Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/25/12

Words by F LoBuono

I recently posted on Facebook some thoughts regarding the comments made by Missouri Congressman Todd Akin. They were so egregious and outrageous that they became front page news. They were everywhere. Therefore, I believe it is unnecessary to repeat exactly what he said. I was, as I believe most Americans were, shocked not only by the insensitivity of the comments, but by the sheer ignorance of them.  PLEASE! We're talking about Biology 101 here!! Add in the fact that this man is in a position of power, and is looking to gain more, is downright frightening. As Representative Akin is a Republican, I challenged my Republican friends by "accusing" them of publicly denouncing him while still adhering to a political agenda that, in a sense, condones, if not downright supports, his basic premise. I defended my "accusation" by explaining that the presumptive Republican Vice Presidential Nominee, Paul Ryan, while publicly condemning Mr. Akin had, also, many times in the past, worked with him on legislation that would define legitimate rape. Legitimate rape? In addition, the day after I wrote the post, former Republican Governor and Fox News host, Mike Huckabee, not only defended Mr. Akin's comments, he actually endorsed him in his senate race!!  WTF?!

Well, it created a real shit storm.  People were passionate on both sides. One person even wanted to "de-friend" me! Some readers suggested that I stick with my "kinder, gentler" writing. But, as is always the case, I stand by what I wrote. I also see one of my missions in writing this blog as to act as agent provocateur.  I want to stimulate people out of lethargy and into action. I want them to think deeply.  And, more importantly, I want them to feel deeply. I want them to strip away the petty bullshit and get to the core of issues. And, sometimes, that means to agitate. It always reminds me of a story that I had heard about one of my personal heroes, Frederick Douglass. Mr. Douglass was walking down the steps of the Capitol one day when a young black man approached him and asked, "Mr. Douglass, how can I help the cause of my people".  To which, Mr. Douglass replied "agitate young man, agitate".

So, once again, in the spirit of Frederick Douglass, I agitate by posing this question, especially to those women who may be reading: how can you support a Political Party who, ultimately, would deprive you of the right to make decisions about what's best for your body? Because THIS is what this debate is really about. It's ultimately about abortion, morals, and basic civil rights. It's a about denying a woman's right (and, therefore, a human right) to choose. GOP politicians like Akin, Ryan, Huckabee, and Romeny would do just that. It's not about some yokel making idiotic comments about when and how women get pregnant.  Oh, no, it's much more than that.  It's about how they would impose their own moral values on a woman, and, therefore, on all of us. As a FREE American, this is unacceptable. And it's important that it's clear that, through this, I'm not supporting abortion, but, rather, I'm supporting choice! It's so simple: if you don't believe in abortion, don't have one!!! In a truly free society, when it comes to intensely personal and private matters, government has no right to interfere.

Most people in general, but Republicans in particular, feel this election is a referendum on our economy. I agree that it is, indeed, one of our most pressing concerns. So, they feel that our candidates should stick to that issue. But, again, I challenge them to go beyond what appears to me to be an unhealthy lust for wealth in the traditional sense, i.e. people having more money. However, there is more than one way to define wealth. It certainly does mean (as it should) that people, in a free market society, deserve to be rewarded for their efforts by being given the means to live a comfortable life. But HOW this is accomplished makes all the difference.

The GOP economic policy has been defined as trickle down economics. This method rewards the ultra-rich with incentives to make even more money so that they, in turn, will re-invest in our economy, stimulate job growth thereby creating more wealth for everyone. Well, I'm no economist but from what I have read there is overwhelming evidence that this certainly does not work. The rich just get richer and the poor, poorer, creating an even larger chasm between the "haves" and the "have nots" that is already too large in our Country! In addition, there are other ways of measuring so-called wealth. A society that values ALL of its citizens equally and gives ALL of its citizens every opportunity to live well should also be considered WEALTHY. Social issues truly define a society as either poor or wealthy. Therefore, whenever we elect a leader, they should represent the values that we hold most dear. And, to me, money is not one of those values but freedom of choice most certainly is. Therefore, they must be part of our debate.

A popular Republican mantra is to have a smaller and, therefore, less "intrusive" government.  Sure- when it comes to business. In this case, BIG BUSINESS gets cut all of the breaks and it is free to make untold profits. Some of it might even trickle down to the little guys. However, when it comes to social issues, they're all over us like a cheap suit. They would impose their moral values, their religion, their judgement upon all of us. This is less intrusive government? No, it is quite to the contrary. This is indeed unacceptable.

