Are we Living in the Twilight Zone? Rachel Devine

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Rachel Devine 8/1/24 Rachel Devine 8/1/24

You Can’t Have a Do-Over - Rachel Devine

Every action has a consequence, whether it is a good or bad action. Every word uttered has an emotional outcome for the person we speak to. Every decision we make actually moves our lives in one direction or another. All of the decisions you made in life has brought you right to where you are in this very moment. And with all the decisions we make in a day, remember one thing is very clear, you can’t have a do-over. There is no way to go back in time and change whatever happened. It is humanly impossible.

I recently read about a 64-year-old Long Island man with a blood alcohol level double the legal limit who plowed into a hair salon, killing four people. I am sure he wishes he could have a do-over of that day. He chose to get behind the wheel of a car drunk and now is under indictment on 4 murder charges; actions have consequences.

Two women at a high school basketball game got into a heated argument with another woman at the game, and words were exchanged, and the two women wound up beating up the woman they were arguing with. I am sure they wish they could have had a do-over of that day.

A famous person recently broke up with her boyfriend because he cheated on her. I wonder if he wanted a do-over with this situation!

You may have had days where your thoughts went like this: ‘If only I didn’t say that to her. If I only accepted that job. If I didn’t move to my mother’s house. If I only closed the gate to the backyard our dog would be here. If I was only in the room with him/her when they died.’

Regrets can be very hard to live with.

When you come to the realization that every action, every word, and every decision will put you in a different place in life, it stands to reason that you might become more careful of what you say or do.

When someone dies, there are similar regrets. You might wish you were there with the person who died, but you decided not to go. You may have made a medical decision that you will regret for the rest of your life.

Whatever the action, you can’t have a do-over. I am sure many who are reading this blog will suddenly remember a time of action that was not typically within your own moral compass that you wish you could take back. I will admit I have had my own share of misgivings in life. We all have weak moments in life, moments of anger, or drastic regrets. However, I think it’s important to focus on it now to prevent future regrets and moments of bad decisions.

Another form of regret is wasting time. Time goes by very quickly. Wasting an hour or even a day doesn’t seem like a big deal, but days turn into years and years into decades, and before long you might look back and see little accomplishments and a lot of time wasted. Capturing the moment and living life to the fullest will help you look back and perhaps see purpose in your life. There is an old adage that holds a lot of wisdom. “Live life like it’s your last day on earth.” Wow, if we all do that, there would be no reason for wanting to have a do-over in life.

The next best thing to a do-over is to make amends to the person you may have hurt. Making amends is a way to ease the regret, the guilt and the resentment. You can also make amends to a pet as well. The key is when you make an amends to someone, you have to also change the behavior so it doesn’t happen again.

The next time you want to lash out at someone with words, get angry at your dog, tell someone off in a store, or succumb to road rage, just remember one thing: you can’t have a do-over. And remember the infamous words of my mother, “Think before you speak!” And perhaps take a deep breath, count to 10, and imagine a better way to handle the situation that will make you feel good about who you are.

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Rachel Devine 7/23/24 Rachel Devine 7/23/24

Can you Trust the Navigator? Rachel Devine

I was on my way to New Jersey, and I had to totally rely on my navigator to get me to where I was going. I have to be honest; I was uncomfortable giving all my power of direction to an app that could go down at any time. Furthermore, as I was going around winding roads, I felt a little upset that I had to totally trust this navigator in the middle of nowhere. It gave me a feeling of powerlessness and uneasiness. And yet, I had no choice since I did not print any directions prior to my trip. Therefore, I had to totally rely on a voice on my app that was telling me to turn here or go there. And, when I reached my destination, I was relieved and thankful that I got there without any problems. It really was a lesson in trust.

This driving navigator experience is similar to our inner navigator that guides us through our journey in life. How easy is it to let go and let God guide your journey? Sure, it is easy during good times, but what about the hard times? How easy is it to let go and let God when you lose your job? Or when you get a bad health diagnosis? Or when there is war and unrest in the world? Do you trust your inner navigator, then? Or do you feel like I did on that ride to Jersey, uneasy, unsure, and perhaps afraid?

