Viewing entries in
Moving to New York
In a last ditch effort to save any real chance at a love life, I’ve resorted to picking up guys on the subway. Most recently I’ve decided to let tall, dark-eyed men know whenever they accidentally drop something out of their pockets. Pockets which they awkwardly never have. [Excerpt]
I found out the hard way, receiving awards and impressive remarks often becomes an addiction, an enslavement of the mind. The more you do, the more you feel the need to do, to stay ahead of others and your past self. And when you're not doing, you feel worthless to the world. It's one thing to be build a resume to get into college or to get a good job, it's another thing to believe that resume gives you self-worth. We live as social profiles unable or unwilling to admit that Saturday night we did nothing. Looking back, tennis was trying to free me from those future expectations. [Excerpt]
There’s something about the quiet stillness on Sunday nights that forces us to look within. If we are wanting to reach a higher potential, we must make room for better than the present. We must sink into the uncomfortable stillness and let it open up doors. It’s easy to get too busy to ever feel this stillness, to ever feel the discomfort that comes from wrestling with our dreams, and that’s exactly why we must. Living in the middle of New York City, I’ll attest to the fact that the world’s noise is unending. Too often we give up on hearing our inner voice and follow everyone else’s instead. [Excerpt]
There’s more to it than subway maps and spiritual cycling. My first year in New York has been quite the whirlwind. But in between the heights of steel and emotions, I’ve had a good amount of space to sink down deep into my own awareness and think about my journey. If we turned back time 365 days, here are the five lessons that I would aim to teach myself at the start of this adventure. [Excerpt]
October is my favorite year, err month, for a million different reasons. Mostly involving the saturation of colors and football, of friends and food. My first October in the city was certainly no exception. I felt like the luckiest boy in the world to have 8 friends visit in October. If you visited, please don't let that number diminish the fact that you were here. After all, you are my favorite. I'm ever thankful for the memories we were able to share. [Excerpt]
Fall. Everyone's favorite culture. Even the textiles seem softer and smoother and more gentle on the skin. As if the air itself tastes like grace. Cathartic clouds -- turquoise sheets draped behind gray piles of cumulonimbus lace. A cool breeze blowing through, carrying us back to high school football games and bonfires on beaches where we've never been, but we always imagined that we did. The feeling of a thousand memories inhaled in one whiff, the taste of sweet nostalgia and college meal plans. [Excerpt]
No matter how wonderful you are. Or think you are. What really makes people wonderful is when they bounce back with faith and anticipation for the next time around. Believing that the win is coming. No matter what actually happens. [Excerpt]
The belief that anything is possible, and that your friends really are the best. Because, well, they are. And in this moment, you're reminded of why that's so very true. Eventually, we'll get the chance to do it all again. But in the meantime, my suitcase sits like a time capsule on the floor of my bedroom. Reminding me of the fun that was had. I'm not prepared to unpack just yet, I need the memories to reside here. [Excerpt]
The fear didn't just immediately melt away when I made up my mind to go on this adventure. No, first fear tried to bring all its friends, every single one of my insecurities, along on this vacation. [Excerpt]
If I'm being honest, I feel as though I've been called out into the wilderness. Bear with me on this one. Yes, I know New York City wouldn't quite be described as a wilderness by experts of geography or ecology or theology or desertology. But think of it this way... [Excerpt]
The worst. That feeling of homesickness settling in, and had money been plentiful, I probably would have chosen to catch the next flight out of here and back to Nashville for the weekend. I only tell you this so you know it's not always sunshine and rainbows. I've gotten better at being vulnerable over the years, and I'm finding authenticity delicious. [Excerpt]
It's been a whirlwind to say the least. New city, new apartment, new art for the walls, new roommates, new job, new subway system, new coworkers, new grocery store, new church, new, new, new, new. It's no wonder that I've been stumped on what to write for this post because it seems like everything is new. I didn't know how to start the update, so maybe that's why I've put off writing it for so long. [Excerpt]
Today I moved into my new Chelsea apartment, but I hope it never feels too much like home. For one, Nashville can never be replaced. And, too, there's something about being in a new place, your senses are keen to every movement, every sound, every taste and smell. [Excerpt]
It's in that moment that I realized there are two kinds of flying people. The first kind get annoyed by everything when traveling. Each delay, each slow walker, each person who jumps ahead in line. Then, there is the second kind which has learned to love (or at least embrace) the unexpected. [Excerpt]
I am perfectly comfortable here. Like curled up with a good book on a warm, plush couch kind of comfortable. Literally, fireplace and all. This is my ultimate comfort zone. I know what to expect each day, I control my life. At least I feel in control. I like to be in control of my life. But I cannot continue to think about all that is right here. [Excerpt]
