beat 212 - melodious

"My heart beats for music. My life is about music. It's what I do, I make beats, I rap, I sing. That's why I have an "I heart music" tattoo. I love music."


-Jeremy Murr, Bronx, NY
musician 

beat 211 - moved

"Well my heart is broken and it's still beating. Which is a good thing. Just a week ago I went on the internet and saw a picture of New York and my heart started going really fast. It got excited. So I booked a ticket to come here. I had to come. I just arrived about three hours ago, so we will see where my heart goes from here."


-Benjamin, a little town in Holland
student, studying sociocultural education for disabled people

beat 210 - delicate

"My heart is extremely fragile - which is odd considering how I am as a person. I am so open and I don't ever hold back. But from my background I shouldn't be that way, I should be more discriminating. But I'm not. Because I don't want to be even though I've been hurt."


-Carlin Ross, NYC
co-founder of Dodsonandross.com

beat 209 - schooled

"I got a claddagh tattoo when I was 19 years old and got my heart broken. This was part of my getting over it process. My friend held my hand the entire time, but I learned that the tattoo was a lot like heartbreak: painful, but nothing that wouldn't heal in time."


-Lena Chen, Boston, MA
writer, sexologist, feminist and gay advocate

beat 208 - unyielding

"I have been through a lot of pain in my life but my heart is happy. It uses the pain to grow stronger. My heart is my warrior."


-Taryn Higgins, New Jersey


**photo taken of her mud splattered face after she competed in a 12 mile, mud and boot camp style race called Tough Mudder**

208 - riskful

"One of my favorite quotes comes to mind: "Live like you are going to die tomorrow. Learn like you will live forever." And, well, my heart beats for Star Wars."


-Sam, 
entrepreneur 

beat 207 - merciful

"It's forgiving."


-Mike Nuttle, Hoboken, NJ
Bartender at The Turtle Club, Hoboken

beat 206 - fragile

"My heart is easily broken."


-Martine Langatta, New York City
Actress

beat 205 - shelled

"My heart is really protected. But once you break through to me it's gooey on the inside and I am fiercely loyal and loving."
-Karina Cascante, New York, originally from Costa Rica

beat 204 - unlimited

"My heart is located at the bottom corner of my left boob. It's big and red and veiny. It has a lot of work to do but it manages to keep up. So far.
I push it to the limit to see how far it will go. I'll push it to the limit with everything without hesitating. I'd rather make the effort of pushing it and not worrying what effect it will have then live boring and not push it at all. Whether I run 10 miles or jump out of a plane or have sex for 12 hours straight. It's about making my heart work hard. That's what I enjoy."


-Sebastian Sauve, England
Model with Soul Management NYC

beat 203 - clear

"My heart is free and it never lies."


-Allison McClellan, NYC
Hair Stylist

beat 202 - led

"I have lived my life trusting the guidance of my heart. Some people think it's foolish to live that way...and there have certainly been times when it didn't work out so well for me...but I am a happy man, surrounded by the love of so many people...my family, friends, such as you - Nicole - and Tommy, who continues to help my heart grow daily. So I continue to let it guide me and trust I am making the right decisions."


-Dennis Golonka, NY
photographer, founder of Un-titled Project, writer

beat 201 - uncompromised

"My heart belongs to my girlfriend and my two boys. They have captured it and they hold it wherever they go. I never thought I could love as much as I do. I want to be a good person because of them. My girlfriend and I have been together for four years. We don't get along 24/7 but even when we fight, we understand each other and respect each other and the needs we have. It's about compromise without compromising your love for the other person or for what you want. That's why we raise our boys so well because we get along and give one another space and respect. I'm going to buy her a ring soon, she deserves it. She is one great lady."