Our inner navigator, or the Spirit of God, will always be there for you if you just let go of the problem and hand it over to God. Sure, it’s hard not to worry when someone loses their job. And yet, to wallow in fear and worry will only bring you more things to feel fearful and worried about. That is the law of attraction that says, like attracts like. Letting go is a way to achieve serenity in the midst of a storm. It’s like being in the eye of a hurricane, where you are safe even though the raging storm is all around you.

How does one let go of what is going on in the world, with wars, political unrest, an increase in crime, inflation, and so much more? How do we find peace during our on personal storms and allow our inner navigator to direct our lives, irrespective of outer circumstances?

Well, I have to admit it’s not easy, but the more I practice letting go during a crisis, the more it becomes my automatic response. Also, gratitude is a great partner in helping me let go of turmoil because I can focus on all that I have to be grateful for, which in turn minimizes the crisis. Keeping focus on all I have rather than the outer crisis is a way to offset the storms in life. What I put my focus on will increase, so putting it on gratitude is a way to offset more crisis situations.

I also have past experience with blessings coming out of crises, lessons coming out of storms, and goodness prevailing after the storm has passed. This also helps in letting go and letting God take over.

Allowing the inner Spirit of God to take over during crisis is similar to allowing my navigator to guide me to my destination in Jersey on a lower level. It feels uncomfortable and yet in the same sense it brings a sense of serenity to let go and allow the situation to take it’s natural course.

Storms will always hit us at one time or another. It’s not about avoiding the storm it’s about finding peace in the midst of the storm. So, put your umbrella of God up when the storm hits, stay in prayer, read the Bible, perhaps go to your place of worship, meditate and stay in gratitude. These are some great ways to weather the storms of life. And allow your Navigator to take the steering wheel and lovingly guide you out of the storm.

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Rachel Devine 7/17/24 Rachel Devine 7/17/24

In a Blink of an Eye the World Changed - Rachel Devine

I want to say from the onset that this is not a political blog; it’s a spiritual one.

Last Saturday, there was a miracle that took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, that the world can see. It was a spiritual intervention that only those who don’t blink will recognize. When we become too busy to really look at God’s enormous power, we miss an opportunity for spiritual enlightenment or growth.

There was a deranged shooter who was able to somehow take 6 shots at Trump at the rally. Had Trump not turned his head, he would have been hit in the head by the bullet, but rather the bullet grazed his ear. In a blink of an eye the world changed with this miracle.

Let’s look at what happened and shine a spiritual spotlight on this miracle that took place for everyone to see and benefit from.

First off, Sean Parnell who was an Army Ranger, combat infantryman with the elite 10th Mountain Division, and veteran of 485 days of fierce fighting along the Afghan-Pakistan border said, “The moment I walked into that rally, there was something different, something in the air.” He went on to describe a tragic incident in 2006 in Afghanistan. He was hit by a bomb, and he said he was unconscious; he didn’t know if he was dead or alive, but something spiritual beckoned him to get up. It felt like his grandfather, who had died the day before he went to Afghanistan. He felt that same spiritual presence on the stage in Butler, PA, when he spoke before Trump took the stage. After the rally, people kept sending him pictures of the American flag that got twisted from the wind above the rally stage, shaped like an angel.

I want to say from the onset that this is not a political blog; it’s a spiritual one.

There was a deranged shooter who was able to somehow take 6 shots at former President Trump at the rally. Had Donald Trump not turned to look at a screen, he would have been hit in the head by the bullet, but rather because he turned the bullet grazed his ear. In a blink of an eye the world changed with this miracle.

Let’s look at what happened and shine a spiritual spotlight on this miracle that took place for everyone to see and benefit from.

The United States of America flag twisted in the image of an angel.

Sean Parnell’s story. (video)

I can relate to Sean Parnell’s spiritual experience, since I had my own spiritual experience back in 2000. This is the way I described it in 2009 in my book, The Third Road.

