How Are You So Sure? Because the Universe Provides

"How are you so sure?" I asked a friend that question, in awe of his certainty that he's where he's meant to be in life and will get every and anything he wants and needs.


He pointed to the walls of the studio where we sat and each poster on the wall had a story. He could recount all the laughs and tears and the gifts he received and things he lost. He expresses gratitude for all he has and goes through life fearlessly. Not to be confused with foolishly.

We were hanging out that day because I needed his energy. I always feel good in his presence. I feel heard and I'm guaranteed a piece of sage advice from him. 

I was on vacation a few weeks prior and questioning my direction in life. I was internalizing all the change in New York. There was this resistance in me against being the 'naked man photographer'. I was discouraged at my living situation and bank account balances. 

It's hard to look on the bright side at times and go forward knowing I will be taken care of. Even though I'm ten years removed, depression has rewired my brain. My usually optimistic, determined nature is sometimes shattered with hopelessness, despair and fear.

Why Did I Start Native Creative Concierge?

Native Creative Concierge LLC - curated private excursions in New York City,
Abigail Ekue, CEO & Operator

I answered a media request from CEO Blog Nation where they were seeking stories from entrepreneurs on why they started their business. My submission wasn't published, so I'm sharing it here!


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"Where should we eat tomorrow night?" "Do you know which way is Madison Avenue?" These are questions I field on a regular basis from friends and strangers alike. It was a natural progression to start Native Creative Concierge, my service where I could provide firsthand experiences as answers to those questions.




I knew I didn't want to go back to a 9-to-5 office job and I needed an income. As a New York native, I know there's more to the city than Manhattan and the publicized tourist attractions that can also be tourist traps. There's so much more to NY than Times Square! -- I've adopted that catchphrase to combat the line of thinking that if someone visits those attractions, they've visited NY.

A New Yorker Not From New York

Abigail Ekue Photography

"I’ve learned I don’t care for people who say they’re from New York when they’re not. If you’ve lived here 13 years -- or even just eight years -- you can call yourself a New Yorker, but you can’t say you’re from New York."

That statement by David Blend in his post, "What I Learned Living in NYC for 13 Years" received an audible, "yes!" response from me.


I'm sensitive about some things. That is one of them. People who live here are New Yorkers. There's a reason we specify "Native New Yorker" and "New Yorker". Being from New York means something, considering our numbers are shrinking. I am from New York. I even have my own lawn! (well not really, but you get the idea)



What else did I agree with David on?


There really are a lot of Jews in New York. Including Black Jews. I wonder if he's visited or spent time in the Orthodox and/or Hasidic communities in Brooklyn. I've had immediate next door neighbors erect sukkahs (Crown Heights, I miss you!). I drove through Williamsburg on the night of Purim this past March -- a whole 'nother world.