Last 30 Days of NYC-Day 10

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

• My day can be summed up in two words-Work, Out. Yes all I did today was work until late and then go work out. It was a day that a typical "New Yorker" sees. Work and then the night lights of the city blazing. 

You come to get used to the lights, the people, the shoving, the rudeness, and even the stupid old men who think whistling at you brings them back to their 20's. Yes, you eventually zone all of that out and pick up the beautiful diversity of the city, the amazing food that melts in your mouth, the appreciation for generosity and gentlemen, the wonderful creativity of architecture, beauty, and nature, and even the ever present lights of Times Square. I work in midtown, right next door to the Macy's on 34th street. So you can imagine my day is constantly surrounded by fanny packs, cameras, and foreign languages. 

But why do they come? Why does this city draw millions maybe even billions of people each year? 

They come to believe, to start over, the trust that out of all the things of this world that have fallen, something went right. Nobody knows why they love the city, its never one word, its a slew of adjectives and nouns. It's the possibility that each day holds something different, new, and possibly, frightening. It's like living Olivia and Stabler's life and knowing that one day you might just have to do a roundhouse "Chuck Norris" kick to the face of some punk, who some days is, yourself. Whatever it is, people come, crowds stand in wonder at the lights, the hope, and the vastness of possibility that one island holds for all who believe. This was my season in New York City, and the crazy thing is, all this happened to me, and it took me leaving to even stop and stand in awe at the true Light. It took having to walk away from it all to see the beauty of it all. So I tell you all this to give you hope that this city does hold possibilities, but only for those that believe that you can't find the true Light in the lights, the buildings, the fame, or the fortune. The only true Light is in the midst of the hearts of the people, the kindness of the bagel man, the humility of a homeless woman, the strength of the construction workers, the truth of the friendships, and the love of the community. It's all a apart of the wonder, the awe, and the hope that one day, all will be restored. It's New York City, and I promise you, its a wonderful place to be.