Book Club

I woke up this morning full of anticipation to meet-up with my book club crew in person for the first time since physical distancing began. We met at a cozy little café by Exchange Place in Jersey City, which was ideal since all of us have an affinity for the high-rise buildings nearby.

Once everyone arrived and chitchatted for a few minutes, we got in line for coffee and muffins. Out of the blue, my stomach started to growl when I got a whiff of a fresh loaf of banana bread coming out of the oven. 😊

After getting our orders, we walked over to an outdoor seating area by the pier, settled in, and commenced sharing our thoughts about the book and everything under the sun. Before we knew it, 2-hours had flown by, and it was time to get on with our respective day.

There’s nothing like spending time with a diverse group of friends to stimulate your mind. What’s more, the act of exposing yourself to different viewpoints is refreshing and a great way to broaden your knowledge. I am all the better for these types of experiences.

In the spirit of the abovementioned and the desire to grow with you, please share your thoughts.

Have a fun weekend with family and friends!

#learning #reading

Spur-of-the-Moment

With the sun shining bright on the first morning of summer, my heart is full of gratitude, while optimistic thoughts go through my mind. Now in sync with nature in the midst of staring into the wild blue yonder, feelings of euphoria run rampant as I contemplate the world coming out of the shadow of darkness and sense that constructive change is on the horizon.

After crystallizing that thought, I muster up the energy to walk up the steps in the picture, then stop for a minute to chat with a lovely couple, followed by gliding across the lawn; and eventually landing on the other side of the buildings to grab a smoothie. With a healthy shake in hand, I took a few sips and proceeded to mosey around Hoboken, admiring the impressive architecture that’s all around. 

This spur-of-the-moment occurrence motivated me to reflect on some candid talks that I had this week with several people in my network. These types of micro-conversations can be difficult; however, they play an integral role in helping to foster positive and long-lasting change on a macro-level for society.

Did you do something spontaneous today that sparked a moment of inspiration? If so, please share your experience so that we can learn, grow, and inspire each other. 

Enjoy your weekend!

#gratitude #inspire

Recharge Your Batteries

After being cooped up in the house for most of the past week, I went out this Saturday morning to get some fresh air and to catch up on some reading in my neighborhood. It was muggy outside, so as a few beads of sweat trickled down my face, I moved over to an area with plenty of shade, pulled out one of my favorite motivational books, and read a few chapters.

When I finished reading, I felt a burst of reflective energy that inspired me to write. As I took a minute to scan my surroundings with a heightened sense of awareness, I found the vividness of the imagery alongside the boardwalk spellbinding, and a peaceful feeling spread throughout my body. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a gaggle of geese making their way to the Hudson River and stood in awe as they flew gracefully into the sky.

At that moment, I took a deep breath, held it for ten seconds, exhaled with my eyes closed, thereby allowing the experience to etch into my memory. I then opened my eyes, picked up my book, slipped it into my backpack, did some stretching, and began my run.

Noteworthy, I've learned that a great way to refresh is to sit still, admire the elements of the outdoors, and embrace your thoughts, wherever they take you. 

What are you doing to recharge your batteries this weekend?

#motivation

Lighthouse

On the heels of one of the most extraordinary weeks in my lifetime, I grabbed a blanket this morning and walked over to a lighthouse near the Hudson River to decompress. Upon arrival, I picked out a comfortable spot on the grass and sat down. 

Once relaxed, I began to feel the dewdrops clinging to the blades of grass, which prompted me to turn my body to the left to look across the river. In doing so, I couldn’t help but notice the ripples of the tiny waves gently crashing into the pier, followed by hearing the footsteps of a few runners passing by. As the scent of the flowers entered my nostrils, and the trees swayed side-to-side, I knowingly glanced up at the skyscrapers, and with that, I got lost in thought!

The first thing that came to mind was the melting pot that is NYC, the country’s most diverse and populous city. Considering all that is currently transpiring in the USA, I found sitting beside a lighthouse fitting; subsequently, I started envisioning our future shining bright. Moreover, I have an unyielding faith that we will engage in respectful dialogue, listen with open minds, and take meaningful action to make the world a better place!

I relish interacting and learning from each of you on this platform, so please share your thoughts. Enjoy your weekend!

#nyc