So, I ask everyone to search their very souls to look for the light of tolerance, acceptance, and compassion -from within these values lies TRUE freedom. When you find it, you'll know what to do  - VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/22/12

Words and Photo by F LoBuono

While participating in a heated, political debate on Facebook (I'm sure that most of you have been involved in one of THOSE, LOL!), a friend wrote this to me: how come your photography's so Zen and your politics so angry"?  My response is two-fold: First, my politics, in general, are not angry. I am, by nature, an easy-going person. I usually don't enjoy conflict. And I'd much rather laugh then cry. And this brings me to my second, and most important point, someone should never mistake compassion for weakness. My entire political platform is based on compassion. It is the fountainhead from which all my philosophy emanates - personal AND political. However, even a compassionate person has room for righteous indignation. And when it comes to today's political scene, I have plenty of that!!! In a sense, I only "hate" the "haters" and I won't be bullied. I've always been that way. As a kid, I never had a problem with standing up for what I believed in, even at the cost of my own well being. And I'm still the same way.

So, you haters out there, you'd better bring your "A" game if you want to cross swords with me - 'cause I'm certainly going to bring mine.

And have a NICE DAY!  :)

A HOT Night of COOL Jazz - on Remsen St,, Nyack, NY

Of course, you KNOW I had to go back. Back to Remsen St. and that incredible music. It was like running into Dizzy and Miles having fun on their front porch. And this time they had even MORE friends there, which meant even MORE music.  All with a raging, summer thunderstorm outside. It just doesn't get any better. It can't! Below, please find some photos that I made of them from last night's jam session. I'll try to let the photos tell the story this time. With Larry, Ring, Mike, and Janie.Cool, baby, cool.

STORM BREAK - Photos of the Day

These shots were made in sequence from the roof of the CBS Broadcast Center on W.57th St. in Manhattan. We had heavy rain and wind for most of the afternoon but the sky began to clear from the West, over New Jersey. It was still raining slightly when these were made.

All photos the property of F LoBuono

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/16/2012

Words and Photo by F LoBuono

OK. I'll admit it. I am a pampered American. The quality of my life is excellent. I have a good job. I eat well. I have a nice place to live. I have decent transportation. I own "things". Overall, I live well.  And, I believe that, if most Americans look at it with proper perspective, they would say the same thing. Despite what many naysayers would bemoan, we still have the highest standard of living on the planet. In fact, it could be argued that we are, indeed, spoiled by that fact. I believe that I am. This mindset manifests itself in small, almost indiscernible ways. For example, I know that if, when using one of the MANY computers I have access to (including two that I own), it takes more than 5 seconds to give me what I asked for, I'm pissed off! This is spoiled. Why? Because I've come to expect it to be faster. I take it for granted that it will be there when I want it to be there. This happens over and over again in our everyday lives. And this can cause us to forget how fortunate we are. There are MANY people in America and around the world who don't even have access to a computer, much less own one.

This concept was made clear to me this week. Because of certain changes in my life, I've had to alter my lifestyle. This included a change in residence. Fortunately, as a spoiled American, I had more than enough "things" to have made the transition fairly easily. And what I didn't have directly, my mother and sister donated. However, one thing that I did not have was a bed. I actually had a mattress (that I was within days of throwing away!) but no box spring or bed frame. Now, I'm not THAT spoiled! At least I HAD a mattress. I could just throw on the floor in the bedroom and sleep there. And I did - for weeks. No biggie. Been there. Done that. Then, about two weeks ago, my sister said to me, it's time to get off the floor. IKEA has some nice bed frames and box springs. Cheap. Let's go. So, last Saturday, my sister and I braved the barbarian horde found at IKEA on any given weekend, and bought me a box spring, bed frame, and night table - for $250! We done good. Over the next two days and taking 6 freakin' hours (a posting for another day), I assembled the set. Despite the Herculean effort to put it together, it was worth the effort. It looks great, and, better still, it FEELS great! I can't tell you how good it feels to get off the floor - LITERALLY and FIGURATIVELY! The box spring is a radical, Swedish design that, so far, has provided great support. And, mentally, it provided me with a sense of security; the apartment is complete. I sleep well ( at least for me!). I am safe. I am home.

