Lesson Learned

One year ago today I learned a lesson about humans, one that I already knew but apparently needed to be reminded of once again.

Humans are horrible to each other and capable of anything.

Even the ones who are not maliciously, evil, psychopathic murderers do things that are less than friendly to their fellow man. We are sometimes mean to strangers or friends, we hurt people we love and sometimes take for granted the people who love us. Time has shown that people are capable of doing many things, sometimes the things that are least expected of them.

But what I also learned, is that we are capable of handling anything and everything, as well. At times when I thought I could no longer endure what I had to handle, I pulled through. Even when you're hanging on to your last shred of hope and are crumbled on the ground you remember that there's only two ways you can go: it can either get worse and you can tumble further into the black abyss that has just opened up beneath you or the clouds disappear revealing a bright sun and then you pick yourself up and and everything begins to get better. You never know which way it will go so you just breathe and roll with it for a while until the smoke clears. Eventually, up is the only way you can go, so exhibiting some patience always works well.

Looking back I'm amazed at the things that have happened and the things I've bounced back from. We learn from everything that happens, even if sometimes it takes a while to brush all the dirt off your knees, but it happens. Eventually.

The dirt's almost completely wiped away, and although there's the occasional foggy day, I can still see through to the other side. The better side.

Stop And Take A Look

About 3-4 times a year, I make a point of walking around the city (mostly in Central Park) and taking pictures of what I see. I go out with a purpose and a question: What do I see? I'm sure to put away all distractions, so ipod and cell phone go in the bag and I arm myself with my camera.

This city is crazy. We rush around trying to get to our destinations and don't even take note of the things or people that whiz by us. You can tell the real New Yorkers by the way they don't even flinch when there's something out of the ordinary. There can be a clown on a ledge of a building, a cowboy dressed in his underwear playing the guitar, and a 6 foot rabbit all on the same corner and we won't even notice. We will notice, though, the group of tourists in front of us trying to get a picture of that nonsense who just slowed us down and will pass them with a grunt and an eye roll.

I hate that I don't see things in the city, I pass them. So, I make a point of SEEING. As I begin, I literally have to remind myself to slow down and look around and ask myself over and over, "okay, so what do you SEE." In the park I have no agenda. I meander. I go where the path takes me and every single time I cross something I didn't know existed. This time I ended up in Shakespeare's garden. I had no idea that was even there! And I've walked near it pretty much every time I've been in the park.

This year, I was hoping that we would get some snow since I don't have a winter collection of photos. I'm sure the desolate parts of the park look amazing snow covered. I'm also sure that we'll get snow in May with this whole global warming/the planet is angry at us thing that's been going on.

So, if you get a chance, slow down and look around. I'm pretty sure you'll see something you've been missing all along.



One of my top 5 places in the city