Don't be a barnacle.

Last year my friend Brad sent me a link to an article by John Gardner. It was a powerful article about self/personal renewal. It's a long read, but well worth it if you have the time I suggest it. Of the many things said in the article there is one thing that really stood out to me.

Don't be a barnacle. As the story is told, a barnacle "is confronted with an existential decision about where it's going to live. Once it decides.. . it spends the rest of its life with its head cemented to a rock.."  
- What does this mean exactly? Do you know of anyone living the life of a barnacle, if so are you doing anything about it? I know so many people who I feel are "barnacles". Though one can argue that there are barnacles that are more fortunate than others. Some make the right choice and plant on a beautiful coral reef and enjoy everything life can offer. Others plant themselves on the bottom of a trash rig. I guess the point is that you shouldn't be a barnacle because you always want to and should have the option to better your life/self. Which brings me to the question, am I a barnacle? I struggle with this from time to time. I was born in Mass, raised in Mass, went to college and grad school in Mass and now live in Mass while working. I've always wanted to move, sometimes to San Diego, sometimes to Seattle but I never go. I used to have a strong desire to leave but now my desires have shifted to traveling the world. I feel that at any given moment I'm going to quit my job and travel the world for a few years. I wish this was sustainable in terms of income (and paying student/car debt) but it isn't. That's my biggest obstacle. I do wonder if my lack of desire to leave the northeast is because I have made my choice (awww, shit). But the more I think of it, the more I am ok with my choice. Seems like I landed on the great barrier reef. Not too shabby if you ask me.

Whelps, thanks for reading my rambles. Just shit talk at the end of a long workday. It's probably not very reader friendly. I think I fell asleep twice writing this. Now time to go home and bust out a 2 hour workout. Hooray? Since when do barnacles workout?