There's More There Than Meets the Eye

There’s More There than Meets the Eye I went to Dunkin Donuts last to get a cup of coffee as I often do. I feel that the caffeine helps me stay awake so I can do some reading or writing. I also just love Dunkin Donuts coffee. Usually either Jorge or Rich is there to serve me. Jorge always has my coffee ready for me as soon as I walk in. Medium, milk one sugar. He always makes me feel good. He works hard, sometimes six or seven 14 hour days per week. I have much respect for him. Tonight Rich was there. He always takes an interest in my talks, asking me where I’ve been recently. He is very well read. One area of interest is Eastern Religions. I mentioned to him that I had just finished a small book by Thich Nhat Hanh which was given to me by a friend. Rich knew all about him having read many of his books. He even promised me that he will bring one of his books in next week for me to borrow. I love getting to know people who work in service businesses. So often when you engage them in conversation they reveal much more going on inside them than we might at first give them credit for. It happens over and over to me. Don’t be too quick to make judgements about people because they might work serving coffee in Dunkin Donuts. Be sure that more often than not, there’s more there than meets the eye.

Two Hours of Serenity

Earlier this week I was making my way from my class that I teach at the DWI Alternative Facility in Yaphank to an appointment in Southampton. I had quite a bit of extra time before my meeting in Southampton, so I decided to stop at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Island in Manorville. I had passed the Shrine hundreds of times before while on my way to the Hamptons. I drove in not knowing what to expect. I followed the winding road in and parked in an area that looked like the place to park. I visited several buildings (chapels)sitting for a few minutes in each to enjoy the presence of God. I then began to follow a paved trail through the woods, around and up a slight incline. At the top was a huge boulder which was the base for a larger that life statue of Mary holding her infant son, Jesus. In front of the statue and boulder was an altar surrounded by many rows of wooden benches. From the back of the area I could see south to what was, I think, the Moriches bay and beyond to the Atlantic Ocean. The place was empty and just cried out to me to stay and be still. I felt as if I were on retreat, just me and the Lord, experiencing each other's presence. The day was beautiful, warm and sunny, which set off the brilliant blue sky, the deep greens of the lush pine trees and the occasional bright splash of yellows and reds of the fabulous fall folliage. It reminded me how important it is to be alone, by myself, with myself and just BE. The serenity I experienced that day will call me back, I'm sure, to seek time to reconnect with my Creator, as I did that day.

Author Luncheon

I was one of 4 authors honored yesterday by "The Corridor" magazine. It was a packed room and all the authors were greeted enthusiatically. My fellow authors were Jean Marie Prince, Ellen Lichtenstein and Ernie Fazio. I got a chance to speak for a few minutes and presented my "Parable of the Mansion", to the delight of the audience. Thanks to Barbara Kent, Publisher and Editor in Chief of "The Corridor". Many photos were taken and I'm sure they're posted all over facebook.