A large piece of the second tier of the Building Block model is Quality of Life. So where does one who lives in Cody begin defining that topic? It’s common to hear the comment that we have a high quality of life in Cody. But it’s as common to hear people complain about it as well. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder!
Perhaps we take for granted the amazing place in which we get to live, work, and play!
Quality of Life is defined as the degree to which an individual is healthy, comfortable, and able to participate in or enjoy life events. So, stepping back from that definition and looking at these three main themes, it’s easy to see why Cody people feel they have a high quality of life.
Healthy – We’re healthy because of the magnificent natural environment in which we live along with our outstanding healthcare system. There is no doubt that we have one of the greatest venues for outdoor recreation on the planet. It doesn’t really matter what you like to do outside-we’ve got it. Many communities speak of abundant recreation opportunities, but few can really build a list of dozens of world-class experiences. Additionally, as I guide guests on a community visit, the guests often ask about our population. They do so because what they see in our health care infrastructure far exceeds their expectation for a community of 15,000 people. They say the same thing when they see our Recreation Center!
Comfortable– Just what does that mean? To me, it means having what we need without reliance on any external sources. If I need something, I don’t have to go far to get it. When you think about that, it’s true, Cody is a community that has a diversity of offerings which cover virtually every need. And while people certainly have the option to leave the community to acquire their wants and desires, it’s a choice, not a necessity. Many small communities don’t have the availability of basic goods and services and are forced to travel to obtain them. I’m grateful we don’t!
We’re also comfortable because of our climate. While it’s a routine practice to comment about the weather, quite frankly our highs and our lows are really moderate. It must be illegal in Cody to have a conversation and not talk about the wind. But while the wind has its days, those occurrences are a few days in a month equaling a few weeks out of a year. On average, Cody has a pleasant climate. Perhaps we like to complain about it to scare off other people!
Participation – My comments on this topic may raise a few eyebrows-especially for some parts of the demographic. But frankly, if you can’t find something to do in Cody-you’re not looking hard enough. Many of the people that I associate with make the comment that they wish they could just stop and do nothing! Cody is a place where people who are engaged in the community seldom want for something to do. From a community service standpoint, it can be an all-in proposition. From an entertainment or recreation standpoint, I’d ask what’s stopping you from taking advantage of those opportunities? Have a bike? Take a ride. Have 2 feet? Take a walk. Like music? Find others who do as well and start an informal listening group. Love books? Join a reading group.
I hate to hear people tell me that there’s nothing to do in Cody, because frankly, I don’t understand that comment. The biggest obstacle to participation might be you.
Our culture is chock-full of messages telling us that what we have isn’t good enough or that we need more. We’ve come to judge our lives based on what we see others having or doing. Social media has people addicted to watching what other people do, what they eat, where they go – all creating a sense of inadequacy in ourselves. Maybe we should spend more time being grateful for what we have – not wishing for what we don’t.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you want to see good, you’ll see it – and vice versa.
