When in New York....

(Edit: I wrote this post almost a year ago- right after returning from our NY trip. It’s crazy to think how different things are now. It makes me even more grateful I got the experience I did. Anyway. Read on for my experience, thoughts, and, naturally, what I learned...)

New York.

I finally went.

I wasn't sure what a girl from Wray, America, would think of a city like that.

Let me tell you: I. LOVED. IT.

And it's not for the reasons you'd think. I mean, yes, it was beautiful. I saw the sights. I took a picture in all the touristy spots: Times Square; The Rockefeller Tree; Radio City Music Hall. It was all gorgeous.

But if I had to describe it in one word? Refreshing.

It was refreshing to be anonymous in a city full of strangers.

It was refreshing to watch people just live their day to day lives, and not give a damn what

those around them were doing.

It was refreshing to see the multitude of different types of people.

It was refreshing to see how this amazing city can thrive, with so many different people.

It was refreshing to step outside my normal, and completely appreciate a world that is entirely different from my own.

So in true Brittany form, I overthought this for awhile: 'Hmmm....I just took a giant cultural breath of fresh air. Like, a very vivid, strong, peaceful, and positive breath of fresh air. And I feel it in my soul. So what does this mean for me?'

Although many different things came to mind, here was the underlying epiphany:

Everything about this trip (for me) was about keeping an open mind.

I went into this trip with an open mind. I didn't prejudge it, based on what other people told me about it. I didn't already feel some type of way about The Big Apple. I went in, wanting to take it all in. I wanted to experience it and make my own judgement about it.

By keeping an open mind, I discovered that I found a place I truly loved. Would I move there? Nope. Not a chance. But people keep asking me if I'd go back, and I'm like, "Hell yeah!' I loved the feeling of being able to just do my thing, without a worry. I loved being surrounded by people who didn't have any care in their mind about what anybody else was doing. I loved seeing everyone putting their energy into whatever made them happy. I loved the cool, chill vibe of the waiter and the restaurant where we had mimosas. I loved the craziness of the bagel shop. I loved people-watching as we walked the streets of Brooklyn. I loved seeing the street hot dog vendor give out high fives. I even loved the dirty, dingy subway stations- simply because that's the history and culture of this fabulous city!

So call me crazy.

Tell me I'm nuts for loving the subway train station.

But let me tell you: By going into this with an open (and positive!) mind, I had a great experience. And it makes me want to try even harder to pour into this thing I do. It makes me want to be like those badasses in New York, who are just chasing goals, and doin' their thang. It makes me want to experience more cultures in this world. It makes me want to be real and authentic. It makes me want to understand how people tick.

More than anything, it makes me want to continue exposing my daughter to places and things like this. I want to show her that this world is a huge place, with wonderful things to experience. I want to raise her in this safe, small, wonderful town, but make sure she knows how incredible the rest of the planet is. And if she approaches all of it with an open mind, she can go and do whatever she wants. There's an entire world outside of Wray, and I'm going to make sure she knows that it's at her fingertips.

In fact, it's at all of our fingertips. We can think small and negative ("Ugh, it's so dirty. And all those people. So rude! I hate the big city!"). Or, we can be positive and open minded ("So cool to see how other people live! There's so much history here! I'll bet that guy on the train has an amazing story!"). It's just up to us how we experience and interpret it.

**Spoiler Alert: This applies to EACH AND EVERY experience we have in this life. Not just New York City.**

But if you're ever debating visiting somewhere new, I'd highly recommend the aforementioned metropolis. Hell, I'd recommend visiting anywhere new, just to expand your mind and horizons.

Just make sure to keep that open and positive mind- because it's Luxuriously Dope.