Writing The 4 Train125th Street. So I wanted to write. And here we are. I'm writing. About what? Not sure really, but I know I wanted to write. I needed to write something. Now I am not a "writer" in any sense of the word, or how someone who is a writer is understood to be one. I'm just a guy. A black guy. Yes. That matters. (Race always applies you know that). I'm just a black guy who needed to get these thoughts out. The thoughts I'm thinking, right now. The things I'm feeling, right now. And I’m hoping as I type, the thoughts will materialize into words that are clearly laid out, ultimately serving a purpose for me, and whoever's eyes happen to find their way to them. So here I am, I’m typing on my iPhone in my notes app, train surfing. The “safer” version. Not the one where you’re riding outside of the train, but when you're standing inside on a moving train, risking it all, doing anything and everything but holding onto the pole. That train surfing. Still, it requires immense skill, body alignment, and developed long twitch stabilizer muscles. I’ve been doing it for years. Body rocking back and forth as you squeeze your thigh and ass muscles, balancing yourself as the train carries onward, violently, and not with urgency of course, because in New York City, you never get anywhere quickly, or on time. The trains here live in this dimension where they’re doing a lot but going nowhere fast. But I digress. Train surfing. That's what I'm doing right now, as I write in this notepad. Anyway, ever have a feeling of expectancy. I don't know if that's the right word, but this feeling that, you need to be doing something or going somewhere because there is something out there for you? Anticipation. Yea that’s better. This intrinsic sensation that you’ve got something dope AF (I’m a millennial, deal) you want to do, say, and be. You can't quite place your finger on what it is. There aren’t many examples in life that quite fit what you're feeling or thinking, but you know it's there, and there is a sense of urgency (not like the train though), a real sense of urgency to be that thing you want to be, to find out what you need to do to get there.
86th Street. “Stand clear of the closing doors please.” 15 seconds of sweet relief. It’s funny to watch, people. As my legs exhale, reveling in the unclenching and relaxing of my muscle fibers, I watch as people rush frantically onto the train (as though if they don’t clear the closing doors, life will be over as they know it). This is their one and only opportunity, they have to act now. Doesn’t matter if there is a woman with a baby in a carriage, or an elderly person with reduced movement ability making their way onto the train, they will climb over, and push past anyone in their way for the sweet victory of claiming that slither of space that barely exists on the train. They force their way through, augmenting the over-looming cloud of anxiety that covers the train car. Claustrophobia intensifies here. It’s a sight to behold. Even though the 4 train runs every few minutes, they have to get on this train. No other train will do. I often wonder, where are these people going? What the rush is? They must be doing or going to the most amazing thing or place, yet at the same time, as I gaze upon their faces, there is a spirit of misery. An undercurrent of tiredness and exasperation for the mundane. And then the feeling hits me like a jolt of lightning, electrifying my entire nervous system. The feeling makes you sick, while simultaneously calling you to action. It's 2019, and I told myself that this year I am doing things differently. Not going to, doing (sick of all the resolution bullshit that gets you nowhere). And I know you probably rolled your eyes (if you even made it this far down). I'm sure I lost ninety percent of you guys (I said guys, ugh my ingrained cis-male patriarchal conditioning). I'm sure many of you...people? quit reading after the first few sentences of my mentioning, I have no idea what I'm writing about. But I'm riding the train, feeling urgent to do what it is, I need to do for me...OH SHIT! (I nearly reached for the pole as the train threw my body forward. Look at that, I'm risking my life to share with you my innermost thoughts and ideas. Maybe I really am a writer). 14th Street. Wow writing this really makes the time fly. Didn't even notice the 59th or 42nd avenue stops. Anyway. It's 2019. And if anything, I am writing this article, is it an article? This diary entry? Blog post? (I don't have a blog though). But I am putting this symphony of words together into a formidable weapon, serving as a reminder to myself that I have to do what I know I need to do for me. And I don't need to tell you what is. When I read these words, I know what it is. When you read these words, I hope that thing you want jumps into the forefront of your mind. Did your heart skip a beat? Whoa, that's how badly you want it. But what's stopping you, or what's keeping you from doing it, from getting there? Go ahead I’m listening....no really I am. I want to hear it. What is it? The train is headed to Brooklyn Bridge City Hall, next stop, we have time still. What's the problem? ……Ahhh I see. Yes, I can see how those things can be annoying. And yes, I'm sure they are valid stumbling blocks and hurdles in your way. But it's funny, I didn’t hear you mention any of the self-sabotaging you've done all these years. Yes, I went there. You're triggered. I know. I was too when I realized I spent a lot of time in my own way, being my own worst enemy. Succumbing to the subconscious and covert manifestations of thought and behavior that stalled me from living a purpose-driven life. Have you come to the realization of yours? Fulton Street. By the way, I'm not belittling your experience, or making light of how obstacles and constructs can truly impede us from making headway, but it is important to acknowledge, our crippling behaviors that keep us stagnated and regressed. Challenge them. Wall Street. Do that much this year. If you do nothing else. Purge then from your system. Free yourself from their poison. They are walls that need to be knocked down so you can walk a clearer path (see what I did there). That's what I'm working on, but I'm doubling up. Being advantageous. There's some shit I'm chasing, and I am taking the actionable steps to achieve it. And I'm proud of myself. In all my blackness and queerness (because the understanding of all of who I am, is integral to me being able to freely exercise my gifts). That is why the intersections are important to talk about and discuss! I realize watching those frantic train riders risk it all to get on the train is a part of why I wrote this. We give so much, and at times, all of ourselves, to the machine. To things that don’t fulfill us or make us whole. And living a broken life, is one not worth living. We all deserve the opportunity to be made whole. That is something to chase fervently after. And it requires us to exercise our social intelligence, being aware of our internal stumbling blocks (again our covert and subconscious self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors) and the external poisons (people, places, things) that keep us broken, and keep us from doing and living how we envision. So go. Go live your best life. Start every day by doing something you’ve had an interest in, and practicing ways to stop and free yourself from, the things, people included, that don’t support your being whole. Borough Hall. This is my stop. I’m getting off and going to the gym. It's leg day, and these gains won’t make themselves.
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AuthorSharing my inner most thoughts with the world. I am humbled for the eyes that grace my words with their presence. Archives
March 2019
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