Sunrise

Yesterday morning I got up at 5:15, got dressed and drove to Robert Moses State Park
which is an Atlantic ocean beach on the south shore of Long Island. I stopped at Dunkin Donuts and got a delicious cup of coffee. I found out that they open up at 4:30.am. Good to know.
I drove a half an hour in the dark to the beach. I parked the car and found my way over the dunes to the beach lit only by starlight. I had checked the weather forcast and was happy to see that it was correct as I gazed up at the stars on a clear dark sky. One or two boats lit up the far away horizon out in the ocean
I got there a bit early but was able to experience the entire dawning experience. At first the stars were fully visible, the sun having no effect on the night sky. It really is darkest just before dawn. In time the eastern sky began to become less dark but only by a little. Slowly the sun's light began to have it's way. From left to right the sky became less and less dark. Only the brightest stars could hold their own in the face of the still unrisen sun. I was alone the whole time waiting in darkness. Not even a sea gull squawking to disturb the gentil roar of the surf.
Songs with morning themes came into my head, "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens, "Early in the Mornin" by Peter Paul and Mary, and several others that have more to do with waking with your lover than experiencing the beauty of the raw sunrise.
I took it all in and was rewarded with a glimpse of red, a bright orange slit of fire just above the ocean. Little by little it grew, brighter and brighter as it quickly showed its full brilliance in the east. At first I could look directly at it, but in a few minutes I had to look away quickly, unable to hold my glance more than a few seconds, blinded by the brilliance.
March is a good time to experience the sunrise here on Long Island. Cold, but not freezing and the position of the sun is still low enough in the sky so it rises out of the ocean and not over land as it will later in Spring and Summer. What a morning. I stand in awe of the earth's Creator. It was a real "Aha Moment" - A moment of "Simple Happiness". What a joy to bask in the wonders of creation.

PIPER Conference

Yesterday I gave a presentation at the second annual PIPER (People Improving Peer Empowerment Recovery) Conference. It was held at Touro Law School in Central Islip, NY. My presentation on Simple Happiness - Eight Characteristics of Happy People was very well attended and very well received. However it was far from the highlight of the day.

Deb Damone, founder of PIPER and who is recovering from mental illness herself, told her story at the end of the morning session. It was unlike any life's experience I had ever heard. Her's is a story of survival. She has survived traumatic experiences of her youth and has turned a severe mental condition into a story of hope and inspiration for anyone who suffers from mental illness.

Through PIPER, Deb uses her considerable skills and talents to bring hope and practical ideas to those who partake in her program. She encourages her students to become advocates for others who struggle daily with the issues of mental illness. She brings in speakers from far and wide to enhance the learning experience of her students. Deb continues to develop new programs to challenge her students to continually reach higher in their efforts to overcome their sometimes deep seated disabilities.

You never really know what is going on inside a person's head. You never know what struggles a person could be dealing with in their daily life. Yesterday was a lesson in love, compassion and inspiration and determination. Thanks you Deb.

Deb will be appearing at the Book Revue in Huntington at 7:00 pm on April 6, 2010. She will be giving a talk and signing copies of her book, "The Ominous Betrayal: Memoir of a Child of Hope". If you are suffering from any mental illness or know someone who is, you must attend this event and get her book.
Contact Deb @ deb_damone@yahoo.com