At the same time, I took a moment to think of what it's really like to not sleep in a bed and of those whose who NEVER do. At various points in my life, I have had challenges like my most recent one. And, in the past, I've slept on couches, orange crates, pool tables, in cars, and, yes, even on mattresses on the floor (as well as the floor itself, LOL!). But these situations always proved to be temporary. I knew that they would be. However, there are those among us whose circumstance prevents them from sleeping on a nightly basis in their own beds. In fact, their situation is the polar opposite of mine. Where I always knew that my challenges were temporary - I would always eventually end up in my own bed - there are too many whose beds are temporary and know that, sooner or later, they will be back on the street.

This is unacceptable. EVERYONE deserves the safety and security of sleeping in their own bed. A good bed. A real bed. The first step in accomplishing this is awareness. So, when you slip under the covers of your comfortable, safe bed, take a moment to think of others who are not as fortunate. Think of the men, women, and children who lack even the most basic of human needs - a safe, warm bed. When you do, and commit to doing something about it, you'll sleep better. I did.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/15/12

Words and Photo by F LoBuono

For Karen

Courage. In most cultures, the word is usually associated with individuals who exhibit a defiance, if you will, in the face of great odds opposing them, usually at the risk of daunting physical peril. The man in Tiananmen Square in China ("Tank Man"), standing alone, ramrod straight, staring down a 40 ton tank, defiant, seemingly fearless, immortalized in a Pulitzer Prize winning photograph, serves as a class example of courage.  By the way, the man in the photo has never been identified. And, the photographer, Jeff Widener of the AP, also exhibited great courage by not only making that photo in the first place, but by then having to smuggle it out of a hostile and paranoid China.

These are most worthy examples. However, courage can be also be seen in many people and in many smaller, more subtle ways. Yet, it is just as worthy and inspirational. The same ethos displayed by "Tank Man" is applied every day, and, most often, in ways that can often be overlooked.

I had breakfast the other day with a childhood friend. I've known Karen for over 50 years. It was the first time I had seen her since the tragic, and horrific loss of her parents. I'll spare her the pain of discussing the details but write instead that the way they were lost is hard to even conceive. The circumstances behind their death could be seen as crushing.  That is, if you LET it. But she won't. She is determined not to! She is not immune to the pain, I see it in her eyes. But it is not the greater part of her. And it won't become so. She will not let their death define her life! She is doing everything she needs to do to heal - she is HERSELF. She has always been a thoughtful, giving person, with a biting and acerbic wit. This has NOT changed. Her Facebook postings continue. And they don't dwell on her pain, hurt, and anger (although in private conversation she does not shy away from discussing them). No. They are, instead, filled with the wit and insight that she has always displayed. She is, in a sense, starring down her 40 ton tank, without flinching. I think that she understand that TIME does heal. But she will not WASTE it, either. This, my friends, is courage.

Most of us will not be in situations like "Tank Man" and, so, will are left wondering would we be, could we be, as courageous as he? It's much more likely that we will be confronted with the more ordinary challenges (although Karen's situation is really anything but "ordinary") that life provides us on a daily basis. If we refuse to allow adversity to define us, if we have courage in the face of our trials, as Karen does, we will be worthy human beings - as Karen most certainly is.  Thank you, Karen, for teaching us our Moment of Zen.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/11/12

Larry and Rang 
Words and Photo by F LoBuono

My friends often tease me by calling me the real mayor of Nyack. Of course, I am not! They say it because I'm always extolling the virtues of this tiny, Hudson River hamlet. But I can't help myself. I've loved this town from the very first moment I set foot in it. I've written about that first encounter previously here and in other venues. It was magic then and, fortunately, nearly 30 years later, it still is. After 6 years away, living about 10 miles up the River (literally, not figuratively!  LOL), I have returned to the place where I have always belonged - and still do.

In addition to it's physical beauty, and Nyack IS beautiful, it's the attitude of the place that is one of it's strongest assets. Simply put, the people here give a shit for how and why they live. This creates community in the truest sense of the word. This, in turn, fosters an openness, a freedom of thought and lifestyle that should be the envy of every community. So, what's not to like? Sure, it's not perfect. There's crime. There's racial tension. There's crappy parking (LOL). But, because of it's openness, it's acceptance of most things and people, Nyack never ceases to be a place of wonderment for me. Last night was a classic example.

