Butterflies omen...and how I decided to move from NY to California

Butterflies...

This year, I've been seeing them EVERYWHERE. On my birthday, back in April, I was at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens (one of my favorite places in NYC) and a few beautiful small white butterflies flew past me and said hello...

And the next day a butterfly flew very close to me again as I was walking down my block. Then, a week later I was walking down my block and again right before my path on the way home was a dark colored butterfly that had landed on the concrete sidewalk and was kind of just hanging out there, nowhere near any trees or flowers. It was particularly still, just lying on the sidewalk. Maybe it had a broken wing or was injured in some way. But at that point, I was beginning to think these butterflies were acting in synchronicity and had a message for me. This may sound a bit "woo-woo"to you, but...

I realized this "message" thing had to be true when just a week later again another butterfly passed me while walking down the street. But this particular one flew VERY close to my face and just kind of hovered there right in front of me almost forcing me to shoo it away just so I could see the path in front of me where I was walking.

Then a month later, a dear friend gifted me with a beautiful butterfly bookmark she bought during a recent trip to China.

Its clear that these butterflies had a message for me. But what was it? And what was it about me that was attracting all of these butterflies into my life?

I had no idea so I decided to do some fast hard research (online). Gotta love the Goog (google)! A lot of cultures seem to revere butterflies in various ways as you can read here but I may have found one common theme in a few cultures and religions ..."Change!" 

Yes, it appears as though these little guys were trying to give me a message about big change in my life. See, there's a lot going on in my life right now (lots of big fabulous change) and there's a lot of changes that I have been wanting to make in my business and in my life.

Perhaps the butterflies were there to remind me that change is inevitable and should be embraced and not feared. Perhaps they were there to remind me of my personal life cycle, about taking flight and that all we have is NOW. Perhaps they were there to give me a glimpse of nature, which I so love to be in, of and around.

Maybe...

There's also the feeling of butterflies (nerves) as you may have remember from songs like this, one of my personal faves from MJ. I think this song is really about the delicious feeling of nervous excitement as you plan your future and what you choose for your life.

I only really started choosing my reality just for me just a few months ago. The butterflies have inspired me to live my dreams and change my life for the better which is why after so long of wishing, dreaming and hoping for my dreams to come true one day, some day, I've taken action and decided to move across the country to California! Truth, its always been a dream of mine to do it, I've put it off for a god-zillion years to try not to stir the pot too much for other people in my life but this is my time to shine and so I am doing it! And I couldn't be more excited! I'm going to miss New York, but I'm excited to find my Gold fortune out west :).

But I'm curious to know...

What do you think butterflies symbolize? What do they symbolize for you? Do you have any specific memory of butterflies and any way they've "visited" you that's been memorable?

Top 10 Things I LOVE about living in Brooklyn

I've lived in Brooklyn most of my life...since I was 2, minus a brief stint Upstate. Truthfully, I kinda miss living in Upstate NY, breathing in fresh, clean, mountain air and seeing wildlife, but truthfully, nothing quite compares to living and breathing Brooklyn!

Being that I've lived in Brooklyn for most of my life, and will be moving soon (I know, I know, but, its just the right time to move on to the next phase of my life) I thought I'd throw together a little homage to Brooklyn... and, who knows? I might be back...someday.

So, here it is: My Top 10 Things I LOVE about Living in Brooklyn

1. Bodegas and corner stores on, like, EVERY corner! Whether I need asprin at 10pm, after the drugstore is closed, or a bottle of water before I hit the train station, or my favorite pint of Haagen Dazs after a hard days work, I know they'll be open and I know they'll have whatever I need. (Lucky for me, there's a 24 hour one literally a few feet from the back entrance of my building and I don't even have to cross the street!)

2. Living in Brooklyn Heights! Lets face it. Even in 2012, some people (mostly Manhattanites who aren't even from New York) still gasp at the thought of living in Brooklyn. "Is it safe?" is what I usually hear. I've lived in Brooklyn Heights forever and honestly, I think its the safest, and most accessible neighborhood in all of Brooklyn. Is it expensive? Yes, in fact, just as expensive as living in the city, but its a family neighborhood, which means bars and restaurants close pretty early, actually every place closes early, (like 10pm-ish) and its safe. And if you're like me, safety is important! Honestly, living in BK Heights could be #1 on my list, and it may even get its own blog post at some point. Its just that awesome!

3. The Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. The Cherry Esplanade at the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Beautiful Plants and Trees. Stunning Views. Gorgeous Colors. Enough Said!

4. The MTA runs through here, like all through here! There's a gazillion train stations and bus stops. Unlike living in Queens, trains and buses take me throughout most of Brooklyn and I don't need a car to get everywhere. But, really, why would I want one? Lets face it, gas  prices are sky high, parking and speeding tickets are sky high and then there's the parking situation. Living in Brooklyn Heights has its down sides, and finding a parking spot quickly and regularly is one of them. So thank goodness for the MTA!

5. The View of the Brooklyn Bridge and even the view while you are standing ON the Brooklyn Bridge. Iconic. Period!

6. Grounded celebrities. I've seen like a million celebrities here, whether they are walking their kids to school in the morning, riding the subway, or going for a jog. In fact, I've seen Paul Giamatti and Dominic Fumusa pass me on the street more than once...but, whatever, its totally normal. They do normal NY'er stuff too, just like you and me, and that's good to know.

7. Meeting your highly accessible Borough President, Marty Markowitz at a Brooklyn Street Fair, who gives you your very own gold Brooklyn Pin! Kinda reminds me of my own Brooklyn Necklace! Loves it!

8. Brokelyn –I recently discovered it and its Pretty. Frickin. Awesome! Go check it out (right after you finish reading my list of course :)

 
9. Pizza shops within blocks of each other. If you've lived in New York for a while, or consider yourself a native New Yorker, you know there's nothing quite like Brooklyn Pizza. You just can't really describe it. I have my own favorite personal pizzeria (My Little Pizzeria on Court Street) but honestly, if its from anywhere in Brooklyn, its just better. If its made by real Italians, even better, but totally not necessary.

10. Brooklyn Bridge Park Dance Party in the Summer at the new Pier 1 -just a few short blocks from where I live in Brooklyn Heights. Even people from the city come to Brooklyn for this, or maybe I should say, especially for this! The Pier is beautiful, and the dancing is so much fun. Kids, adults, everyone comes to this, no matter what type of musician or band is playing. I can't wait til it gets a bit warmer out to head over to this and let loose!

So, thats it! Thanks for checking out my list and stay tuned for my Top Reasons to Live in Brooklyn Heights. I'm curious, where do you live? What do you love most about living there?