In my most recent update, I wrote myself into a conclusion…a point which I had not really intended to make, but the more I think about it, the more sense it makes.

Why not Highlands? Why not now?

I’m not an alarmist. I’m not a conspiracy theory guy. I’m not one who’s going to vilify anyone or any political party just for the heck of it. I’m not stockpiling food and weapons.

But all that being said, it’s a crazy world out there these days. The economy looks as bad as it’s looked in a long, long time. Greece and the Euro. North Korea and Iran. Immigration unrest. Iraq and Afghanistan. Tea Party and Pelosi. Dead birds and BP and tax hikes and inept government…….and and and….

I’ve made the point many times as I’ve written on this site that Highlands and Cashiers and this whole surrounding area is NOT immune from the craziness of the world and the downturn in the market.

But for as long as this little town has been here, it’s been unique. A haven. A place where people came to get away from being somewhere else. Legend has it that the original town of Highlands was formed by crossing two pieces of strings on a map: between New York and New Orleans and Miami and Chicago. In one sense, we’re a center. A cultural center of fine art and fine restaurants and fine wine. Fine living. For a little town in the sticks, there’s a lot going on up here. (Just click on my helpful links button and explore; you’ll see what I mean.)

But we’re still in the sticks. It still rains a lot. It’s still 12-15 degrees cooler than anywhere else around. There are still lots of great hiking trails and little creeks with stones just waiting to be turned over.

It’s another world.

If you’ve EVER had the inclination to be here–either for a few down weeks a year, or for the rest of your life–now is the time to take action.

Perhaps it’s all a matter of perspective. The world is not nearly as crazy staring out into the horizon from a mountain perch or with your feet dangling in a cool creek.

We all struggle in our lives to identify the issues that matter the most…to find where we fit and how we function. Last time, I quoted the Wendell Berry poem “The Peace of Wild Things” and I paraphrase again here: when you lie in bed a night wondering how the center can hold (now I’m paraphrasing another poet too), the only option is to rest in the peace of the world.

The wackiness of the world is causing a lot of people to re-examine their priorities and perspectives. Perhaps now, more than ever, is the time for you to seriously think about planting roots in this little haven.