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Lisa Natoli here, in the house.
This week’s blog is a video shot on location in New York City.
I was recently in New York for James Twyman’s one-man musical about St. Francis of Assisi – and James and my husband Bill Free spent two months (during January/February 2020) touring the USA with no money and no credit cards to follow and embody the message of St. Francis – and their tour ended in NYC, so I joined them there.
And my while there, my husband Bill thought it would be fun to go to some of the places I used to hang out when I lived in New York and get camera footage – and you can check it out in this week’s video.
As I was taking a walk down memory lane, it occurred to me how magnificent life is when you let go of your plan and allow life to surprise you, guide you and take you to where you are meant to be.
I tell the story of being a small town girl from New Hampshire and how I decided I would “never, ever” live in a big city, especially not New York.
When I graduated from university in 1991, I had a degree in communication and journalism and I wanted to work in publishing. I love books. I love marketing. I love sales. And I thought working in a publishing office would be an amazing fit for me.
I was willing to go anywhere in the USA, anywhere that is EXCEPT New York City. It was 1991, before the internet, and there was a book The Writer’s Market which listed all the publishing offices in the United States and the world.
I bought a copy and circled all the places I could send my resume and every time I got to an a New York, NY address I made a big X mark though it and I thought “No. Way. Never.”
So it’s pretty funny to me that NYC is EXACTLY where I ended up!
And upon arriving in New York, I fell immediately in love with it and I’ve been in love with New York ever since – and continue to go there on a regular basis.
So, enjoy this video.
And allow yourself to be inspired to let go of your plan about what you think should happen and what you want to happen.
When you really let go of your attachment and vision of how you think things should turn out, life has a beautiful (and often funny) way of lifting you up and carrying you to exactly the place you are meant to be.
But if you hold on grasping to things so they happen in a certain way (your way), determined to dig your heels in until you get what you want, you’ll miss all the opportunities for your greatest happiness.
Also in this video, I talk about how I discovered finding peace and quiet in the midst of people and noise, even in a busy city like New York. Enjoy!
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9 Comments on “How to Let Go of Your Plans so Life Can Surprise You”
Hi Lisa… Thanks for sharing your story and modeling how to follow your hearts whisper.
I’m thrilled you love NYC and keep returning bec I get to see you. I grew up in Wash.DC and knew from the first time I visited NYC as a child it’s where I’d live after school. I skipped college so I could start my life in NYC asap and it’s been the greatest ride ever. It’s the ultimate playground packed with fun things to do… always something to see and lots of it for free. I love you and Bill and it was so fun sharing a delicious lunch with you both at my fav NYC restaurant “ABC” ! 💗💗💗
Thank you so much for sharing. I am always so inspired by your words. I wish I could better express my gratitude. Thank you to you and Bill!
Loved this! Love NYC. Grew up there, the Bronx and Queens, worked in Manhattan. My guidance led me away from NYC to where I found my happy place in a small town. Yup, that’s how it works. But I still love NYC! It’s true that if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. And I am proud to always tell everybody, although I don’t have to because I’ve never lost my accent LOL, that I am a native New Yorker! Love you Lisa!💞
I am so grateful for you and the message that God has given you to speak. It helps me every time.
I just moved away from NY (22 beautiful years there). I’m listening to God’s Voice and following my message to teach.
Thank you Lisa for reaffirming for me where God will lead us when we trust Him! It’s easy for me to listen to your voice, as it is calming to me.
Lisa i just want to say i love you❤
I am moved. Yes, there is a gigantic reason why taking a stand has genius in it. thank you for this, Lisa
I love you too, Lisa. Thank you for this powerful message for life.
Love is not what we do, it’s what we are, what we have. So Sorry Lisa