Most readers of this blog are familiar with what has become a Friday night ritual for me: on my way home from my shift at CBS in NYC, I stop at the River Club for a libation, i.e. a Canadian Club Manhattan. I've stolen a line from The Three Stooges and call it a nip'n' tuck - one nip and they tuck me away! Anyway, Pete, the bartender, makes it perfectly and usually has my glass chilling for my arrival. It has agreeable food. a spectacular view, and good music. So, again, and without making this a commercial for the RC, I ask: what's not to like? I had gotten out of work a little early which allowed me to leave my car at my apartment so I could walk there. I'm only about 5 or 6 blocks away. And I love to walk, especially in this town. Besides, if I walk there I can safely stagger back LOL! Despite the threat of thunderstorms, I grabbed my Panama hat from my apartment and off I went. When I arrived, Pete was stocking some stuff in the back and not at the bar, so the very capable Neil whipped me up my nip and tuck. A good friend, and a VERY talented musician, Tim O'Donahue, was at the mic, doing his thing, much to the delight of the patrons. With the risk of sounding trite, it was delightful.

I finished my libation and a half (I can't do two, I wouldn't be able to even stagger home! LOL). I said my good byes and made way for the door and my walk home. I started up the long hill that leads from the RC and onto Main St. where I thought I'd make a round before reaching my final destination - it was Friday night, after all! I got about half way up the hill when I heard this delightful, "live" music coming from a screened-in porch on the next block. Like a child in The Pied Piper children's story, I was led by that sound to that porch. I stood across the street and just soaked in the scene. It was two black men playing conga drums to some very cool jazz. And they were cooking!! One of them saw me standing there and yelled out that he really like my Panama hat. I gave him a thumbs up in return. Then he yelled back, come on in, man. You are welcome. I didn't hesitate for a second and joined them on their cluttered porch. Without breaking stride, they welcomed me to their home and shared their music. One of the men must have been around my age and was clean-shaven. The other man was slightly older with a long, grey goatee. He was also wearing a Panama hat and remarked, again without breaking stride, how much he liked mine. After the first song, they stopped for a second to introduce themselves - Larry and Rang. We shook hands and I told them how thrilled I was to be there. They started to play another tune when the younger man took out his flute and jammed with the older man who was still playing the conga. And they COOKED!!! I couldn't believe that I was there. It was impromptu, so unexpected, and so WONDERFUL. We were all laughing, smiling, enjoying.

After the song, I hugged them both. They were wet with sweat from the exertion. I didn't care. I thought that my face would break from smiling so much and so broadly! What a privilege it was to be allowed into their world, even for a few minutes. I thanked them profusely and made why back to the street to finish staggering home. It was nearly 2 a.m. They serenaded me back to the street, their music carrying me the rest of the way up the steep hill until I couldn't hear them anymore.

Nyack is full of wonderment like that. That's why I love it. But we all should put ourselves in a place to find it. Because you never know where, or when, you may will.

Look for the wonderment.  It is all around us.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/10/12

Words and photo by F LoBuono

It's such a simple thing; wine and peaches - hearty, red, Italian wine mixed with sweet, fresh, summer peaches. And I love it. But I love it for more than just the way it refreshes me on a hot summer's evening. I love it because it reminds me of my father.

Growing up in an Italian/Sicilian household, wine was almost always on our dinner table. As is the case with most Italian families, we were not big "drinkers" but wine (and beer) was always available. Even children could have a bit of wine (usually mixed with some club soda) with their meals. It was part of our culture. In the late summer, my father would use our love of wine to make us a special treat. Local peaches were in abundance - lush, ripe with sweet juice and practically bursting with flavor. And NO ONE could pick fruit better than my father! I think he inherited that wonderful skill from his father who was a produce merchant. He would look. He would feel. He would smell, rejecting this one, picking that one. And he was never wrong  - about fruit anyway LOL! He'd go to the local market and pick out a bushel. He'd remove the pits and cut them into quarters. Then, he'd get what I affectionately call good, guinea red wine and filled a pitcher or large container with it. He then placed the sliced peaches into the wine and put both into the refrigerator. Now, the key was to resist the urge to get to that divine elixir for at least 24 hours. My old man said that the mixture needed that long, or longer, to marinate. In fact, the longer it sat undisturbed, the tastier it would get. The sweetness from the peaches would effect the dry taste of the wine, and the alcohol from the wine would penetrate the peaches.

