I accidentally subscribed to your Substack. I was about to unsubscribe when I decided to read a few of your posts. And wow! I love your perspective and how you look at situations. Your writing gave me things to ponder and apply to my own life. Sometimes chance/life/God has a way of putting us on an interesting path.
Thank you, Terence. I find myself doing something very similar. When I'm around something that makes me uncomfortable I pause and encourage myself not to run, not to look away. This helps me to sit in the discomfort and get to know it. Understand the why. Have compassion for the discomfort and then transform it to curiosity and care. I appreciate your questions and your insights. Thank you for sharing.
Your suggestion of analyzing a situation with the seven whys is brilliant. I just stumbled upon and subscribed. Your words move me deeply. The innate dignity of all living things must thrive.
Wow! Thank you for this reminder. It’s as easy as remembering “God is love” People need to see and feel HIS love and we need to be His vessels for that! Enjoyed the read this morning!
A “like” reading and think you are a concerned human being Dr. Terence Lester. Keep up your work, the dignified journey, and God will continue blessing your upward mobility.
Just the other day I was in Dunkin’ Donuts, while I felt I was being ignored with several the sales clerk were buzzing the around like a Mary-go-round the counter and the drive-through window. I was waiting to be served ice cream, feeling a little perturbed, anxious, and annoyed.
I noticed to my right a homeless seemingly Latin guy roaming up and down, circling the store, gawking at production and customers almost with a disquieted silent disposition for what I later realized he had no money, no support system and wanted anyone attentive enough to his situation to give him some money or a purchase.
He attempted to inquire of someyhing but was vague and unclear. I told him I didn't work at the dunkin’ Donuts but was waiting to be served too. He gestured a bit, walking away with the facial grimace of disappointment, and lack written across his contorted face as if he had just finished smoking crack.
I initially felt unkind about his situation, not giving a damn as you explained about the homeless character in your essay. How the restaurant people repulsively stared at him with furrowed brows and “oh, what the hell we got here?” As if he didn't belong in the restaurant from the get-go.
After a feeling of guilt, anxiety, and failure from the inner man as though I had failed God when I could have been used to help someone who had fallen into the cracks of colonization and capitalism.
I decided to exercise good faith and higher good. I reached into my pocket for some money to offer this homeless Latin man. He smiled! I noticed and I realized he was a case of mental illness.
Finally, you're so right Dr. Terence Lester, we as an American Society have lost the dignity that binds a community and Nation from the sin of American culture amnesia and mental illness.
Thank you, Caroline. I’m truly grateful for your honesty and willingness to expand your compassion and understanding. It’s a journey for all of us, and your openness is a powerful step forward.
I very much appreciate the fact that you have given me a beautiful gift of remembrance. Your words hold a deeply personal place in my day today, remembering my own brief homelessness.
I’m so grateful I stumbled upon you through a restack! You are brilliant at this Adulting thing!! I appreciate you more than words could possibly convey. 🙏🫵💪
I accidentally subscribed to your Substack. I was about to unsubscribe when I decided to read a few of your posts. And wow! I love your perspective and how you look at situations. Your writing gave me things to ponder and apply to my own life. Sometimes chance/life/God has a way of putting us on an interesting path.
Thank you for being here now, and thank you for reading my words 🙏🏾
Thank you, Terence. I find myself doing something very similar. When I'm around something that makes me uncomfortable I pause and encourage myself not to run, not to look away. This helps me to sit in the discomfort and get to know it. Understand the why. Have compassion for the discomfort and then transform it to curiosity and care. I appreciate your questions and your insights. Thank you for sharing.
Your suggestion of analyzing a situation with the seven whys is brilliant. I just stumbled upon and subscribed. Your words move me deeply. The innate dignity of all living things must thrive.
Wow! Thank you for this reminder. It’s as easy as remembering “God is love” People need to see and feel HIS love and we need to be His vessels for that! Enjoyed the read this morning!
A “like” reading and think you are a concerned human being Dr. Terence Lester. Keep up your work, the dignified journey, and God will continue blessing your upward mobility.
Just the other day I was in Dunkin’ Donuts, while I felt I was being ignored with several the sales clerk were buzzing the around like a Mary-go-round the counter and the drive-through window. I was waiting to be served ice cream, feeling a little perturbed, anxious, and annoyed.
I noticed to my right a homeless seemingly Latin guy roaming up and down, circling the store, gawking at production and customers almost with a disquieted silent disposition for what I later realized he had no money, no support system and wanted anyone attentive enough to his situation to give him some money or a purchase.
He attempted to inquire of someyhing but was vague and unclear. I told him I didn't work at the dunkin’ Donuts but was waiting to be served too. He gestured a bit, walking away with the facial grimace of disappointment, and lack written across his contorted face as if he had just finished smoking crack.
I initially felt unkind about his situation, not giving a damn as you explained about the homeless character in your essay. How the restaurant people repulsively stared at him with furrowed brows and “oh, what the hell we got here?” As if he didn't belong in the restaurant from the get-go.
After a feeling of guilt, anxiety, and failure from the inner man as though I had failed God when I could have been used to help someone who had fallen into the cracks of colonization and capitalism.
I decided to exercise good faith and higher good. I reached into my pocket for some money to offer this homeless Latin man. He smiled! I noticed and I realized he was a case of mental illness.
Finally, you're so right Dr. Terence Lester, we as an American Society have lost the dignity that binds a community and Nation from the sin of American culture amnesia and mental illness.
Thank you
I subscribed to expand my compassion and understanding in an area where I struggle.
Thank you, Caroline. I’m truly grateful for your honesty and willingness to expand your compassion and understanding. It’s a journey for all of us, and your openness is a powerful step forward.
I very much appreciate the fact that you have given me a beautiful gift of remembrance. Your words hold a deeply personal place in my day today, remembering my own brief homelessness.
https://open.substack.com/pub/emilyalexandraguglielmo/p/the-meaning-of-god?r=2mtps5&utm_medium=ios
I’m so grateful I stumbled upon you through a restack! You are brilliant at this Adulting thing!! I appreciate you more than words could possibly convey. 🙏🫵💪