I’m all settled into my new place and it feels a lot more like home than my last home ever did. So far, I wouldn’t say it’s been exactly easy, but it’s been amazing. I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve only been here a week. 

Most of my neighbors are old-head Jamaican gentlemen which I love. I feel like I gained a whole new set of grandfathers who sit on the stoop and spit wisdom on sunny afternoons…I’m lucky that they share some of their life lessons with me. After telling them my story and that I just moved here from Philly, my favorite new grandpa says;

“Sweetheart, the thing about living in New York is that you’ve got to learn to be in charge of your own breaks. The city won’t give them to you. You can never out-do anything here. You can try to outparty, outwork, outsmart New York, but the city will always win. Always.”

I feel like that’s some damn good wisdom for a girl that tends to go, go, go. If I’m gonna take advice from anyone, I’m thinking it should be from someone who knows a thing or two about a thing or two, and who better than a grandfather? Even if he isn’t really mine. 

When I was growing up my parents used the reasoning, “Because it builds character” for everything. 

Me: Why do I hafta to eat tofu? 

Mom: Because it builds character.

Me: Why do I hafta mow the lawn?

Dad: Because it builds character.

Me: Why are The Cosby Show & The Golden Girls the only TV shows I’m allowed to watch?

Mom & Dad: Because they build character. 

I grew up hating this character thing because it represented everything non-fun. I couldn’t grasp it and I just didn’t get it. 

Years later I learned that character really is important. It’s the umbrella for all of those other super important traits like integrity, morals and ethics. It dictates how people act and treat you. Sometimes, you have to cut people out of your life who’s character isn’t up to standards because bad character is contagious. You’ve gotta work to protect the character that your parents spent all those years building with tofu dinners and The Golden Girls marathons. 

Character is everything. Lawn-mowing exercises both the mind and body and The Cosby Show was some damn good television. Thanks Mom & Dad… I get it now.