people and bad people everywhere.  I do think, however, there are places that have fewer people overall and a higher percentage of nice ones than where I live now, and I wanna move to one of those places. 
     There are more reasons behind my decision to leave South Florida, but in an attempt to keep my posts at what is a manageable length, I will save the other ones for next time.