Smooth Seas Never Made a Skillful Sailor

Yesterday was a tough one all around for many people that I care deeply about. Some are displaced, some are without necessities many of us have come to take for granted, and many are preparing for months (years?) of rebuilding themselves and the city they love. 

As I took inventory this morning of all our NYC portfolio company founders and employees, I was relieved to find mainly inconveniences, rather than tragedies. As I sit here thousands of miles away, my heart is with them all.

My first REAL visit to NYC was in 2005. I had been to New York before, but in 2005, the city opened up to me in an entirely different way. I met people with tough exteriors and gooey centers. Creative, soulful people unlike any I’d ever met. And I connected with them, and their emerging tech community, in a way I’d never been able to connect with others before.

And tho they all came from different backgrounds, they all shared one thing in common- they LOVED New York City.

I don’t use the word love lightly here. I’ve never met a group of people so enamored with their city. And it shows in every facet. Talk to a New Yorker about sports, tech, fashion, food and their love for all things NYC simply bubbles out of them.

I love New York City because they love it so completely.

Since that first visit I’ve become an adopted son of the city. I’m fortunate to spend time there every month. At the end of each trip, without fail, my mind is swirling, my face grinning and my heart is longing for more.

Living in NYC isn’t easy, never has been. And doesn’t appear to be getting any easier in the wake of Sandy. But as the old saying goes, smooth seas never made a skillful sailor. I have every confidence that NYC will bounce back stronger than ever despite the rough seas ahead.

My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.