It was a Sunday in early December a few years ago and I was out helping homeless women, as per my project. I noticed a homeless woman on the downtown platform of a cavernous NYC subway station. She was standing directly in front of an empty wooden bench, apparently facing the bench with a massive plastic bag over her hair (I assumed she had dreadlocks beneath).
I was working in a tiny library in New England years ago nursing a broken heart. Rocket, one of the two local homeless men would often come in to read. I adored him. I’d never shared much about my personal life and on a particularly difficult day he walked up to the counter and said, “In order to avoid a broken heart, you simply always remain in love”, and walked away. Pure magic. It’s a phrase I’ve repeated to myself and others many times.
Yeah. Rocket was a real life saver to me during a shitty time. He’s been the most important of a few street mystics I’ve been blessed to share time with.
“ the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls” ha ha ha I love that!! now I have music in my head. I haven’t read your article yet, but had to comment on that.
Thank you, Matthieu...you just made me remember two things.
Firstly, of course, this: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Secondly, perhaps I need to remain open that I could see Theodora anywhere on any 29th. And...what about every four years when there's a Feb. 29? Hmm...
I feel compelled to encourage you to remain open to this no matter how much time passes. I think we can lose special blessings if we don’t persevere in some situations.
She never did give a month or year, and time doesn’t matter to angels or God, so...
Isn't it strange, that sometimes we meet exactly the people we need at a certain moment? I do not believe in coincidences. I think what we call so are pinpoints of the ONe.
Thanx for sharing, Micky. My deceased younger brother(suicide) was homeless a lot of his latter life. I discovered that the "community" is quite variable in its set of circumstances. A few made a lot of tax-free money because they were good at panhandling. But mostly, IMO, they are the detritus that capitalism spits out; the ones incapable of following the "rules". The leftovers; as we cooks used to have to deal with when running the back-house of a restaurant. The "daily specials", repurposed to see another glorious day. Peace All
Thanks, John. Indeed, I've learned a lot about the life from the woman I've helped and gotten to know. I could go on for pages about the official "system" set up to "help" them.
Think about how we lived before civilization. We did not live by timetables and paychecks and constrained, alienated lives. And some people have not been able to consistently adapt and live within a "modern" framework. I think of the many indigenous peoples who have never been able to adapt to the craziness Euro-Americans think is normal. There's a book about the "Four Mollies," four indigenous women talking about how life was in Maine, like spending the summer camping on the river, swimming, fishing, canoeing. Yes, sometimes life was hard during the hungry months, but is life better now?
I had a strange experience when I was in Los Angeles where a roommate mentioned that she met a woman who appeared to be homeless but seemed to "know things." She said the woman mentioned me, said, "You have a roommate who plays guitar..." It was odd and my roommate believed this homeless woman was an angel of some sort.
Shortly after, I saw this same woman! I was on a bus and made eye contact with this homeless woman and as a reflex quickly turned away. (In LA, I was often harassed by homeless people, and even though I care about them I learned to not make eye contact and be careful to get too close as some would get aggressive.)
Anyhow, I saw, as I turned away, the look in her eyes. It was a look of disappointment, disapproval, as though to say, "You haven't your life lesson yet, have you?"
I've been told that I'm not very trusting of other people and saw this as a lesson. I think I was supposed to look at this person and start up a conversation. Maybe she had something important to tell me. Maybe she was an angel. Her eyes were just as my roommate described them--very clear and knowing, not like that of a typical homeless person who is oppressed and defeated. It was as though she were an undercover angel dressed up as a homeless person just to see how people would react to her.
I had a lot of strange experiences when I lived in Hollyweird, and this was one of them. I often think of this memory... Of course, due to my political activism, I sometimes wonder whether she was an undercover cop too... LOL! But that is probably just my mistrust showing itself again.
With so many people falling for this proposed totalitarianism, I no longer feel able to become a more trusting person, but I know that perhaps in some situations, it might be helpful to try...
One interesting thing about being homeless is that it gives you freedom to really think outside the box. After all, you are outside the box of "normal" life. Sometimes even the seemingly craziest of homeless people can have wisdom to share, just from observing the world as an outsider. I found that out when I was working on my documentary on homelessness.
Oh I love this! I’d love a meeting with Theodora!
I was working in a tiny library in New England years ago nursing a broken heart. Rocket, one of the two local homeless men would often come in to read. I adored him. I’d never shared much about my personal life and on a particularly difficult day he walked up to the counter and said, “In order to avoid a broken heart, you simply always remain in love”, and walked away. Pure magic. It’s a phrase I’ve repeated to myself and others many times.
💖💖💖💖
Thank you for sharing Rocket's wisdom, Gabrielle!
That’s awesome Gabrielle❤️
Wow, i read his wise words about love and INSTANTLY started crying 😭 Thank you for sharing!!!
Yeah. Rocket was a real life saver to me during a shitty time. He’s been the most important of a few street mystics I’ve been blessed to share time with.
Both, You Mickey, & Theodora, Are Earth's, Delicate Beauties...
Testimonies 2 He,
The Eternal.
Amen.
& Graci'...
Duo.
Thank you, Paul...and thank you for your kind, kind donation. You are a role model of generosity! 🙏
“ the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls” ha ha ha I love that!! now I have music in my head. I haven’t read your article yet, but had to comment on that.
