i heart nyc

In JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series one message is clear: love is the greatest power of all.  When Harry is up against the greatest challenges the wizarding world can present, love–and the courage to do it–is apparently all that’s needed to defeat decades of warlocking excellence.  Unfortunately this work ethic did no sustain me throughout my years in high school and music school and most likely did not create such uncanny success for you either.  However, let’s give love a thought for a minute.

If you’re like me, you secretly moved by “The Secret”.  The idea that we shape our world is not really a secret of course, but the idea that it is almost like Harry Potter magic is an interesting idea.   If you’ve ever really focused on something, worked for it and opened up to the possibilities, and then have it actually come along and enter your life, you’ll agree it kind of is magical.

So what happens if we apply the Rowling model that love is the greatest magic of all?  Well, in terms of spiritual-talk, love is the ultimate form of gratitude.  To look at your wife, boyfriend, best friend, boss, dog, dinner or wrist watch and say “I love you” is the pinnacle of thanks.  It is thanks that has boiled over into something else, something else that is sweet and flows into the world like candy.  Love can drive the law of attraction in ways selfishness and opportunism cannot.

As I thought about this I thought about NYC.  I heart NY.  We’ve all seen the shirts.  But how many of us actually LOVE New York City?  How many of us look around and say “thank you NYC, you’ve been very good to me and every day here is a blessing”?  I certainly haven’t.  Until this week.  I wrote that legendary line on my arm to remind myself to say it and truly feel it, even though it felt like a lie at first.  And the changes still are amazing.  I’m no longer walking around with this resentment or anger towards NYC (and the people in it).  Also, opportunities are coming my way and I feel like the city wants me to be happy.  Of course opportunities have always been coming my way since I moved here, but my Debbi Downer attitude prevented me from being greatful for those chances and from simply loving my life.

So. I heart NYC.  All you need is love.