True Story

July 8th, 2008

There are no accidents…

Sometimes I get frustrated workin’ the day job, you know? I get into NYC a few days a week, and occasionally I wonder what I’m doing there. In my mind, I’d rather be anywhere else but there at that moment. But, I can’t be anywhere else than where I am, so why do I fight it so.

“A Course in Miracles” teaches that you are always exactly where you are supposed to be at any given moment. In that moment you’re either an agent for healing and peace, or an agent of attack. It’s your choice every moment to offer lillies or swords. Our freedom to make that choice is our only true freedom left in this world.

Now on to the true story.

I was walking down 26th street zig-zagging my way to 23rd street. Normally I would cut through Madison Square Park. But, for reasons unbeknownst to me at the time, I decided to walk straight up 26th street (a much less picturesque walk).

I crossed Madison Avenue, and in the bustle I accidently bumped into a very muscular and menacing looking African American man. Our arms slammed into each other; and when they did, his glasses fell out of his hand. I immediately apologized. He was about my height and age, and visibly upset, but he quickly picked up his glasses and went on his way.

I resumed my walk, and within moments I could see him out of the corner of my mind, coming up quickly behind me. Now, I usually get jittery when even a bug lands on me - so you’d think I’d be pretty scared right about now. But that’s the wild thing about this - I was overcome by this extremely peaceful feeling and remembered to offer no resistance.

He was breathing heavily and trying to say something, but he couldn’t get it out. He was pointing to his glasses. One of the lenses had broken in the fall. He was trying so hard not to freak out and I think he was expecing a confrontation, but I told him not to worry. “We’ll take care of it”, I said.

He kept breathing deeply to calm himself down. It took some time. He was really trying not to go crazy on me. I just held the space for him and asked him his name. “John”, he said. “I need a lensecrafters now”. So we sat on a bench and we used my cell to call his eye doctor on Jerome Avenue in the Bronx. The lense would be $75 dollars to fix. I told him I’d give him $100 - just in case there were any taxes or other issues, then we started waling over to the bank.

He started to loosen up and we got to talking. He asked me if I was “in school” like him. I asked him if he went to Baruch College since it was nearby. “No”, he said. “The Court tells me I’ve got to go to school for ‘anger management’. So I’ve been going to this school just over there.” He pointed uptown, ” I just came from class”.

I smiled a big smile and chuckled, “Man, that class is working great! Look how everything worked out! You needed something and it came right to you without a fight. This has to be some kind of Divine test for both of us.”

“Yea”, he smiled too. “My teacher’s gonna love hearing this one”.

We walked through the park and he picked a flower. “I’m on my way home to see my girlfriend”. After a pause, he said, “I don’t always treat my girlfriend nice. I need to do better. After all of these years I just get tired of the same girl every day, you know what I mean?”

“That’s the challenge” I told him. “It sure ain’t easy sometimes”. Then I went into the bank and got him some money. I gave it to him and we talked a little longer. Then he gave me a big hug and walked off with a smile. Before he could get too far I shouted, “Be well! And don’t forget to be good to that girl!”

That’s the best $100 bucks I ever spent.

No accidents… Praise God and Amen.

Peace,
Joe