Word of the Week: Present

Life Lesson:

A few months ago, Andrew and I took a trip to Denver, CO. Between you and me, we were checking out Denver as a potential spot for our next life chapter. There were so many things we loved about the area: the sunshine, the blue skies, the mountains, the farmer’s markets, the gluten-free cafes, the craft beers, the mocktail bars, and the slower pace of life. While part of me was ready to move to Denver tomorrow, the other part of me was excited to return to the hustle and bustle of New York City.

“I just miss the buzz, you know?” I told Andrew on our flight back to NYC.

This, coming from the gal who complains every other day about NYC being too crowded, too loud, too fast, too intense, and too nature-deficient. Was I more of a city girl than I thought???

About a week after our Denver trip, Andrew and I went out for a Date Night and had what I would categorize as a “Very NYC” evening:

1. Live Performance – The main event was to see a live taping of one of our favorite podcasts, How I Built This with Guy Raz. The show was with Christina Tossi, another hero, who is the founder of Milk Bar and an all-around badass. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, feeling endlessly inspired by the opportunities and creative spirit of NYC. You couldn’t wipe the big fat grin smeared across my face if you tried.
2. Times Square – Afterwards, we made our way through the craziness of Times Square. While usually this experience is so intense I get nauseous, there was something about the insanely bright lights, massive crowds, and unnecessarily large billboards that plucked a heartstring for me that night. It was if I finally understood the magic of Times Square.
3. Tacos – We decided to venture over to one of our favorite taco spots and were able to place an order right before they closed. As we stood there munching on our tacos, chatting about the show, and hearing the entire staff speak Spanish behind us, I had another wave of nostalgia. I loved everything about that little NYC moment.
4. Art – As we made our way down into the subway station, we were greeted by music so beautiful I got goosebumps. The music came from this young Black electric violinist whose talent blew me away. Everyone at the station moved to the beat and even though it was 10pm, the energy was so high it could have been the middle of the afternoon. The caliber of artists in this city is out of this world.

I’ve been reflecting a lot about this night because it reminded me that Andrew and I are exactly where we are supposed to be right now. I’ve felt so much pressure to figure out “what’s next” (read: Denver trip), that I didn’t realize how much it was taking away from being able to enjoy the present. So instead, I’m tuning out the voices that tell me I need to plan out my future and trusting that I will know when it’s time for the next life chapter to begin.

NYC is where my heart is for the time being, and that’s enough information for now.

Ask Yourself: Are you someone who tries to plan everything out or are you able to enjoy things for what they are in the moment? How can you make an extra effort this week to be present and appreciate whatever chapter of life you are in?

Weekly Mantra: I trust the process.

 

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