Empire State Of Mind

Insight 101 | New York Lessons (so far)

It’s the concrete jungle where dreams are made. It’s the streets that will make you feel brand new, with big lights that will inspire you. Yup, we’re spending the summer in New York City.

It’s only been a week, but here are the two things I haven’t been able to stop thinking about since acquiring my Empire State of Mind.

You Can Make The First Move. To some, this may seem strange, and truthfully, it can sometimes push you out of your comfort zone.  Being willing to take the initial step is a decision that might be uncomfortable in the moment but could lead to a lifelong friendship, a bucket-list win, or simply bringing an extra kindness to someone's day by going out of your way to acknowledge them.

This relates to all areas of life. Making the first move is a strategic choice you must take because no one else will do it for you. 

Imagine standing in front of a wooden door, treating it like an automatic one. It will never open on its own! Sure, sometimes a strong wind may give it a nudge, or someone on the other side might give it a tug, but because we’re only given one life, it’s always best to simply knock and leave the rest up to God. He always makes sure to open the right doors while closing the wrong ones. But for this to happen, we must first be willing to knock.

Break Bread To Break The Ice: When you're new to somewhere, a job, a city, a school, or even a stage of life, everything feels different because a lot of it really is different. But it helps when you share that journey with someone else.

Keith Ferrazzi, an American author and entrepreneur, in his monumental work Never Eat Alone, explains that major life opportunities and the magic behind them don't normally come from hard work, intelligence, or talent alone, but rather from people. This does not conflate relationships with transactions but centers on building connections grounded in generosity, community, curiosity, and being more human. I’ve experienced this firsthand this week through a simple sentence that has become an absolute life hack: “wanna grab lunch?” And you know what! Most people always say yes! Why? We all want to feel wanted; we share that in common.

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Sometimes we can get lost in the speed of it all. But this I know. Making the first move and sharing a good meal are two essential pillars that lead to a more joyful experience as one enters a new stage of life. The best part? You can do both in a single move.

This week, find someone to invite them to coffee, lunch, or even better, church. Don’t let “not knowing” stop you from discovering how beautiful “what could have been” really is. Make the first move, then go break some bread together as you watch the ice between us all melt.

- Making The Most Of Being Curious

Daniel J. Cuesta

Sources:

You Can Make The First Move. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

It's Encouraged To Step Outside Your Comfort Zone. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. -  Joshua 1:9

Break Bread To Break The Ice: Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts - Acts 2:46