Want to re-energize? Try on a new mindset!
One of the activities I missed the most during the pandemic was the Easter Parade in New York City—one of the city’s best kept secrets. Unlike most NYC parades, there are no bands, floats, or waving politicians. Instead, Fifth Avenue is adorned with colorful outfits and extravagant hats, the spectators are the spectacle.
For a rare New York-Minute, it is an opportunity to wander safely down one of the most famous streets, and a reminder of why I have had a love affair with this city for 35 years! That seems to be the greatest gift of all—an hour of roaming uplifts my spirits and provides a joy that lingers in my brain for the days, weeks, and months to come—a reminder of the wonderfulness of life.
These delightful memories flooded back into my consciousness recently after speaking with several coaching clients. They shared how many stressors were plaguing them. The challenges were wide ranging: managing aging parents, Covid infecting entire families, getting comfortable traveling again for business, fear of the war in Ukraine getting bigger, inflation, the stock market, and the possibility of Roe Vs Wade being overturned.
People are exhausted from the string of bad news that feels never-ending.
How can we re-charge?
It’s especially difficult for those of us with perfectionist tendencies. We crave control in a world that seems out of control.
While I reflected to myself, the Easter parade kept popping into my mind. It is one of the most re-energizing activities that I have participated in, one that has continued to delight me year after year. How can replicate this feeling into my life on a regular basis?
My first step is to examine what was it about the Easter parade that re-energized me?
I began the day by attending my first in-person Easter service in two years. As I left the church, the streets were packed with people in warm coats because of the 40 degree temperature.
At first glance, many people wore rabbit ears, others had hats with Easter eggs and flowers blooming. I strolled past a woman with mounds of white feathers atop her head piled up almost three feet high! One woman appeared to have an entire garden on her head. Another wore mushroom atop her head that seemed to be three feet in diameter.
These hats all seemed homemade and must have taken months of preparation to create such masterpieces. I wonder if they are like new shoes, do you have to break them in? Do you have to practice walking around your apartment building up strength in your neck to hold these hats up?
The funniest costume was Bugs Bunny—New York City version. An older gentleman sported a white top hat with bunny ears, orange and black sunglasses, an orange cigar coming out of his mouth—which he is actually smoking. A carrot with the greens dangling out of his pocket completed his outfit. I hear he attends each year and is quite the character!
My favorite moment was when I saw a tall, stunning man with the most amazing hat. It was black and resembled a tall turban with long, black, ribbon twists. When I stopped to compliment him, he and his friend said they admired my simple red wool hat and asked if they could take a picture with me!
I was completely surprised as my hat seemed quite pedestrian in comparison and couldn’t understand why they wanted my picture. They told me that my look (a long tall black coat and red hat) was classic and stunning.
I was being practical and dressed for warmth. I considered buying a fun and colorful hat, but the cold weather stopped me, thinking to myself, “Aren’t I becoming boring in my old age!?”
This Easter parade reminded me that I am much more than how I see myself. If I demonstrate a spirit of generosity and curiosity towards others, they are more likely to give that back. These two guys reminded me that while I wasn’t going to win the prize for the most unusual or creative hat, just showing up as myself is enough.