“It happened sometime in the summer of 2000. I was crossing a major turnpike with two lanes of two-way traffic plus a turn signal lane. I was in a hurry to get to the other side of the street. There was a red light, and two cars were stopped at the light. The car to my far right was a large van. There was a left-turn lane next to the van that had a green turn signal light where cars could make a left turn. That lane appeared to be empty, but I was not really paying attention since my mind was on a million different things. Therefore, I was not thinking about the left turn lane as I hurried across the street, while the other two cars were stopped at the red light. The van was blocking my view of the left-turn lane at the far end. As I approached the left lane, I felt an incredible force push me back. It was the most amazing feeling I had ever felt in my life. It was not a visible force or an audible force, just a strong, silent force that pulled me back. I was actually immobilized. I could not move at all. I remember being frozen in the middle of the street.

The only way I can describe what happened is in this way. It actually felt like my father’s hand pulling me back away from danger. I remember when I was a child riding in the front seat of our old Rambler with my father; there were no seat belts back then, or at least not in my father’s old Rambler. When he would stop short at a red light, he would extend his arm out to hold me back from falling into the dashboard. I remember how loving this felt when he tried to protect me from harm. It was the same feeling as when I was crossing the street. It felt like a loving force holding me back from possible death.

I could not see anything holding me back, but there was a definite power stopping me from continuing to go across the turnpike, and this power extended across my heart. As I stood there, literally unable to move, a van came screeching past me at a very high speed. Had I taken one more step, I would have been hit by this van. I remember looking down at the solid white line on the road and thinking that had I crossed that line and made one more step, I could possibly have been killed, since that step would have simultaneously put me right in front of this speeding van.

These thoughts raced through my mind. What was this power that held me back? I suspected this was the power of God, but how did this work? Why did this happen to me? Whose arm pushed me back and made me unable to move, shielding me from sudden death? I was baffled for years and had no clue what happened that day or who saved me from possible death. It felt like the hand of God, but I needed more of an explanation to comprehend the mystery of this phenomenon. I never told anyone about it for fear of not being believed. After all, miracles are sometimes viewed as foolish and highly unlikely. and I felt that doubt was prevalent in most of society. Plus, I had no idea what happened to me that fateful day, so I had a hard time processing it, let alone explaining it.”

End of transcript from The Third Road.

My theory is God spares people who have unfinished business. I believe that God spared Trump because he has more work to complete on this earth. I believe the same for me back in 2000, but of course on a much different level.

The question begs: why wasn’t Cory Comperatore saved? He shielded his wife and daughter from the bullet and lost his own life. His daughter describes him as a superhero. When he died, it was a very sad moment. So why didn’t God save him?

All I can say is what Joel Osteen said once, and I will paraphrase it. He said, When a tragedy strikes and someone dies, you can’t explain why; you have to put it in a box called, I just don’t know.

We truly don’t know why God saves some and not others; all I know is that the power of God was with Trump in Butler, PA, last Saturday, and his life was spared. If Trump hadn’t turned his head when he did, the bullet would have hit his skull, but instead it grazed his ear. It was a miracle of great proportion for the world to see.

This is a time for reflection on the power of God in all areas of life. It’s a time to open our eyes to a world that changed last Saturday in a myriad of ways, but in a way that could be a spiritual awakening or perhaps strengthen your faith. Any way you look at it, God’s Spirit was present at the rally in Butler and a miracle took place. Don’t let the busyness of the world stop you from taking a moment to contemplate this enormous event.

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Rachel Devine 7/8/24 Rachel Devine 7/8/24

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff - Choose Peace over Conflict - Rachel Devine

Let's look at some techniques to choose peace over conflict and not sweat the small stuff.

Life is too short to become stressed over every little thing other people do that we don't like. Remember, you can't control anyone but yourself. When someone irritates you, remember that you have the choice of how to respond. Typically, we respond with a reactive angry attitude, because the other person hit a nerve. Or perhaps the other person triggered us, which can be emotionally overwhelming. What if we took a moment to just breathe and decided that we didn't really want to give this person the power to ruin our day? Also, at times, it may not be the other person. It may be how you react to whatever happened.

Let's look at some techniques to choose peace over conflict.

