“The skyline of New York is a monument of splendor that no pyramids or palaces will ever equal or approach.” – Ayn Rand
Places call us, and we begin an exciting journey that is an exploration of both the place and our Self.
By the time I was four years old, I was already dreaming of living in Manhattan. Whenever my father would drive our family over the George Washington Bridge from New Jersey to the sparkly city, I would become mesmerized. The view of the shimmering skyline grazing the Hudson River ignited something within me.
People with creativity and ambition have always been drawn to Manhattan. The energy of the island is so powerful and focused that you can feel its vibration the minute you step on its ground. For me, it’s a current filled with imagination, desire, possibility, and excitement.
Manhattan is an energy vortex that supports those who want to create and excel in a variety of endeavors.
The strength of this force permeates through all of New York City’s boroughs and the entire metropolitan area.
Many of you are urbanites, so you’re also intimately aware that the energy of an urban vortex can take as much as it gives. This means that its intensity can also drain you of your vitality.
Depleting Aspects of Urban Life
Urbanites suffer from overstimulation. Although sensory overload isn’t unique to city living, it’s magnified by it. You’re subject to cramped quarters, noise, unpredictable transportation delays, reliance on technology, a large amount of information to process, and a need to interact with many people daily.
The anonymity of cities has its appeal, but living alone or away from a family support system can make you more susceptible to isolation and loneliness. Make friends where you work? Competitiveness and mistrust are abundant in today’s workplace. It may be challenging for those relationships to become as intimate as you may like.
The abundance of choice from lifestyles, to careers, significant others, neighborhoods, food, and entertainment can also cause significant stress. Having so many options in life is great, but it requires you to make a lot of decisions.
Humans aren’t wired for this much action…or reaction.
From a scientific perspective, the surface of the earth has a negative charge. As a result of urban life, you can build up an overabundant amount of positive charge. This condition can leave you feeling as if you stuck your finger in an electric socket – wired and drained at the same time.
Nature As Medicine
Ground yourself. Connect to the natural world by doing things like going barefoot in the grass, touching trees, standing in the ocean, and walking in the woods. These experiences soften your electrical charge and help integrate your body into the present moment. Nature is designed to give you this support.
Most of us in cities and suburbs don’t touch nature anymore.
As an urbanite, you spend over 90 percent of your life indoors. Direct contact with the natural world is what neutralizes any imbalances you may have developed and returns you to your innate state of harmony. But you need to make a conscious effort and time to make that connection.
Whenever I feel an unfocused buzzing energy or drained, my first impulse is to get to the closest beach and lie in the sand or jump in the ocean. Because that’s not always an easy option, I walk over to Central Park and sit with my bare feet on the grass and my back against my favorite tree.
Connecting to any part of the physical world will do the trick and help ground you. Feel free to choose wherever it is that you gravitate to.
Integrative Solutions for Modern Life
Yes, sparkly cities are alluring. But their glitter can also distract you from the primary reason that you are called to them. It’s not about the action,
diversity, careers, money, fashion, arts or other cultural activities.
You are drawn to urban areas in order to bring forward your best self and share your gifts with the world. This isn’t an easy job.
The process of cultivating your most optimal self while maintaining your sense of well-being is often enhanced by the support of an urban shaman. Everyone benefits from having guidance, support, tools, and accountability.
My decades of experience with clients, global travels, and studies with indigenous shamans and of science-based personal growth modalities taught me that modern life has pulled us way too far from our essence.
We are always more content when our practical needs don’t stray too far from what we require in order to thrive spiritually. Because this disparity is common, I developed Integrative Solutions for Modern Life, a holistic life and wellness program designed to reconnect you with your authentic self.
Your natural state is far easier to achieve than you think. As your urban shaman, I help you implement simple techniques that calm your nervous system, focus your attention, and leave you feeling renewed and fully engaged in your creations.
Keep your mind, body, and spirit in the earth while you manifest like a skyscraper! 😉
