Author: d.j. posner

On a recent short-turnaround visit made to New York City to honor our best friends’ milestone wedding anniversary, we woke the next morning to a picture perfect day with the temperature lingering around 78 degrees and a light westerly breeze blowing through the avenues. This, of course, is unheard of in the month of August for the City That Never Sleeps.

Thoughts running through our heads as to what we might get into, our native New Yorker anniversary bride spoke up and said “Why don’t we walk The High Line?” The High Line ~ what’s that? Well, let me share with you some details of this marvelous elevated linear park created on a former New York Central Railroad spur located on the west-side of Manhattan.

The High Line, built on a historic freight line, is more than just a park – it is a public space set forth for the enjoyment of both the residents of the City as well as tourists. You can view art, walk-through wildflower gardens, experience live musical performances all enjoyed from a unique elevated perspective.

Walking the High Line was an experience so astounding to me that I would like to deliver this adventure to you in an upcoming four-series post. I will publish my exposition every Saturday for the next four weeks! Stay tuned this Saturday as I begin writing on this wonderful topic. It is a fascinating story as to how this world-class city came to re-purposing its industrial infrastructure into a beautiful city park.

Life used to be a gentleman’s game. There was a certain dignity that existed; a respectability that was taught to children, to soldiers, to young mothers and to our society as a whole. Today’s lack of such stateliness is bringing a pall over our civility.

I am not a great thinker, but I try to surround myself with them. I can not help but think of our founding fathers and the principals that they set forth. We have deviated so far from that framework, I wonder if we will ever get back in my lifetime.

The world that my granddaughter inherits is far different from the world than I inherited from my post-World War II parents. Yes, the world that was passed down to my generation worked at changing mindsets as the Age of Aquarius broke down barriers. But I believe fiercely that my generation brought about change without the harsh, rude and divisive behavior that we see today.

I don’t know how we go about fixing this tragedy that we are living today. As a writer, I hope by my offering a voice over such ungentlemanly and unladylike behavior it will help bring to the forefront a desperate need for change so that our children’s children will succeed as they should.

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‘Drop by drop washes a mountain away!’ – Lottie Fundulis

It started as a beautiful day in March 1996 on a California beach, surfer Jesse Billauer, days away from turning pro, caught a glorious wave that in turn hit him hard. The wave, in perfect form, picked up this energetic surfer and let him ride, until the wave tired of him, then as quickly as the wave picked him up, it deposited him onto the ocean bottom where a rogue sandbar was waiting. That day, 17-year old Jesse fractured his C-6 vertebrae, a spinal cord injury that rendered him paralyzed.

But Jesse’s story does not end here as one might think that it would. Years later, Jesse returned to the sea, ‘Seeking’ he said ‘for the exhilarating freedom I used to experience.’ With the help of his friends, one who built him a suitable board, Jesse began riding once again.

Skip forward to 2001, Jesse dove into another sea of unknown, he launched an initiative so that others living with a disability might know the same rapture that he felt. Life Rolls On is a non-profit organization formed for the sole reason to improve the quality of life for those living with various disabilities. Hosting umpteen events throughout the year, Jesse’s mission is reaching hundreds of people stricken with all sorts of neurological disorders. That, I say, is a powerful outreach!

The ‘power being in the perspective, not the circumstance’.

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Jesse says, “A wave is like a canvas, you can paint your description of how you’re feeling at that moment… Each time I get in the water, I feel cleansed of everything else going on. It’s beautiful, just beautiful.”

https://liferollson.org/jesse-billauer

To be successful in life, you have to believe in karma, it forges intregity.

Recognized in age old teachings of Hinduism and Buddhism, karma is the spiritual principle of cause and effect. Not much different from Newton’s Law, ‘every action must have an equal and opposite reaction’. When ever we speak or act we initiate a force that will react accordingly. Simply put, ‘getting what you give’, or, as my grandmother used to say “You reap what you sow!”

This story is meant to bring some focus to good karmic living, and I hope by doing so I become more enlightened, and you, too. I researched the laws of this principal, and I must say I really like the below list! If we can all try to live by these few moral laws, we will have propagated a surge towards the return of decency and diplomacy in our society.

1. Become a thankful person.
2. Meet each person and encounter with honesty.
3. Volunteer or be in service to others.
4. Take care of the lonely and forgotten people, old and young.
5. Stop malicious gossiping.
6. Spread light and positivity wherever you go.

So, folks, in a quest to better our world and gain some better karma for yourselves, begin with this thought:

Each Day, One Good Deed.

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“Thoughts lead us to our purpose; our purpose put us in action; our actions form habits; our habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny.” – Tryon Edwards

I sometimes wonder if other women think like me. This story is about what I believe is a common flaw found in many women today.

Do you ever slip into judging your peer? I think most of us can – and do – given certain circumstances and conditions. It’s in our DNA to compare our lives, our loves, and our future side by side to that of a friend. And, often comparisons turn into judgement, which is unfortunate and rarely ends well. Most times, these turns are not intentional, but because we are human – it happens.

Living without judgement is about mutual respect & regard. When viewing or interacting with another woman look for mutual values, and frankly, learn to mind your own business! By not allowing any passive/aggressive exchanges to fly off the cuff, a way will be paved in forming an attitude of trying not to change one another.

To succeed in growing this seed, find those women who are committed to your happiness; ones who offer you the encouragement to live the life you want and were meant to live. Choose the ones who do not ask you to invest your precious time in their drama.

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I would like to be known as an intelligent woman, a courageous woman, a loving woman, a woman who teaches by being. — Maya Angelou

Finally, The sunshine has returned and sanity has been restored to the Suncoast. So for my reward, this little island gave me some sugar!

Bye Bye rain and thunderstorms, where ever you are headed, I hope you are kind to my neighbors!