On the corner of Redmond and Woodinville, just outside Seattle, there’s an old cement lot no bigger than a basketball court resting next to the highway. A local family owned ice cream shop did business there for 70 years before shutting down in the Summer of 2012. I have fond memories of the times my parents would take me and my brothers there after our soccer games. You couldn’t help but feel like you were eating a bite of history with each mouthful of sugary ice cream. Most days driving by, I wish that shop was still there.
But things change.
With each new building that goes up, crane that populates the skyline, dollar that gets added to the rent, and car that slows down the commute, comes the undeniable proof that Seattle is changing.
If you’ve ever practiced yoga, an instructor will typically ask you to “surrender to the pose”. We hold a lot of tension in our bodies and by only surrendering can we stretch deeper which inherently produces more change in the muscles.
Right now, Seattle is surrendering.
Surrendering to the gentrification major corporations have had on its culture. Surrendering to the global melting pot those same corporations have created. Surrendering to the fact that while the Seahawks have played in 3 Super Bowls, the Mariners may never make it to the World Series.
I’ve lived in Seattle my whole life and I love it; no matter how it changes. I’ve traveled to some incredible places, but I’m reminded of the same thing…
I’m willing to accept change, if it means I can call Seattle home.
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You can find Ryan online on Instagram at ryankhademi