Gratitude

While the calendar shows that it’s spring, seeing a breath cloud when I opened the window said otherwise on a chilly morning in the city; despite that, I put on a mask, zipped up my jacket, and went for a jog with a recent conversation on gratitude fresh in my mind.

Midway through my run, I came across a grocery delivery truck and was taken aback by the number of bags the driver was unloading. I immediately felt a sense of appreciation for the countless number of delivery drivers and distribution center workers around the world, including the amazing people that are keeping the pharmaceutical supply chain moving and delivering medications to pharmacies, which is the space I play in.

These individuals are having a noteworthy impact on our communities during this pandemic, and I am thankful and inspired by their heroic efforts!

On a lighter note, I later paused for a minute to mentally embrace a big dose of excitement in anticipation to partake in my first online party, as some of the residents in the building organized a ‘Live Virtual DJ Dance Party’ this evening. A year ago, I would have thought that they were nuts; however, in this new normal, I am ALL IN, and looking forward to getting my boogie on in the living room!

What are you doing fun this weekend?

#gratitude

We Can Do This!

Instead of taking my usual Saturday morning jog to reflect on the past week, I ended up working out at home, followed by scrolling through my camera roll to fixate on the first photo that captured my imagination.

Once I picked out a picture, my next move was to walk over to the Keurig to brew a hot cup of coffee with a splash of almond milk and no sugar. I then set up shop at the kitchen table, put on my Bose noise-canceling headphones, hit the shuffle button to a smooth jazz playlist, and let my mind wander!

As I began to get lost in thought, I noticed the shadows of nature colliding with the sunlight beaming onto the skybridge that connects the two beautiful red-brick buildings at the Chelsea Market. I also see the parked cars, a bike image denoting a bicycle lane, and shades of dimness up the city street leading to a gorgeous blue sky. Translation? The future is bright!

So in this time of uneasiness for many, I remain steadfast in my level of optimism and stand ready to embrace our new normal in whatever form it takes. Furthermore, I encourage you to stay up-to-date on the impact of the Coronavirus in your community, while partaking in responsible social engagement in this time of physical distancing. We can do this!

Stay safe and enjoy your weekend!

#motivation #nyc

A Time to Reflect

While taking a brisk walk this Saturday morning, I found myself reflecting on a trip to Sedona, Arizona, from back in 2016. Admittedly, I was not entirely on board when my girlfriend initially floated the idea; yet, after a few lively conversations, I warmed up to her suggestion, and we booked the trip. In other words, it was wise to go with the flow to keep the peace! 😊

Before I knew it, we were at LaGuardia Airport, boarding a plane to Phoenix. When we landed, we raced to grab our luggage, rented a car, and drove 2-hours to Sedona! Upon arrival, I vividly recall being energized by the breathtaking views at Red Rock State Park. We proceeded to go on a hike, attended a pottery class, and visited a fabulous art gallery.

This change of scenery, at the time, was what I needed to engage in self-reflection and to recharge the batteries during a challenging stretch. Fast-forward to the present day; I am using this time of social distancing similarly to reflect, be grateful, and to spread optimism to everyone in my orbit. 

Lastly, there was no blueprint that I am aware of to have adequately prepared us for this situation; however, I have complete faith in humankind, and we will get through this pandemic stronger on the other side.

Are you with me?

Enjoy your weekend! #staysafe

Admiration

In keeping up with my exercise routine on a cloudy Saturday, I went for a jog alongside the Hudson River to kickstart my weekend. Roughly a mile into my run, I barreled into Hoboken, and lo and behold, I had a view of Pier 90, which is where the USNS Comfort Hospital Ship is parked. I immediately felt great admiration for the humanitarian efforts at work throughout this country and around the world. Then it hit me…this is one of those moments in time that we will be asked well into the future, "What was it like during the COVID-19 pandemic?" So without hesitation, I did what comes naturally to me; I began to write! I believe that it's imperative to document your thoughts during this period, so when you're asked the question above 15 or 20-years from now, you can go to your archives and easily recount your firsthand experience, which will be invaluable. What's more, I also thought about the countless number of colleagues and LinkedIn connections that have reached out to check on me since I reside in the NY Metro area. Thank you all for your kind-heartedness, and I echo the same sentiments to you and your loved ones. I'll end this week's post with a quote and a word of the day: "If you can't do what you do…do what you can." Bon Jovi Excelsior – Ever upwards! hashtag#nyc hashtag#nj hashtag#life