The Beginning....and some Edited notes a year later

After 30 years of teaching elementary students, I was ready for another purpose.  Maybe I could reach out to people and make their day a little easier.  Maybe a gentle greeting with a genuine interest in a person's life could help build a connection.  Maybe I could acknowledge the good, to give people a respite from social media and device addiction and their addiction to thinking.

In September 2024, I started a job as a cashier at a nearby grocery store in Westchester.  I picked this place because of its positive vibe and its access to many communities off the highway including Greenwich,  the Bronx and New York City.  This would put me in the ideal situation where people from all different walks of life are on a level playing field; getting groceries.  

Since this venture was not about the money; starting at minimum wage and not about status or recognition, I decided to not share that I was a college graduate with graduate degrees.  At this point in my life, recognition was not what I was interested in.  In fact, those same motivators that drove me to get an Ivy League education, buy fancy cars, build muscles and live in a life of "look at me" were counterproductive.  This would be an opportunity to be Me without a personal background or a collection of "stuff."  I would be one of the hundreds of people clocking in and out, dressing in a company polo shirt with a basic tag stating my first name.  

Today, October 2024, I start my blog with the purpose of sharing the kindness and goodness in people I continue to meet.  I feel humbled by people who fail to acknowledge their inner beauty and many times, the contribution they make to those around them-humanity.Edited Note (December 2024)   After several months of work, I have been greatly moved by the goodness in people.  There is a kindness and a deep appreciation for life which has moved me. My purpose, to be a catalyst, to uplift a person's day, has shifted to an appreciation of what these people can teach me.  

After each of my shifts my wife began to look forward to listening to the interactions I was having. She began to look forward to hearing about the people I made contact with and suggested I begin to journal this and maybe start a blog.  I felt that if I had a blog or put it on social media, then this experience would be more about "look at me" than its intent for genuine connections.  My close circle of friends, and a thought from my therapist, dismissed this venture as egoic and said the stories I shared with them brought a recognition to the compassion and kindness and joy that we tend to fail to see.


Edited Note (October 2025) Purpose of Existence             

Goal is for the reader to understand that when we feel beauty in this world, we are acknowledging our Beauty within and pouring positive energy out to any Being around us.   

Don't take my word for it...try it.  The next time you feel joy, share it with someone..."wow, look how beautiful the sun is as it bounces off that tree"...text them or send a picture showing what is bringing you joyful energy and watch how things open up....remember the key item is ALWAYS keep an open heart and NEVER judge what situations confronts you including any judgements on people.

Goal:  Recognizing our Light within (some may call God) is always with us regardless of situations, we just need to acknowledge it and ALL we take in becomes beautiful.

A Seed of Light that is Open to everyone ...Just acknowledge The Light...
 


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