Count to Ten

When you encounter someone you know is hard to deal with and they go into a rant that sets you off, stop and count to ten, leave the room or take some deep breaths. Taking a few seconds to compose yourself will help you have more control and, in turn, be able to have more control over your emotions and how you respond. Try not to react, rather, take a time-out and respond with a level head. This is key to keeping your cool during conflict. Abraham Lincoln said, “When angry count to 10, when very angry count to 100.”

Take your power back

When we allow others to ruin our day because they are rude to us, we have handed over our power to the other person. Picture it this way. The other person has a remote control and presses a button that says, “ruin their day,” or a button that says, “make them angry” or “make them stressed.” Don't allow others to push your buttons. Take the remote control back, and in turn, you will take back your power. Remember, you always have the choice of how you will respond to others' rudeness. They are not ruining your day; you are choosing to let them ruin your day.

Detach with love

Detachment is the key to serenity. You might live with someone who is totally obnoxious and difficult to live with. The key is to detach from the person with love. In other words, observe what is happening from an outsider's standpoint rather than get emotionally involved in the encounter. Just act as an observer of what is happening and then react from that state of mind. You will be able to be more rational in walking away from the conflict. Remember, if you leave the room, the person has no one to fight with. This will give you peace. Don't focus on the person who is hard to live with; rather, focus on your own life and detach with love. It’s important to recognize ways to overcome the obstacles that come your way in order to be happy with your life. One major way is to detach with love and discover how peaceful life can really be.

Daily peaceful techniques

Doing a daily meditation will help you get more centered in a peaceful state of mind. You can do a number of different meditations, from being in your happy place to listening to a peaceful meditation on YouTube. To get to your happy place, close your eyes and simply meditate on a place that makes you very happy and sit in that place in your mind. Perhaps you want to get quiet in a room alone, meditate with peaceful music, and add some scented candles to the mix. Taking a nice, relaxing bath will also help you feel more at peace.

Forgiveness is an act of self-love

Forgiveness is the key to getting rid of resentment and bitterness. Our resentments usually cause an irrational response to someone pushing our buttons. Forgiveness is an act of self-love. When you forgive the other person, you are releasing the venom that is going through your veins in the form of bitterness. Releasing the bitterness will release you from the stress that causes health issues. Also, ask yourself: Will this conflict matter tomorrow, a month or a year from now, or when you are on your deathbed? Sometimes what is important in the heat of the moment will not be important tomorrow. A good slogan many use is "How important is it?" In the scheme of everyday life, how important is this showdown of conflict? This is a great slogan to ponder.

People take simple conflicts to the point of cutting people out of their lives. Our pride usually gets in the way of reaching out to the other person for a mutual resolution. Remember, it is the strong person who can put aside their pride and reach out to the other person to communicate with them to resolve conflicts. Again, the question arises: how will you feel in the future about this same situation? Another good question is, how would you advise a friend who has the same conflict? Sometimes what seems so magnified now will look trivial in the future.

In conclusion, with a little awareness, you can become peaceful again if you take your power back, detach with love, and forgive the person you are in conflict with. You can forgive them without speaking to them. Remember, the person you are in conflict with is your greatest teacher. Those who can push our buttons have much to teach us. You might one day look back on your life and realize that the person who pushed your buttons taught you more than anyone else. Sometimes these lessons can be very powerful. These life lessons are here to show us an aspect of ourselves we didn’t realize existed.

I want to end with this great quote by Dr. Wayne Dyer: “If you have the choice of being right or being kind, choose kind.”

**Discover the power you have within as you journey on the third road and lavish in a peaceful state.**

Rachel Devine is the author of Discover the Power of the Secret within, a book on the power of the subconscious mind and the inner child. The Third Road, a book that gently guides one to the power within and their purpose in life, and Lessons from the Needle in a Haystack, a spiritual book on dating and relationships.

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Look for my new book on short stories sometime in September 2024!

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

Rachel Devine 7/3/24 Rachel Devine 7/3/24

Special Weekend Getaway - Theme: Letting Go - Embrace a New Beginning

The benefits of a spiritual retreat are unlimited. It’s a time where you can emerse yourself in serenity as you take solace in manifesting your dreams. It’s a time for growth and renewal. A weekend retreat recharges your batteries an d gives you tools to last a lifetime.

