Tip#88: Gifts From New York City, Part 1 - Big

Unexpected gifts can arrive at your doorstep. And the best thing you can do is realize they can be connected to making your dreams and goals come true. It's the law of attraction in action.

I am writing and posting this entry while on vacation in the Big Apple. While the Toronto International Film Festival was in full swing back home I flew into the glow of New York City. I had received an unexpected ticket as a gift from friends who recently moved to Brooklyn. Looking back it is incredible to think I almost didn't accept this gift because of my financial situation and desire to stay put and follow up income prospects.

But landing here on the first day helped me remember the powerful, energetic vibe I remembered from my last visit 7 years ago. The Manhattan skyline sparkled in the morning sun when I arrived filling me with a juicy sense of excitement. I could feel my batteries recharging instantly. I realize now, as I write this on 4th day here, this was a much needed vacation. It also became a journey for shattering my old paradigms with money.

The Limo

Those old paradigms were tested right away the day before I was to leave. I planned to get to my 6:20am flight by taking the airport express bus for $16. But because it was a very early flight the earliest bus would cut my check in time pretty close. And I wasn't about to ask any friends to wake up at 4am to help me out!

So I looked at other options. Taxi was $50 and an airport limo flat rate was $44. I weighed the pros and cons of the convenience of the airport limo coming straight to my door and decided to book it for a 4:30am pickup. I looked at it as paying a little extra for peace of mind and the comfort of knowing I would get to the airport on time.

So there I was at 4:44am in the early morning darkness riding in the comfortable airport limo. Leaving downtown Toronto the Gardiner Expressway was empty and I was feeling great. Suddenly a large vehicle came roaring passed us and I saw it was the airport express bus I would have taken. It was like a scene out of a movie. I had to smile at the irony and of knowing that bus would get to the airport before us.

Did it make me feel any regrets for spending the extra money? Thankfully no. And I found there were none of the usual inner dialogues I'd have like "I should have done this" or "I should have done that." This was a new feeling and I liked it.

I realized this was the universe telling me my old habits of thinking were dissolving. I was suppose to just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride. And I did.

Big

This reminded me of the movie, Bigthat took place in New York City. Tom Hanks starred as a 12 year old child who magically wakes up a grown adult because of a wish he made to be big. He later has an adventure in Manhattan and gets hired as a toy tester at a major toy company. There's a scene where he is riding in his first limousine and expresses his childlike glee by playing with all the buttons and sticking his head out the sunroof. He just enjoyed the ride.

Treat Yourself

I know my NYC ticket was a gift on a deeper level and am realizing it more every second I am here. I chose to not worry about money and just enjoyed the ride like Tom Hanks in Big. I'm seeing the incredible abundance of the Big Apple with wide-eyed wonder and will discuss these insights in the next blog tip.

So if you receive unexpected gifts accept them and treat yourself to where they could lead. Bring out the kid in you and see the delicious fun in the hidden opportunities that dropped into your lap. They can lead to new awareness and healthier habits of thinking.

"Not only is New York the nation's melting pot, it is also the casserole, the chafing dish and the charcoal grill."
Mayor John V. Lindsay

Emmanuel Lopez
Life Skills & Career Development
www.motivatorman.com
© Emmanuel Lopez 2007