-Everett, Brooklyn, NY
Security Guard

beat 200 - found

"I realized today how little moments can mean so much to us. I'm a strong person but little feelings open up the pasts and that can break you down. But little moments, and how gentle people can actually be together if they try, that means so much. That includes anything from tickling Jacqueline's arm to just looking at my husband. Families are very verbal together and as people grow together and grow older they become more verbal and I understand. I left home at 17 because my family wasn't open, my parents were holocaust survivors and I never had that verbal talk, I never knew that with my parents. It was hard for me to leave, but I knew I had to. You know when you know something inside? I knew. Well it's very hard to leave someone, especially family, but sometimes you have to think about yourself. And when you do, you become strong and you realize who you are and what you can be. I see my children now and I see who they are from all they've been through and I'm so proud of them. I'm so proud of all of us for having the strength and doing it. I am so happy now. Happier than ever. It feels really nice to be where I am."

-Ruth Grubler, Montvale, NJ

Owner of Ruthie'Z Boutique in Armonk, NY 

beat 199 - incite

"My heart has been through a lot in my years. I feel very lucky to be who I am and to have lived what I lived. Life is never easy. It has it's ups and downs. But I look at young girls these days and I think I had it pretty good. My husband and I worked together for years, so when he passed away I was still capable. I knew how to keep going without him. Some women of my generation, well they'd kill themselves after their husbands died. They didn't know how to keep going. Their hearts weren't in life any more. But not me. My heart is in it all. I kept working and having my fun, life keeps going. You know that, right? You gotta keep going no matter what happens. you can never let it run over you, who wants to die? No one. Keep going. And that's what I do and I like it."


-Annie Zeide, Fort Lee, NJ

beat 198 - faith

"I love God. I believe in God and the things he tells me in the bible will make me a good person and make things right for me. I come to this country and I find good people and ways to live. I believe that will always be how it is."


*moments after he said this, he grabbed my arm and looked me dead in the eyes and said: "can you find me a girl? I know you know some good ladies. I want myself a good, fine girl. Take me out to a club and introduce me to some good ladies."
I asked him if he believed in God, didn't he believe God would find him a good girl? He laughed and said, "I think you have more power than God does in that department."


-Franck, Bronx, NY
Hess Gas Station Worker

beat 197 - lucky

"This is insane...I've thought about when you were going to ask me this question (so close to the wedding) for months now...I cannot believe it's finally time to answer it.


What keeps repeating itself over and over in my head is LUCKY IN LOVE...
My heart feels lucky to have found the man of my dreams (and FAR beyond even that), and loved so completely by him, so lucky to be days away from a gorgeous wedding that will bring together our closest family and friends, and then extreme lucky IN LOVE to know that I'm marrying into a family that I adore, can't get enough of, and truly completes me.


My heart feels so much excitememt and utter joy thinking about what's only days away! I can not wait to be Scot's wife...I'm so proud of that...I feel so LUCKY IN LOVE!


-Jacqueline Zeide Tatelman, Brooklyn, NY
Days before her wedding to Scot

beat 196 - anticipated

"My heart is pounding. Excited, nervous, excitedly nervous...you name it. I think it feels this way because this upcoming weekend is the culmination of so much. Not just logistical things revolving around the event - more so just the fact that people are starting to board planes, pack their bags and mobilize to the middle of nowhere...FOR US! It's probably the most overwhelming feeling I've ever had. And the best part is - everyone believes in us and knows that this is right. I guess when I write that out, my heart just feels so full. I got the lady that everyone adores, wants and envies and almost 200 people will be surrounding us to celebrate that all weekend...how lucky am I?


-Scot Tatelman, Brooklyn, NY
a few days prior to his wedding to Jacqueline 

beat 195 - united

"My heart is at home here in New York. I feel so comfortable and connected to this place. The moment I see the city skyline, I feel my heart take a big, full beat and I feel alive."

-Jenny, Honolulu, Hawaii originally from New Jersey 

blogger: Aubrey Road

beat 194 - directed

"Truthfully, I would say my heart is with my mom, Sonia. She's the strongest person I know. She's blind since birth and raised me all alone. Can you imagine the strength that takes? This lady has power and so much love. She is all my heart. She had to make some really tough decisions through her life. She never complained. She handled it all and she is always happy. My life is good because of her. I owe her everything I have. My dad was around but he died a few years ago. He was blind too, but from an accident. After he went blind he kinda lost it and was in and out of being mentally straight. So it was all about my mom. She did a great job. She's my heart."