The team and I are planning a special retreat with the theme, ‘Letting Go: Embrace a New Beginning.’ Save the date, August 30, 2024, or better yet, sign up early and get a discount on the cost. This retreat will fill up quickly, so the sooner you register, the better. Full details and a link to register will be at the end of this article.

Let’s look at how this retreat can benefit you and details about this special retreat. A spiritual retreat offers numerous benefits that can lead to personal growth, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of one's place in the world. It is a special opportunity to embrace serenity. It allows one to put focus on long-held goals and allow time for reflection. It is also a time for fun, a special “me time,” and a chance to meet new like-minded friends.

The team and I are planning a special and exciting weekend getaway with the theme, ‘Letting Go: Embrace a New Beginning.’ The date, August 30, 2024, sign up early and get a discount on the cost. The deadline for the discount is June 30, 2024. Pricing and full details at the end of this newsletter. This retreat will fill up quickly, so the sooner you register, the better.

As they say, ‘a picture tells a thousand words.’ Let’s first look at some more pictures of this amazing new retreat house called Crossroads.

**This main discussion room will serve as a room where we will gather for talks and have our movie night.** **There is plenty of room for 3 large tables/chairs.**

**One of three decks in the retreat house we can use.**

**We will have a kitchen with coffee/tea/snacks available throughout the day and a microwave and a refrigerator for everyone’s use.**

Comfortable room that will spoil you with your own full bathroom with shower, toilet and sink, along with your own AC unit.

Dining room is a rustic place with a great ambiance and we can sit inside the room or at a picnic table.

Inside the dining hall - where we will share our meals together.

Pool is fully decked out in the summer with lodge chairs and a lifeguard and the price of the weekend includes free-time by the pool.

Full details of this retreat & pricing:

Letting Go – Embrace a New Beginning

Weekend Getaway Retreat Aug 30-1, 2024

Crossroads Retreat House

29 Pleasant Grove Road, Port Murray NJ 07865

The retreat is located WEST of NYC, so traffic usually goes south to the Jersey shore on the weekends. 90 min easy drive. Contact me on this link if you need to carpool.

This special retreat is designed to be relaxing & fun as we bask in the serenity of this beautiful retreat house. We will embark on a new journey where we will make s’mores on a campfire, lounge by the pool, eat delicious chef-made meals, see a great movie and meet new friends. This reflective spiritual journey is designed to assist you in letting go of the things you cannot change and embracing a new beginning. We have a full program in line with the theme.

Retreat registration starts on Friday at 5:00 pm and the retreat ends Sunday at 1:00 p.m. There will be 5 delicious home cooked hot meals by the retreat chef, lodging for 2 nights in a double room with a private bathroom, shower and AC unit, all on the ground floor (no stairs) of an amazing retreat house, that we will have for ourselves. There will be a program on ‘letting go’ with a series of talks, fun activities and plenty of free time to relax by the pool.

Review from our last retreat: “I have been on many retreats, but this by far is the best retreat I have ever been on.” MC

· Double room cost for all of the above is $350 pp - bring a friend!

· If you come Saturday, one night + all of the above $285

· Rates are per person, double occupancy. If you want a single room the cost is $125 more.

There are no extra charges.

Prepayment of the full cost is due at the time of registration to guarantee your room per retreat house rules. If you need to car pool, please contact me. You can pay by credit card on my website or send me a check. This is not a cursillo event.

Overall,we are planning a fun, exciting, relaxing, healing and spiritually connected weekend. Remember, a weekend retreat can be a transformative experience that provides physical, mental, and emotional benefits. It offers a chance to step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing you to focus on personal growth, self-awareness, and spiritual development. A retreat is a gift of peace and serenity for yourself, and the benefits can be transform your life. You can walk away with a sense of purpose and clarity as you journey through life, with more tools for living your best life. And we all deserve the gift of a relaxing and fun retreat.

Full details on this link and to register for the retreat.

Contact me with any questions.

