Natalie Nascenzi's Blog
October 15, 2021
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Inner peace is very difficult to achieve, espeically in the world we live in today.
But...
There will come a time when you wake up one day and all of your worries and fears have suddenly fallen away. You begin to notice life’s peaceful little details ~ like flower shops that line the sidewalk, birds resting on fire escapes, and children skipping cracks in the concrete.
You’ll notice how the sunlight can hit a building just right to make a brick shine. You’ll hear the soft buzzing of insects wizzing by — once an irritating background noise…suddenly appreciated as a soothing hum.
You’ll notice peoples faces — some cracked and worn from a lifetime of struggle, some fresh and youthful, some inviting and friendly, some angry and tired. But, you’ll decide to smile at every one of them as they pass.
You’ll notice how the rumbling of car engines, the chirping of birds and the endless chatter of strangers conversations, all different sounds, somehow seem to create a beautiful symphony.
You suddenly realize that every little part of life is beautifully fascinating.
You suddenly realize that no matter what happens, it’s all going to be okay.
You suddenly realize that even in an ugly world, there is something beautiful everywhere you look.
You suddenly realize that simply being alive is the greatest treasure.
You suddenly realize….
You have found happiness in everything.
You have found peace
You are home.
Please. Never give up. That time will come.
But...
There will come a time when you wake up one day and all of your worries and fears have suddenly fallen away. You begin to notice life’s peaceful little details ~ like flower shops that line the sidewalk, birds resting on fire escapes, and children skipping cracks in the concrete.
You’ll notice how the sunlight can hit a building just right to make a brick shine. You’ll hear the soft buzzing of insects wizzing by — once an irritating background noise…suddenly appreciated as a soothing hum.
You’ll notice peoples faces — some cracked and worn from a lifetime of struggle, some fresh and youthful, some inviting and friendly, some angry and tired. But, you’ll decide to smile at every one of them as they pass.
You’ll notice how the rumbling of car engines, the chirping of birds and the endless chatter of strangers conversations, all different sounds, somehow seem to create a beautiful symphony.
You suddenly realize that every little part of life is beautifully fascinating.
You suddenly realize that no matter what happens, it’s all going to be okay.
You suddenly realize that even in an ugly world, there is something beautiful everywhere you look.
You suddenly realize that simply being alive is the greatest treasure.
You suddenly realize….
You have found happiness in everything.
You have found peace
You are home.
Please. Never give up. That time will come.
except from the book “The Aftermath of Unrest”
There was no “New York Energy.” It was the shell of a city––as if the buildings were dry bones, resting peacefully in a graveyard of concrete.
The soul of the city is the endless stream of diverse people that flood the streets. It’s the liveliness of bars and restaurants. The honking of taxi cars and the rumble from the subway beneath your feet. It’s the smell of Halal carts, sidewalk garbage, and cherry blossoms.
New York City is electrifying, unexpected, and spontaneously chaotic in the most wonderful way. It’s a blur of people, places, and things all happening at once. New York City is alive. It’s the city that never sleeps.
Until it does.
Park Avenue, April 2020
Even though we were supposed to stay inside as much as possible, that didn’t stop me from restlessly wandering the empty city. When the Governor said it was okay to go for walks, that’s all I needed to know.
I followed all the rules…mask on, sanitizer handy, and distance kept between me and any lingering stranger on the street (although there were very few).
It was like being the last person on Earth. I walked in circles up and down 1st Ave, down 54th to Park, and back down 53rd––every single day, multiple times a day. It was safer staying close to home and it was better to walk with my thoughts instead of sit in place with them. At least I could blast music and lose myself in the surrounding emptiness of the City. These lonely walks became ritualistic. It was my new routine and a way to keep my sanity in check throughout the day.
The beginning of April was the worst of the pandemic. It was just before we “hit the climax” and were steadily approaching the darkest of days. On April 5 during one of my walks, I decided to sit on Park Avenue. It was just after a massive downpour and the concrete was shiny and sleek. The air smelled of rain and gravel. The city was absolutely silent. The rain had come and gone but there was nobody to get caught in it. The atmosphere was eerie, dark grey, and lifeless. The sound of the rushing fountain reverberated off the buildings and echoed down the empty street. The deep smoldering sky blended with the concrete. It was as if there was no difference between clouds, building shadows, and asphalt. Everything was one,blanketed in the ashy stillness of silence.
It was truly mind-shattering. Park Avenue was once one of the busiest streets in New York City and now it was completely empty. There wasn’t car in sight nor a person. Every few minutes, I would glance up from my notebook and see someone hopping over puddle and scurrying away; or a couple would walk by with their hoods pulled tight around their heads and masks covering most of their faces.
The city, in this moment, was now a world of two things: silence and eyes.