I could hardly wait for my first serving! Poured into a large glass with ice, it was important to get some of the peaches into the glass along with the wine. What a delightful marriage of flavors it had become! I guess that you could call it Sicilian Sangria. It was so refreshing that I had to resist the urge to down the glass with a single gulp. And after you finished the wine in the glass, you still had a special treat left to enjoy: the peaches. From absorbing the wine, they had turned from a bright yellow color to burgundy. The wine had also mellowed their flavor, infusing it with a touch of alcohol. And, of course, as the peaches had absorbed the alcohol, after you ate them, so did you! Now I understand why I could still feel the effects of the wine long after I had finished drinking it and eating the peaches. Delicious!

But I think that the best part of all was watching my father's face when we drank a glass. He would so enjoy the fact that he had made something that you saw as special. If you loved it, then HE loved it. And it was all SO simple. Yet, I thought it was one of the world's great delicacies. That was all that mattered to him.

Well, the other day, at the local farmer's market in town, one of the merchants was selling fresh, local peaches. Another merchant was selling local, hearty, red wine. Well, what's a Sicilian boy to do? Of course, I bought some peaches. I bought some wine. I got the urge and, presto, you know what is now marinating in the frig!

But, there's more. Even though the timing is right (late summer, peaches, etc.), I don't know what prompted me to make it this week rather than last week or next. Well, it just struck me like a bullet - this week marks the 25th anniversary of my father's death. Uncanny. I didn't really THINK about making it - I FELT it. He IS alive. He is in my thoughts even when I'm not thinking about him. His spiritual presence is always with me, even when I'm not aware of it. It is found in the simplest of things - like wine and peaches.

Look for the wonderment. It is all around us.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/9/12

Words and photo by F LoBuono

A new day has dawned. It has all the potential to be a great one. What will we make of it? The choice is ours.

Let the sunshine into your home, your head, and your heart. Be a joy to others - and YOURSELF. Commit to kindness and you will be rewarded - ten fold! Yes, it is that simple.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/8/12

Words and photo: F LoBuono

Most people are familiar with the saying, the end justifies the means. It's generally applied in situations where a positive conclusion is achieved despite the use of tactics that may be seen as less than "honorable". The implication is that doing ultimate good is more important than exactly how it was accomplished. However, there is a fine line there. It can certainly can be argued that HOW we perceive a positive result IS affected by the means with which we used to achieve it. You would do ANYTHING but, perhaps, compromise, to achieve your goal.

With this in mind, I'd like to introduce a new word to the American lexicon: Accomplomise. Let's describe it as a "kinder, gentler" way of getting to the same point. I came about it quite by accident. I was trying to make a point with my wife, Cat, about how important it was to me to simply get shit done! People waste too much time by digging in their heels about things that are just not that important. Sure, we should never compromise our core principals but everything else is negotiable. Life is way to short to be haggling over crap that, in the bigger picture, means so little. As is usually the case, I was getting way to worked-up and was starting to babble. At some point, my brain is just moving way too fast for my tongue. When this happens, my body seems to have this "defense mechanism" which allows my speech to catch up with my head by simply combining words that have never been done so before. This is one example. I meant to say that,we can only accomplish things through compromise when that got condensed into we need to accomplomise. After Cat pointed out my blunder and we both had a brief chuckle over it, I began to rephrase my statement. Cat stopped me and said, No. Why don't you use it just like that. In a way, it really makes sense. And I listened to her (I ALWAYS listen to my wife LOL LOL LOL). I've been using it ever since because it DOES make sense.

This term could certainly be used to address what's happening in this country today. Unfortunately, we have become so fractured and so intractable that no one seems to be willing to give anything up to anybody. How can we ACCOMPLISH anything if no one is willing to give as well as take? And this is happening with issues from the greatest to the smallest. Our politics are rife with this attitude. All it ultimately leads to is paralysis - which is pretty much where we stand today.

