Look around you, Muskegon…

Part of the colorful advice on life on a wall in a downtown Muskegon alley.

“The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware.” –Henry Miller

So, I get it, Muskegon. You’re tired of seeing the same things every day. You drive the same roads, see the same buildings – or lack thereof – and houses, and try not to think about your frustration at city officials for things not moving forward. Well, I say this, Muskegon – and it’s something I’ve had to do myself: Wake up.

Yes, wake up, Muskegon. Look around. So, you can’t make it to the beach or a fun restaurant today. So, there’s more activity in Grand Rapids. More cute shops downtown Grand Haven. So, you’re busy with your job, your family, your to-do list … So what, Muskegon? You really think there’s nothing to notice? Nobody new to meet around you? No one bettering the community? Think again, Muskegon. 

It’s not always obvious, but there are people out there moving the Port City forward every day. Opening new businesses downtown and around the city. Keeping the shorelines clean by voluntarily picking up debris. Planting flowers and trees and signs to make you smile or laugh or point you in the right direction.

The catch? Many of them are not in the newspaper or on the TV. There are no billboards extolling their virtues. They’re just quietly plugging along, believing in Muskegon, making it a little better every day. Often, this happens in small ways: A painstakingly restored home. Planters of flowers decorating the sidewalk. A colorful painting on the side of a building. If you’re not open to it, you’ll never see it.

So, please, Muskegon, look around. Check out the little quirks throughout the city – and they’re there, guarantee it. Talk to the neighbor working in his garden. Admire the tidy house with the inspirational saying. Look for the exceptional and you’ll find it. I know I have - and it’s like I live in a whole new Muskegon. Come join me: It's a lot more fun, exciting, interesting, and beautiful here. I'll look for you.

--Imaginer

P.S. Please share any interesting images, encounters, or experiences you’ve had here. You might point someone in the right direction… 

Easter and Halloween on the way to Lake Michigan...

Signs point to an interesting future...

Lakeside volunteers ... out there every year, making Muskegon better.

This Muskegon street has a name...

The sky's the limit, but dreams are all around, and below, like in this North Muskegon rock garden.