I was 14 and knew I was going to take the world by storm! I had been a modern dancer since the age of 9 and had plans to become a famous dancer in New York City. So, one summer I “told” my parents that I wanted to go to NYC for a few weeks and take dance lessons. Age 14! But, my mom let me go (I think my dad must’ve been in the background shaking his head a resounding No!).
One morning, my mom dropped me off at the Amtrak station and to NYC I went. Mom, having lived and danced in NYC years earlier, warned me not to get into anything other that a yellow checkered taxi cab. I assured her I would remember her advice and off I went.
I “landed” at Penn Station at 34th & 8th in a very bright, sunny afternoon. I was not at all prepared for all that I was to experience. I got turned around and landed at a mountainous set of stairs that me and my 500lb suitcase were not prepared for. Well, seeing my struggle, a very kind woman offered to help me get my back up the stairs. I politely declined (I was determined to do this on my own) and she shrugged and made her way upwards.
I finally reached the top and was astonished and, quite frankly, assaulted by the cacophony of noise everywhere! People rushing by, cars honking their horns, and street vendors selling their goods. I wasn’t prepared for this at all. I proceeded to look for and hail the yellow checkered taxi cab. I finally found one after declining several “imposter” taxis and went to my hotel.
I reached my hotel room, guided by a bellhop, down a long, dark, and seemingly secluded hallway. I was terrified! The room was exceedingly small and unfriendly. I called my mom to say that I made it and sat down to think about what I’d just done. It was all so overwhelming! Then, it hit me. I am not at all prepared for this! Not yet! Now what do I do?
My mom must’ve been prepared. When I called her back in a panic, she calmly suggested that she have an old friend pick me up and take me to his family’s home in Brooklyn. And, in one swift move, he arrived, and carried me to “safety”. I went home the next day and was ever so glad to be in the warmth and safety of my home and my mom’s arms! Needless to say, I realized then that at age 14, I was not quite ready to strike out on my own.
Ironically, seven years later and with a lot more confidence, I travelled to the same place where I hailed my first taxi cab on 34th and 8th streets in NYC to start my new adventure!
Ahhhh...new adventures at different ages and stages of our lives. The phone in NYC was probably a pay phone, not just pick up your cell and say, "COME GET ME!" I love, that seven years later, you returned and were "ready." Beautiful story.
What a great day for you! I love being on college campuses. I saw in your response to someone else that you absorb the energy of those around you. So do I. And like you, over time I have learned how to repel the negative energy. Loved reading your essay, Mary!
Susan, you fellow empath you! Thank you so much for reading and also for commenting. How did we actually learn how to repel the negative energy? I truly have no idea, but I know that I did.
Mary, excellent question! I don't have a concrete answer either. I do know that once I was told what it was and could therefore identify it immediately when I encountered negative energy in others, that I would respectfully remove myself from engaging with those creating it. They call people like us, "sponges" in that we can feel other people's energy and therefore absorb it. But if we don't learn to control absorbing the negative energy of others, it drains us. Which I am sure you have experienced yourself. I know it would truly drain me before I learned what it was. I am grateful that it doesn't anymore!
What a wonderful experience to have - twice! Wandering around on college campuses always makes me feel young, I guess because I'm remembering the energy (and stress) of those student days...
Yes! I pick up on that energy too. I absorb the energy of those around me and, at age 61, know better how to repel energy that doesn't work for me or with me.
I was 14 and knew I was going to take the world by storm! I had been a modern dancer since the age of 9 and had plans to become a famous dancer in New York City. So, one summer I “told” my parents that I wanted to go to NYC for a few weeks and take dance lessons. Age 14! But, my mom let me go (I think my dad must’ve been in the background shaking his head a resounding No!).
One morning, my mom dropped me off at the Amtrak station and to NYC I went. Mom, having lived and danced in NYC years earlier, warned me not to get into anything other that a yellow checkered taxi cab. I assured her I would remember her advice and off I went.
I “landed” at Penn Station at 34th & 8th in a very bright, sunny afternoon. I was not at all prepared for all that I was to experience. I got turned around and landed at a mountainous set of stairs that me and my 500lb suitcase were not prepared for. Well, seeing my struggle, a very kind woman offered to help me get my back up the stairs. I politely declined (I was determined to do this on my own) and she shrugged and made her way upwards.
I finally reached the top and was astonished and, quite frankly, assaulted by the cacophony of noise everywhere! People rushing by, cars honking their horns, and street vendors selling their goods. I wasn’t prepared for this at all. I proceeded to look for and hail the yellow checkered taxi cab. I finally found one after declining several “imposter” taxis and went to my hotel.
I reached my hotel room, guided by a bellhop, down a long, dark, and seemingly secluded hallway. I was terrified! The room was exceedingly small and unfriendly. I called my mom to say that I made it and sat down to think about what I’d just done. It was all so overwhelming! Then, it hit me. I am not at all prepared for this! Not yet! Now what do I do?
My mom must’ve been prepared. When I called her back in a panic, she calmly suggested that she have an old friend pick me up and take me to his family’s home in Brooklyn. And, in one swift move, he arrived, and carried me to “safety”. I went home the next day and was ever so glad to be in the warmth and safety of my home and my mom’s arms! Needless to say, I realized then that at age 14, I was not quite ready to strike out on my own.
Ironically, seven years later and with a lot more confidence, I travelled to the same place where I hailed my first taxi cab on 34th and 8th streets in NYC to start my new adventure!
Ahhhh...new adventures at different ages and stages of our lives. The phone in NYC was probably a pay phone, not just pick up your cell and say, "COME GET ME!" I love, that seven years later, you returned and were "ready." Beautiful story.
Oh, how lovely, Mary - what a wonderful post! Really enjoyable read.
In answer to your question: I'm lost a LOT. Finding myself is a work in progress... 🤣
What a great day for you! I love being on college campuses. I saw in your response to someone else that you absorb the energy of those around you. So do I. And like you, over time I have learned how to repel the negative energy. Loved reading your essay, Mary!
Susan, you fellow empath you! Thank you so much for reading and also for commenting. How did we actually learn how to repel the negative energy? I truly have no idea, but I know that I did.
Mary, excellent question! I don't have a concrete answer either. I do know that once I was told what it was and could therefore identify it immediately when I encountered negative energy in others, that I would respectfully remove myself from engaging with those creating it. They call people like us, "sponges" in that we can feel other people's energy and therefore absorb it. But if we don't learn to control absorbing the negative energy of others, it drains us. Which I am sure you have experienced yourself. I know it would truly drain me before I learned what it was. I am grateful that it doesn't anymore!
What a wonderful experience to have - twice! Wandering around on college campuses always makes me feel young, I guess because I'm remembering the energy (and stress) of those student days...
Yes! I pick up on that energy too. I absorb the energy of those around me and, at age 61, know better how to repel energy that doesn't work for me or with me.