It is time for us to revisit: What we have learned…

Living in NYC changed us, for better or for worse.  As the sun sets on the first chapter of our Wonderland, we want to share some of the things we have learned.

We have learned to see life through a new lens.   A landscape taken with a wide lens is broad and wide, with a balanced view.

The same landscape taken with a telephoto is focused and selective. Neither is right or wrong, they are just different.

We have learned to welcome new perspectives, and we hope to keep adding new lenses to our bag.

More isn’t necessarily better. Moving into our mini apartment we were not sure how well we would adjust.  Our living space here is 1/5 the size of our previous home.  We have adjusted well and have learned that cozy works just fine.  With much less to clean and care for, we are able reclaim time to do the things we love (which do not include cleaning and lawn care).

Walking is fun. In our previous life we would drive through parking lots looking for the space closest to the door.  We might drive for several minutes selecting a space that was acceptable.  Walking as a mode of transportation was never a consideration.  Walking has become important to us and we will work to find ways to keep it in our daily routine.

Experiences over things. In our allocation of resources (time and money), we have found we prefer to invest in experiences rather than “stuff”.  Adventures continue to live in our minds with no further investment, but “things” require care and maintenance.

Simplicity over complexity. Simple pleasures such as listening to the sounds of the river, walking through the park, or conversations over coffee are more enjoyable than complicated events.

Diversity adds texture to life. When the people, places and ideas in our lives differ significantly, we find our lives to be richer and full of a texture that stimulates our minds. We have come to more thoroughly appreciate differences.

Take nothing for granted. Life is a gift we have learned to appreciate every day, even the ones that are filled with routine.

Someday is here. How often we have said to ourselves, “someday” we will…  Well, someday is here.  There is wisdom in the old adage about not putting things off.  We wish we had listened to Nike earlier in our life. Just do it.

Dreams are reachable. There is an attitude here that is different than other places we have been. The New York attitude is “Go for it.”  Crystallize your dreams, make a plan, take the steps, make the sacrifices and don’t get caught up in limitations others place on those dreams.  We think this attitude is what makes a city like New York possible.  It is an attitude we hope to cling to.

We learned to keep falling in love over and over again. With each other, with life itself, and with all that surrounds us.