Mickey, you are such a beautiful soul. Thank you for the difference you making this world.
Thank you, Fayanne! I genuinely try my best and it has rewarded me with so many blessings. 💖
My heart is bursting. Thank you for sharing Mickey.
Thank YOU for such a response and for donating, Susan! 💖
I do believe we can “entertain angels unawares.” If I were you, I’d be looking for her the 29th of every month!
This story is a blessing. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Matthieu...you just made me remember two things.
Firstly, of course, this: "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Secondly, perhaps I need to remain open that I could see Theodora anywhere on any 29th. And...what about every four years when there's a Feb. 29? Hmm...
I feel compelled to encourage you to remain open to this no matter how much time passes. I think we can lose special blessings if we don’t persevere in some situations.
She never did give a month or year, and time doesn’t matter to angels or God, so...
🙏
Thank you for that reminder, my friend. 🙏
Mickey,
I think Your Piece Exemplifiers, The Larger Essence of Giving.
(Yes yes, People need food, shelter, etc.)
But there is A Magic, A Moment, of Transference & Deep Concentration & Passage, That Is Communicated, WithIn These Tender Moments.
This Energy Supplied,
Is Both
Sustaining,
& Abiding.
And, Flows, Betwixt & Between, Sender---Receiver,
& Filters back, hence.
YOU CAPTURED
ALL THAT
& THE MOOR...
...IN & WITHIN,
YOUR CLASSICAL TELL.
Kudos.
To ALL !
"The Time, I Met..."
WithIn, The Theatred...
Citied, LIFE...
UN-BOUND !
Thank you for SEEING, Paul. I'm grateful to have met you.
& I YOU.
It Works Both Ways.
This I KNOW You Know,
Evidenced, In Your Work.
HAVE A WONDEROUS DAY !
Likewise, my friend!
Very inspiring!
Thank you, my friend. I love when I share such stories and they resonate with others.
tears. in. eyes. Divinely Blessed and guided, no doubt. thank you for sharing. angels abound...
Thank you, as always, Malika... 🙏💖🙏
Isn't it strange, that sometimes we meet exactly the people we need at a certain moment? I do not believe in coincidences. I think what we call so are pinpoints of the ONe.
Thank you, Ingrid. 💕
💗💗💗
💗💗💗
Thanx for sharing, Micky. My deceased younger brother(suicide) was homeless a lot of his latter life. I discovered that the "community" is quite variable in its set of circumstances. A few made a lot of tax-free money because they were good at panhandling. But mostly, IMO, they are the detritus that capitalism spits out; the ones incapable of following the "rules". The leftovers; as we cooks used to have to deal with when running the back-house of a restaurant. The "daily specials", repurposed to see another glorious day. Peace All
Thanks, John. Indeed, I've learned a lot about the life from the woman I've helped and gotten to know. I could go on for pages about the official "system" set up to "help" them.
Think about how we lived before civilization. We did not live by timetables and paychecks and constrained, alienated lives. And some people have not been able to consistently adapt and live within a "modern" framework. I think of the many indigenous peoples who have never been able to adapt to the craziness Euro-Americans think is normal. There's a book about the "Four Mollies," four indigenous women talking about how life was in Maine, like spending the summer camping on the river, swimming, fishing, canoeing. Yes, sometimes life was hard during the hungry months, but is life better now?
Addendum: Give King Crimson's 1969, 'Epitaph', a listen. Prophets and all. Good poetry from lyricist, Peter Sinfield.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvoRpWhOXUs&list=RDIvoRpWhOXUs&index=1
Peace, All
Wow, I wonder what happened to her.
I had a strange experience when I was in Los Angeles where a roommate mentioned that she met a woman who appeared to be homeless but seemed to "know things." She said the woman mentioned me, said, "You have a roommate who plays guitar..." It was odd and my roommate believed this homeless woman was an angel of some sort.
Shortly after, I saw this same woman! I was on a bus and made eye contact with this homeless woman and as a reflex quickly turned away. (In LA, I was often harassed by homeless people, and even though I care about them I learned to not make eye contact and be careful to get too close as some would get aggressive.)
Anyhow, I saw, as I turned away, the look in her eyes. It was a look of disappointment, disapproval, as though to say, "You haven't your life lesson yet, have you?"
I've been told that I'm not very trusting of other people and saw this as a lesson. I think I was supposed to look at this person and start up a conversation. Maybe she had something important to tell me. Maybe she was an angel. Her eyes were just as my roommate described them--very clear and knowing, not like that of a typical homeless person who is oppressed and defeated. It was as though she were an undercover angel dressed up as a homeless person just to see how people would react to her.
I had a lot of strange experiences when I lived in Hollyweird, and this was one of them. I often think of this memory... Of course, due to my political activism, I sometimes wonder whether she was an undercover cop too... LOL! But that is probably just my mistrust showing itself again.
With so many people falling for this proposed totalitarianism, I no longer feel able to become a more trusting person, but I know that perhaps in some situations, it might be helpful to try...
One interesting thing about being homeless is that it gives you freedom to really think outside the box. After all, you are outside the box of "normal" life. Sometimes even the seemingly craziest of homeless people can have wisdom to share, just from observing the world as an outsider. I found that out when I was working on my documentary on homelessness.
Thank you so much for sharing, Meri!
Thank you for sharing that beautiful experience. God does send His representatives among us.
🙏