Rachel Devine 6/27/24 Rachel Devine 6/27/24

Letting Go of the Past - Rachel Devine

The past is just an illusion that holds a ton of memories and feelings. However, make no mistake about it, the past is over and cannot be changed. We can hold onto the fears that certain past experiences have embedded in our mind, but the reality is, it cannot hurt us anymore. The past is just a fleeting thought that does crop up when we want to move forward in life either with perhaps a family matter, or a relationship, a new job, or any number of situations that propel us in life. Leading your life with past emotional baggage can only cause fear, anxiety and one to feel stifled. It zaps one of happiness.

Letting go of the past is the key to moving forward on your journey through life, especially resentments and any other unforgiveness. Let’s take a look at ways to let go of the past.

The past is just an illusion that holds a ton of memories and feelings. However, make no mistake about it, the past is over and cannot be changed. We can hold onto the fears that certain past experiences have embedded in our mind, but the reality is, it cannot hurt us anymore. The past is just a fleeting thought that does crop up when we want to move forward in life either with perhaps a family matter, a relationship, or a new job, or any number of situations that propel us in life. Leading your life with past emotional baggage can only cause fear, anxiety and one to feel stifled. It zaps one of happiness.

Letting go of the past is the key to moving forward on your journey through life, especially resentments and any other unforgiveness. Let’s take a look at ways to let go of the past.

Here are some concrete ways to let go of past emotional baggage:

Practice mindfulness meditation to stay present and avoid dwelling on the past.
Write a letter expressing your feelings, then ceremonially burn or destroy it.
Talk to a therapist or life coach to process unresolved emotions.
Use the "empty chair" technique: speak to an imaginary person from your past.
Engage in physical activities like exercise or dance to release pent-up emotions.
Practice forgiveness exercises, both for others and yourself.
Create a "letting go" ritual, like releasing balloons or floating paper boats.
Use cognitive restructuring to challenge and reframe negative thought patterns.
Practice gratitude daily to shift focus from past hurts to present blessings.
Volunteer or help others gain perspective and create new, positive memories.

The Power of writing a letter

I want to elaborate on writing a letter as a way of letting go. I have done this several times in my life, and I have to say that it is powerful beyond comprehension. Whoever you need to let go of, write in a letter thanking the person for teaching you any life lessons you may have learned. For instance, if you have a disgruntled boss that has given you a hard time, you can write a letter telling the boss that you are grateful for learning the lesson that you deserve to be treated with respect and kindness and further elaborate on other aspects of the relationship. Or if you had a breakup with a romantic partner, you can list all the lessons from the experience of the relationship. When you are done writing, you can simply say at the end, “I forgive you, and I release you to God for the good of all.” Then you can read it out loud and burn the letter either in the sink or in your backyard, or just destroy it in a sink with water or tear it up.

Letting go of past hurts and fears in this manner is a way to let God’s vast universe know that you learned these lessons and don’t want to have to repeat them again with someone else. It will get released from your subconscious mind so it doesn’t have power and control over your thoughts. It is also a way to release you from the pain of the past.

Practice gratitude in the moment

When you practice gratitude on a regular basis, you are staying in the moment. Being grateful is a gift, but so is being in the present moment. When you are in the moment, there is no room for ruminating about the past or projecting a dire future. The moment is when you can live your life to the fullest and be part of the living. When we start to look at the past or the future, we have lost touch with reality, because the only reality we have is breathing in this very moment of our lives. Past regrets, angst and unforgiveness is emotional baggage that weighs us down. Letting go of these past wounds is liberating.

Talking it out

Of course, speaking about our past is therapeutic because it releases us from the burden of past wounds. There is a saying, “We are only as sick as our secrets.” Getting a therapist or life coach is crucial to working out issues that get stuck in our minds. Speaking about the past is a good way to come to terms with what happened and release it. Also, a good therapist or life coach will help you work through any issues that linger in the present moment.

Some statistics on the power of letting go:

While exact statistics can vary, research supports the benefits of letting go, and I found these statistics.