Because we are all individuals, we all have a point of view. It's reasonable to have that point of view reflect what's best for you. However, in order to succeed , to move forward, we must be wiling to look beyond ourselves, beyond our own POV, and accept those of others. This is only done through compromise.  And, if we wish to accomplish anything with our lives and truly move forward, it's the only way. ACCOMPLOMISE.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/6/12

Words and photo by F LoBuono


                     Where there is love, there is always hope.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/5/12

Words and Photo: F LoBuono

It seems to happen every year. Summer flies by in the blink of an eye. It's been a hot one, too. The hottest in recent memory. And there's still plenty of that wonderful, sticky, hot, hazy, humid weather left to go! But, at the same time, it fills me with a sense of melancholy, too. Despite occasionally feeling like I've been covered by a wet dish rag, I love the summer. It's just so alive. People are out, kids are playing, the air is filled with laughter. Fierce and spectacular thunderstorms puncture the stale and stifling atmosphere. But summer only lasts for a short time. It, like all things, has it's time, it's season. It is ephemeral. As is life. The song Turn, Turn, Turn, based on a biblical passage in the Book of Ecclesiastes (3:1), written by Pete Seager and popularized by The Birds, says it best: to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.


I'd like to think that I'm still in the summer of my life.  But, realistically, it is late summer. At this time of the year, as summer inexorably reaches its end, I am reminded of my own need for urgency - summer IS waning! The fullness, the richness of summer will soon be replaced by the beautiful, but more subdued, fall. And I'm not ready yet! But, summer WILL end, replaced by fall, to be replaced by winter, etc. It IS the never ending cycle of life. I always wish that, when I feel like this, there was something that I could write, a phrase I might turn, that would alter, or at least slow, the process. Unfortunately, I don't have that power. And I don't believe that ANYONE, even the mightiest writer, does. No. There must be a resolution, a surrender of sorts, to fate. There must be an acceptance. And when you let go through acceptance, you find peace. The peace of Zen. 

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/4/12

Words and Photo by F LoBuono

I'm constantly extolling the virtues of walking. It's rare for me to get tired while walking and I absolutely NEVER get bored with it! It's simply the best way to experience any place - town or country. You see. You hear. You smell. All senses are (or should be!) working. Your heart is pumping. Your muscle fibers are flexing. Your head is processing. If you allow yourself, you become one with everything around you. It's good for the head. It's good for the heart. It's good for the soul. And, now, it's even good for the pocket! While crossing a street on my way into town, I found this dollar bill waiting for me in the middle of the street. Sure, it's only a dollar, but you know the saying, a dollar found is a dollar earned! Or is it a penny? Whatever. It's more than I had with me when I started walking!

So, I'm gonna' keep that dollar. It's going to bring me luck and truly good fortune. It has to. It's ZEN.

Today's MOMENT OF ZEN 8/2/12

Words and Photo by F LoBuono

As is my custom, I was taking my morning passegiata to the Farmer's Market held here every Thursday. Fresh, local peaches are in season and I was going to snag my share.  Sweet corn is also available - another "not to miss" item. Plus, I was feeling a little down, a little sorry for myself this morning. Perhaps you've noticed in some of my posts that I've been through an awful lot lately.  For reasons too personal and complicated to share now, I found it hard to get out of bed this morning. I knew a walk into town, especially for some delicious, local fruit and produce, usually helps to get me out of that funk. I just needed to get my ass in gear and do it! After jerking around on this damned computer for a good portion of the early morning, I got my "s" together, grabbed a sack for the goods, and headed out the door and downtown.

It took a bit, but with each stride, I felt a little better.  The sun was hot and the air not too humid - yet! And there are always the distractions of sight, sound, and smell. I could feel my mood lifting. The Market was wonderful - filled with lots of LOCAL goods of all kinds. The local winery was even there and I bought a bottle of "Black Dirt Red" - at $10/bottle, a great deal.

But I was still not completely out of my funk. I still could feel that knot in my stomach, caused by thinking AND feeling too much. Then, as I was walking back to my apartment, I saw a man crossing the street, who, obviously, recognized a friend walking on the other side. The first man yelled, hi, rabbi! (I'm not sure if that was an official title or just a term of affection). The second acknowledged him with a how ya' doin'? To which he replied, if I was doing any better, I'd have wings! Believe it or not, I had never heard that one before: if I was doing any better, I'd have wings! I thought to myself, my god, that's were I want to be. That's were I NEED to be.


Anyway, it helped to further lift my mood. I'm almost there.  I just need to keep saying to myself, if I was doing any better, I'd have wings! It works. Truly, the power of positive thinking. Perhaps you should try it too!!