New York Musings

Yesterday I had a New York casual day. I worked in a Tribeca cafe, had lunch with my bro at a Vietnamese noodle house in Chinatown, ate the most scrummy chocolate peanut butter bar at a Chelsea bakery, visited free art galleries in Chelsea, walked the High Line where I sat and read and wrote after a stroll, ate at a world renowned Italian restaurant in the theater district, and watched a thought-provoking off Broadway production before catching the train to my brother's apartment in the Upper West Side. It was relaxing and invigorating to think and wonder in this fine city.

It struck me how in New York one is inundated with all sorts of images of what constitutes "the good life". Billboards promise beauty, wealth, and power, not to mention narcissistic pleasure. As I strolled I pondered how my identity could be shaped by these sights and sounds and how empty I could feel since there is no way anyone could measure up to the ideals that assault my senses.

On the other hand, I think about God's ideal of perfection and being like Him and I also know there is no way in my own power I could measure up no matter how hard I would try. It's easy to just give up because there is no way I could achieve either ideal. However, I do not. Instead, I find a new way, one that is at peace with who I am right now, after all, I am created in God's image for His purposes. Simultaneously, I am always looking for ways to improve who I am as I move a little bit closer to being like Christ.

To that end, here are a few of my New Years resolutions: 1. Write 9 lines a day 2. Walk briskly three times a week. 3. Watch one documentary a week. 4. Quiet time at least 3 times a week. 5. Date night with Janet once a month. 6. Read 4 books a month. 7. Sing more often. 8. In bed by 10 pm, up by 6:30 am. 9. Play with my kids every day. 10. Do something I have always wanted to do but haven't yet done this year (see last year's Bucket List.).

I know I won't always make these goals but I will keep trying in an attempt to always become a better person but recognizing my limitations and being willing to be easy on myself as well.