Posts Tagged ‘Immigration’

Global in NYC

Lady Liberty Welcomes Everyone

When I had to decide where to begin this global journey, I chose New York City.

I’ve lived in NYC for almost 20 years, so I have to admit that I have a biased opinion.  For me, it’s the greatest city in the world.

The Statue of Liberty has stood in the harbor since 1886 and many consider her the symbol of American Freedom.   Ellis Island welcomed millions of immigrants to our country.   Over the years, people came in waves from countries all over the planet.  Today, immigration is processed at Kennedy Airport as flights arrive from Africa and Asia.

One thing I love about New York is that everyone lives together.  My neighbors were from all races, religions and political views.  I would ride the subway to work and see people reading all kinds of foreign language newspapers – English, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Arabic, Korean.  Everyone was going to work and everyone wanted to read their newspapers!

While America is the great melting pot of immigrants, we still manage to keep our separate cultures alive.   There is a real excitement within the first generation of American immigrants.  They have come to make a better life for themselves and work very hard to be successful.  Many have left family behind but they are thankful for the opportunities they can make here.

My family came to the States a long, long time ago and I’ve forgotten that pioneer spirit.   I take so many things for granted.  My life seems pretty easy when I think about the recent immigrants and what they’re facing.

Dale Carnegie said “It isn’t what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy.  It is what you think about.”

Dale’s right – think about all the good things in life, and there they are.  Lady Liberty is standing in the NYC harbor as a beacon for freedom and prosperity.  I’m going to think about her and smile when I go into that new Jamaican restaurant and order dinner.

Happy Living Global!  Joy