-Edward, Bronx, NY
Security Guard

beat 193 - timorous

"In university I met a man. I was holding him so tight all the time because I was young and I thought that's how you don't lose them. But it was too tight and I made him scared. I lost him and my heart never felt the same again. I do have men around but they don't compare. I wish to see him all the time. I wish to be near him often but we never see each other in many years. I am scared my heart will never love again and I will be old alone. He was so great and together we were great. My heart hurts for him."


-Jena Peterson, Uk and Los Angeles from Sweden
Actress and model

beat 192 - anonymous

"I went deaf as a child. Which makes being homeless even more difficult. I don't have many friends. But I don't have any enemies either. I like my life, I just go about with my day. Don't show my face in the picture, I don't want to be famous, that would be boring. Now I can go around and have my fun and talk to the people on the street without anyone watching me."


-Doug, New York City

beat 191 - grounded

"She is full, brimming, bursting. Inundated with joy, expanding in times of feast. She squirrels morsels of sustenance away for times of drought. She has known famine. She chooses to hibernate instead of constrict. Sometimes, she hides. Like a child frightened of raised voices or nightmares, she retreats into the recesses when startled. Other times, threats emblazon her. Impassion her. Make her a force to be reckoned with. She embraces her dichotomies.

She is rooted, extending her tentacles down my torso, through my thighs and shins, extending beyond my feet and into the earth. She branches down my arms into my fingertips. She initiates handshakes and hugs.

She is tender and strong. Wizened and scarred, but never closed. She is open. Emanating light. Proffering friendship. Seeking love.

She is the seat of my power. Combined with my gut, my compass. She points me home.

She breeds hope."

-Leigh MorLock, Siem Reap, Cambodia

beat 190 - going

"Well, my heart is still beating. But that's only because I take care of it. Sometimes."


-Ellen Christine, NYC from PA
Ellen Christine Millinery

beat 189 - bare

"My heart is happy. I love New York City."


-Ago, NYC
Almost 10 years old, 4th grader

beat 188 - adored

"My husband and I were best friends well before we got married. I never thought I would be so lucky to be with someone that I love so much and understand so greatly. We are in it forever and forever will be great. I married into this wonderful family that took me in and hugs me with love all the time. You need good families around you. If someone does come from a good family, nothing is ever easy."


-Franny Lobo, New Jersey

beat 187 - burned

"I'm a single mother. I have been for many years. I never thought my life would be like this, I had dreams when I was young of living a fairy tale life with my price charming. But that didn't work out. Prince charming was abusive. I stayed in it for the children cause I wanted them to have a mom and dad at home each night. My heart always knew I shouldn't stay and making the decision for the children wasn't right of me. I should have left earlier because I probably wouldn't be alone now. But I'm happy. Tired, but happy. I smile at strangers, I talk to my kids multiple times a day. I work at at great job. My heart just misses deep intimacy."


-Justina B, New Jersey
Paralegal 

beat 186 - selfless

"My heart belongs to the people of the United States of America."


-Matt Dixon, NYC
personal trainer, newly enlisted to the US military

beat 185 - exposed

"My heart is vulnerable."


-Felice, New Jersey

beat 184 - manly

"My heart is simple. I'm a normal man, as a man it's heathy, sound and well. As a man i have sex when I want sex. When I want food, I have food. It's simple as a man. I am man."

- Mahbubul Islam, Queens, NY for 20 years from Bangladesh 
Taxi driver

beat 183 - proud

"My heart has lots of emotions. I'm very emotional. I'm 68 years old and I'm emotional and happy and my heart is good. There are good things within it. I don't live in New York anymore but my heart is here. My family has a park named after it, Hammel Place, we are real old New York. My father was born here in 1900. All real New Yorkers are good people."

-George Hammel, Belgium 

Photographer