Ever since the second lockdown started, I felt it would be a different one (and thankfully, I was right). So I planned on going out for a daily walk, to still enjoy the city (yes, we are allowed!). I’m fortunate enough to live in one of my favourite neighbourhoods in London, so a walk here is a delight. I didn’t get to do it daily as I planned, but on the days I did, I was so happy to be doing it, that nothing else mattered. I was walking through the rain and it didn’t bother me one bit. The city was so beautiful, that just seeing it’s charm and connecting with it made everything else insignificant. And I realized that, even though I used to “hate” the rain, the wind, the cold, I don’t feel like that anymore. I just enjoy the moment, the beautiful and inspiring surroundings and nothing else matters.
A few days ago, I was doing just that, walking in the rain, loving every second of it and I thought there is no better city to be “stuck” in. That if I can’t travel to another city, I completely love the one I’m staying in. I cannot pick a better one. And then I get home and see a post about London being chosen as the best city in the world for 2021 and that it is the best city in the world for the sixth year in a row. And it felt right. They say there’s no better urban experience anywhere. For me, that is true. This is the perfect city and as I plan new adventures and lots of business travel for the years to come, I cannot imagine leaving London behind. It has been my home for almost two years now and I admit that not only does it feel like home, but that no matter where I go, my roots are staying here.
So many people, including my father, asked my why I chose London as my home, when I could have chosen any city in the world. And it’s funny because I don’t know if I chose London or London chose me. Because looking back, I decided to move here when I realized that this city does feel like home and it inspires me in a way I never thought possible until I felt it here. London charmed me into staying here and then it helped me heal in the most beautiful way. It helped me create the most beautiful relationship with myself and my inner child. It helped me discover what I like, what I want to do, who I truly am, my authentic self. It gave me so many reasons to live and express my joy. London truly helped me heal my broken heart. It helped me come to a place where I’m ready to love again. For this and many other reasons, London will always have a special place in my heart.
The most beautiful part is that I now got to the point where I am truly happy, on the inside. Where no matter how the outside looks, I am happy. It can rain, it can be windy, it can be cloudy, I still enjoy every moment. Before I could do it because London was enchanting me and this activated that beautiful joy inside. The outside world helped me change my inside world. Now, the inside world is at peace, happy and joyful. And it now impacts the outside world. When I am aligned, everything on the outside is aligned too. When I am happy (thankfully that is my natural state now), the outside world reflects that back to me. That is such an amazing place to be! How can it get even better than that?
