NYC Releases Synergy
Sights, sounds, smells, synergy…. the incredible energy of Manhattan…..to spend a week strolling the streets, exploring the districts, the subway, the waterways, the incredible diversity in the architecture, seeing skyscrapers, museums, memorials……absorbing all that the city offers would take a lifetime. Each day as the people of New York City awake and begin their crazy complicated city lives, there is a powerful release of synergism-the interaction of elements that when combined, produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements.
I loved every second of my time in New York and can not wait to go back. I had forgotten how much of American history and rich culture has its roots in NYC and the surrounding area. Discovering how the new traditions have grown up around the historic buildings and districts was fascinating. I was captivated by the architecture of the buildings and the museums that held mass quantities of incredible art and artifacts from cultures around the world. I loved the sense that the people of Manhattan are working together to make their city a safer and more ecologically friendly place. I stayed with my sister and nephew near Central Park and began each day walking by the beautiful park where locals and tourists go to spend leisure time walking, running and biking. It is incredible to comprehend that 12 million people are hustling and bustling about in Manhattan each day. They work hard, exercise hard, play hard and although the sense is that people that live in NYC are driven and always on-the -go, we met genuinely nice and extremely helpful people wherever we went. I loved hearing the stories about young passionate people using their talents and entrepreneurial skills to pursue their dreams. We met bakery shop owners who had learned how to bake bread in their grandmother’s kitchen, brothers who perfected a chocolate recipe and were producing and selling gourmet chocolate bars and heard about a gal and her mom that started a business together making reusable shopping bags. We heard stories from 9/11 survivors who shared their stories about how the city came together during that time. We walked around the church that became a home away from home for the rescuers to rest their weary bodies and get some warm food after a hard day searching. We toured the incredible 9/11 memorial museum and grounds and we stood before the “survivors tree” and were moved to tears. We saw musicals that made us laugh until our sides hurt and walked through small peaceful side streets that exuded calmness, creativity and artistry. We ate absolutely phenomenal cuisines from all over the world in small shops, from street vendors and in crazy cool pubs, bistros, delis and restaurants. We were “wowed” by the glitz and the bright lights of Times Square and inspired by the enormity and significance of the new One World Trade Center. One of my favorite experiences was walking on the High Line-an elevated walkway built over the High Line railroad tracks that were refurbished and renovated by a group of concerned citizens lead by two people. They had a passion for preserving the history of the railroad and providing a park like path for locals and visitors to hike on. We also had the blessing of spending the last few days of our trip with extended family that we had not seen in over 15 years. It was wonderful to reconnect and catch up on life, to see how each one of them had grown and changed. NYC is a city that is growing and changing not only internally but changing the world…..Although it is a big city each district has a community feel. I was inspired not only by the passion of the people but by their creativity, entrepreneurial spirit and combined effort as they work together to transform their city into a thriving unified community that lives in harmony amidst diversity. Synergy is the word I take away from my New York City experience.
When have you experienced the release of synergy?