The soul of the city is the endless stream of diverse people that flood the streets. It’s the liveliness of bars and restaurants. The honking of taxi cars and the rumble from the subway beneath your feet. It’s the smell of Halal carts, sidewalk garbage, and cherry blossoms.
New York City is electrifying, unexpected, and spontaneously chaotic in the most wonderful way. It’s a blur of people, places, and things all happening at once. New York City is alive. It’s the city that never sleeps.
Until it does.
Park Avenue, April 2020
Even though we were supposed to stay inside as much as possible, that didn’t stop me from restlessly wandering the empty city. When the Governor said it was okay to go for walks, that’s all I needed to know.
I followed all the rules…mask on, sanitizer handy, and distance kept between me and any lingering stranger on the street (although there were very few).
It was like being the last person on Earth. I walked in circles up and down 1st Ave, down 54th to Park, and back down 53rd––every single day, multiple times a day. It was safer staying close to home and it was better to walk with my thoughts instead of sit in place with them. At least I could blast music and lose myself in the surrounding emptiness of the City. These lonely walks became ritualistic. It was my new routine and a way to keep my sanity in check throughout the day.
The beginning of April was the worst of the pandemic. It was just before we “hit the climax” and were steadily approaching the darkest of days. On April 5 during one of my walks, I decided to sit on Park Avenue. It was just after a massive downpour and the concrete was shiny and sleek. The air smelled of rain and gravel. The city was absolutely silent. The rain had come and gone but there was nobody to get caught in it. The atmosphere was eerie, dark grey, and lifeless. The sound of the rushing fountain reverberated off the buildings and echoed down the empty street. The deep smoldering sky blended with the concrete. It was as if there was no difference between clouds, building shadows, and asphalt. Everything was one,blanketed in the ashy stillness of silence.
It was truly mind-shattering. Park Avenue was once one of the busiest streets in New York City and now it was completely empty. There wasn’t car in sight nor a person. Every few minutes, I would glance up from my notebook and see someone hopping over puddle and scurrying away; or a couple would walk by with their hoods pulled tight around their heads and masks covering most of their faces.
The city, in this moment, was now a world of two things: silence and eyes.
March 11, 2020
Out of Chaos
Hey ya'll!
I just published a book. I don't know how it happened, it just did. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around how it all went down. Truthfully, it all kind of....fell into place. But isn't that the most magical part of life? Sometimes, we find ourselves stumbling into things we never would've expected.
So...what exactly is "OUT OF CHAOS" ? Well, it's more than just your average poetry collection. Its a journey. It's my poetic journey. It's my mental health journey. But in a way, it's also yours.
Each poem is a "story" in it's own right, but together, they complete the journey of battling your mind during the process of finding yourself.
Here's the super legit book description:
"Out of Chaos is a unique collection of poetry that combines the art of storytelling with personal reflection to explore the on going battle of the mind. This story of mental health will take you on a personal journey from start to finish. The author uses metaphors, traditional rhyme flow, alliteration, and assonance to paint a descriptive picture of each emotional topic–doubt, insecurity, duality, loneliness, hope, and the human connection. Each poem is different, but together, they complete an entire journey that encapsulates the single message: out of chaos, there is change."
Here's hoping my book makes its way into your hands. I like to believe whatever is meant to be will be :)
ALSO, the cover art is absolutely stunning (and way more photogenic than I will ever be)
Remember always, no matter what you go through, you are NOT ALONE. I'm here if you ever need a friend!
Let's chat!
insta: @nncenzi
I just published a book. I don't know how it happened, it just did. I'm still trying to wrap my brain around how it all went down. Truthfully, it all kind of....fell into place. But isn't that the most magical part of life? Sometimes, we find ourselves stumbling into things we never would've expected.
So...what exactly is "OUT OF CHAOS" ? Well, it's more than just your average poetry collection. Its a journey. It's my poetic journey. It's my mental health journey. But in a way, it's also yours.
Each poem is a "story" in it's own right, but together, they complete the journey of battling your mind during the process of finding yourself.
Here's the super legit book description:
"Out of Chaos is a unique collection of poetry that combines the art of storytelling with personal reflection to explore the on going battle of the mind. This story of mental health will take you on a personal journey from start to finish. The author uses metaphors, traditional rhyme flow, alliteration, and assonance to paint a descriptive picture of each emotional topic–doubt, insecurity, duality, loneliness, hope, and the human connection. Each poem is different, but together, they complete an entire journey that encapsulates the single message: out of chaos, there is change."
Here's hoping my book makes its way into your hands. I like to believe whatever is meant to be will be :)
ALSO, the cover art is absolutely stunning (and way more photogenic than I will ever be)
Remember always, no matter what you go through, you are NOT ALONE. I'm here if you ever need a friend!
Let's chat!
insta: @nncenzi
