Whenever I return home from traveling, I return to the City with a renewed perspective. Getting off the plane at JFK is like taking a cold shower – a shock to the system. The sounds, smells, and energy are jarring – in a good way, mostly. It’s a stark reminder that no place is like home, especially if that home is in New York!
But I always return from my time away with something I have learned that I want to integrate into my daily life. Something new that I either felt, saw, or experienced. And it’s no easy task to hold on to that new intention without getting sucked back into a day-to-day rut.
What was most jarring to me about this particular trip was the stark difference in the intensity of the people. Coming back from Greece, home to one of the five Blue Zones, regions of the world where people live longer than average, to New York, one of the busiest cities in the world, was like going from one extreme to the next.
I certainly can’t adopt the Blue Zone life in New York; however, there are elements I can try to bring into my every day: moving every day (not hard in NYC real estate), having a sense of purpose, prioritizing stress release, eating less and eating a more plant-based diet, drinking in moderation, connecting with community, putting family first and choosing social settings that support healthy interactions (nearly impossible in NYC real estate.)
Real estate is not the high-stakes drama many people make it out to be. We aren’t saving lives – at the end of the day, we’re just helping other people find a home to live the life they dream. If we thought about it that way, we would do a better job and slow down to be more intentional about how we treat others and ourselves. In Greece, I met a lot of very happy octogenarians tending their herds and enjoying their wine with their wife at their side. While in New York, I have met a lot of miserable millionaires ranting and raving, rarely appreciating all they have and only focusing on what they don’t. It is so easy for us to fall into that trap. So I have decided to take time at the beginning of each day to appreciate my beautiful home and my incredible children, stay in touch with friends and family, eat better and stay healthier, and dream of the day when I, too, can be a happy octogenarian with my glass of wine and my wife at my side.
Side Bar: Go Bokke
This weekend starts the 2023 Rugby World Cup, taking place in France. This event is one of the most exciting sports competitions in the world. If you want to witness a sport and tournament that epitomizes grit, determination, integrity, sportsmanship, loyalty, and teamwork, sit down and watch some games. And I’ll be rooting for my heroes, the defending world champion South African Springboks!
Let’s do this.
- Shaun