Hello Friend!
It’s been almost 2 weeks since you heard from me..Put the tissue down because OSHODI is back at it again with another post! Let talk about spring break, well mine… ugh she is so self absorbed, ughh, haha!
Well spring break was just last week and I think I can say I had the BEST spring break ever!!! Like I had the pleasure of staying in New York. Not only was I just in New York, I had the pleasure of staying in the middle of Times Square the whole week. I called it the life of luxury. I was able to try the most amazing foods of all kinds. From Chinese, to Japanese, southern food, Egyptian food. You name it, I tried it! (but not really because my money was looking somehow). I had the pleasure of seeing The Color Purple on Broadway. I was so close to the stage, Jennifer Hudson’s spit was almost touching my forehead.. Yeah, that’s close. I saw Lupita in the streets… What up girl!! We go way back (jokes) and saw a heartbroken friend sulk the whole time because Lupita didn’t want to give her an autograph. I stood on the 86th floor of the empire state building and saw the beauty of New York City. As you can see, I enjoyed my trip.
Lessons I took Away from This Trip
Get That Money Honey!
1 tip I will give you is, if you are going to New York and staying for a while… make sure your money looking all kinds of right. Because you will blow some stacks. I mean some serious money. From the hotel, food and transportation, it’s going to cost you. Especially if you are clueless, so, do your research!
Lodging and Transportation
Plan ahead; don’t be too cheap because you will end up paying more money to fix your mistakes. Get your hotel, way in advance! So you can gage what type of transportation you will use. Educate yourself on the various resources available for better prices. Such as Lyft! My friend and I were able to ride around Manhattan for less than $2 at times, each. Uber, ehh, they are more expensive, but anything is better than the taxi! I’m telling you.
Also, don’t be clueless. If you are not from New York, people know it. Especially those taxi drivers!! I took the taxi once… NEVER AGAIN. When I tell you these people lied to me without me really even noticing, it was just a shame. Such a shame I won’t even put it here lol. So, be smart, quick on your feet and have some kind of idea of what you are doing.
Group Traveling
If you are traveling with a big group, have some type of plan of what you are doing. Make sure everyone is on the same page prior the trip and during. Have a plan so you don’t waste time. Nothing in this world is free so if you are not spending money, you are spending time. Just a food for thought.
If you want to do one thing and the rest want to do another. It’s ok to go on your own and do what YOU want. You don’t want to look back at your trip and be disappointed because you all could not agree on one thing and you just followed the crowd all in the sake of we came together. It may seem rude but, YOU PAID for this; therefore, get the most out of it. If there are 5 in the group, and 2 of you want to go exploring and 3 want to party, well do what’s best for you. Or, you all agree on a plan or compromise.
What Does This Have To Do With Anything?
I know you might be saying I didn’t come on this blog to hear about your trip Dammy. As nice as it sounds, I’m not interested. I feel you and I’m with you but stay with me, I’m getting there….
I was in the car with the birthday girl, and I asked God, what should I write about this week? Well it was put on my heart to speak about experience. This may be a christian based blog but christians still have to live and function in the world. Can we agree? Therefore, it’s good to know certain things about various environments. It’s good to learn from others and their experiences so you don’t make the same mistakes but you gain more knowledge. Hence, I put what I learned so the next person that travels, especially to New York, knows what to look for.
Importance of Traveling to Gain Experience
We need to get out and experience life! Experiences are important because they broaden our minds. Experience educates us in ways that no book could ever do. You can’t read experience, you can’t hear experience; you must live it.
My mom always says that a person who has traveled is better educated than those who are college educated. After all the money you paid for that education, it sounds dumb; but why would she say this?
When you travel:
- You meet people from all over and understand different mind sets that’s you can’t gain from books.
- It broadens your mind to let you understand various circumstances of others
- You learn to communicate to various types of people
- Able to adapt and handle yourself in various environments
- Become a more well rounded individual
- You understand your world is not the only world out there
- Overall more knowledge
Honestly, these are all great attributes that I think are great i the workplace. The list can go on. I’m not saying traveling is the only way to get experience, but it sure is a major one that I think is important. You can gain experience from trying different foods, wearing different clothes, reading books, moving etc. but I’ll always suggest traveling.
This ties back to us as christians because once you are more educated on various types of people, environments etc. You become more relatable to those outside your environment, therefore, make a larger impact. If you are more relatable, it’s a lot easier to talk about the gospel. Matthew 28:19-20 says:
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Look at Jesus, he was a pretty relatable guy. He didn’t just stay in Nazareth or certain towns; he was able to talk to people of different places and cultures because he moved around different places. He met people where they were at, through experiences but also because of God, but that’s the obvious. Also, God is able to speak to people in ways they understand. He can relate to each individual differently so they get the point of his message. My guess is, he knew them before birth, but also, after roaming the earth, he gets well acquainted with all the people on it. But, that’s just my guess.
Let’s Leave Comfortable At The Door
I feel sometimes as followers of Christ, we are comfortable living a mundane life. We are ok, with just existing but not really living. Being basic, honezzly. How can we better each other if we all experience and live the same life? I write about my experience not to brag, but to show you a different part to life you may not be familiar with .
Let me get you to understand something. I was mad nervous about going to New York alone. I have traveled many times by myself but I always stay with someone or I’m with my mom. I’ve never got the hotel, stayed in a city by myself and completely free to roam without someone I knew ( I was alone for 2 days). Basically, I’ve never adulted while traveling. So, it was nerve racking.. Especially in New York.
But I feel that my trip was not only to celebrate a friend’s birthday, but to see a new part of life. To aspire to be able to live a certain way, attain certain things. I’m not saying to chase after the world, but being present in a new place can sharpen your vision of your life. Create goals that could be met with the lord’s help. Your goal will mean so much more to you if you’ve been in the position to at least taste what the atmosphere would be like to have achieved the goal. The change in atmosphere will inspire you. Will awaken something in you to keep pushing. Give you a clear presentation of what life could be for you. Let you know that what you know now, is not all there is. There is more to learn, you will never know everything.
But you must step out of your comfort zone. Change won’t occur always where you’re at. God cannot be found only in the comfort of your home or town. If he is calling you to travel, to go places, to be better, he needs you to just do it. If its God’s vision for you to leave your comfort zone, trust me, he will provide the resources to do so. Always remember this 2 Timothy 1:7 says
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Never forget, God is always by your side. If he wants you to see a new part of life. It’s to fine tune you. Maybe he is even trying to get you to dream higher than you ever thought you could. To explore parts of the world you never thought you would. You never know what knowledge you’ve gained from your exploration; can be used for the betterment of the kingdom of God. For me, it’s to aspire for myself more and to encourage others to aspire more for themselves. Nothing wrong with having a vision for yourself and aspiring more out of life. To me this life is rich with places I have not been, people I have not seen, food I haven’t eaten and opportunities I have not pursued… Yet. So I urge you, have faith and lets aim to live a life full of great visions, knowledge and purpose. God may be calling you out your comfort zone. Ohh, the places you’ll go. Till next time. Bye Friend!
I will always proud of you.Keep soaring!!!