A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that people who practice forgiveness have 34% lower levels of stress hormones.
Research from Stanford University showed that individuals who let go of grudges were 43% more likely to report higher levels of happiness.
A study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine found that people who practiced emotional release techniques reported a 23% reduction in physical pain symptoms.
According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 62% of Americans believe that letting go of negative experiences from their past would significantly improve their mental health.

These findings suggest that letting go can lead to improved mental and physical health, increased happiness, and better overall life satisfaction. By releasing past baggage, individuals can free up mental and emotional resources to focus on personal growth, build stronger relationships, and pursue their goals more effectively.

Take a moment to contemplate what you may need to let go of, and then pick one or two of the above suggestions and release the past so you can have a brighter present-day experience. And remember, forgiveness is an act of self-love. It frees you from the burden of resentments that seep into our body and create stress related illness. Liberate yourself from the chains of another person having all that power over you.

Free & low cost resources

Life coach

The research I did for this book taught me so much and I share all of that with you.

Rachel Devine 6/20/24 Rachel Devine 6/20/24

Special Weekend Getaway - Theme: Letting Go - Embrace a New Beginning

As they say, ‘a picture tells a thousand words.’ Let’s first look at some more pictures of this amazing new retreat house called Crossroads.

Full details of this retreat & pricing:

Letting Go – Embrace a New Beginning

Weekend Getaway Retreat Aug 30-1, 2024

Crossroads Retreat House

29 Pleasant Grove Road, Port Murray NJ 07865

The retreat is located WEST of NYC, so traffic usually goes south to the Jersey shore on the weekends. 90 min easy drive. Contact me on this link if you need to carpool.

Review from our last retreat: “I have been on many retreats, but this by far is the best retreat I have ever been on.” MC

· Double room cost for all of the above is $350 pp if register by 6/30 bring a friend!

· Double room cost for all of the above is $375 pp if register after 6/30

· If you come Saturday, one night + all of the above $285 by 6/30

· If you come Saturday, one night + all of the above $300 after 6/30

· Rates are per person, double occupancy. If you want a single room the cost is $125 more.

There are no extra charges.

Full details on this link and to register for the retreat.

Contact me with any questions.

Rachel Devine 6/19/24 Rachel Devine 6/19/24

Everyone Loves a Good Short Story- Rachel Devine

I know this is a big statement, but I think everyone loves a good short story. Aesop's Fables are very brief stories featuring animals who demonstrate human traits such as speech and human follies. Each tale imparts a life lesson to its readers, as it always ends with a profound moral to the story. I used to love reading Aesop Fables to my two sons when they were little, and they loved them. It was very clever to use animals in the fables that children could relate to.

Other short stories can bring us back in time or propel us into the future. Some are designed to bring the reader to another dimension. And some tug at the heart, with human compassion at the forefront. And yet, some have great endings, and others have tragic endings.

The Origin of Short Stories

Short stories have existed since ancient times, with early examples found in the tales of Aesop's Fables, the stories of the Arabian Nights, and even the parables in the Bible by Jesus. However, the modern short story form is generally traced back to the 19th century, with writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Anton Chekhov being among the pioneering masters of the genre.

Tones and Voices in Short Stories

One of the defining features of short stories is the ability to enlist a wide range of tones and narrative voices.

Some common tones include:

Humorous/Satirical: stories that use wit, irony, and exaggeration to poke fun at human behavior or societal norm.
Dramatic/Emotional: Stories that explore intense emotions, conflicts, and human experiences.
Suspenseful/Thrilling: stories that build tension and keep readers on the edge of their seats.
Reflective/Philosophical: Stories that delve into existential questions, human nature, and the meaning of life.

**We all have our stories. What would your short story look like?**

Famous Short Story Titles and Authors

Here are some renowned short story titles and their authors:

"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson
"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry
"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant
"The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
"The Dead" by James Joyce
"The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka
"The Monkey's Paw" by W.W. Jacobs
"The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allan Poe
"The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursula K. Le Guin
"A Good Man Is Hard to Find" by Flannery O'Connor

I have to confess, I have not read all of them. My research brought these up as significant short stories of our time. I did read a few of them, and I would highly recommend “The Yellow Wallpaper,” “The Gift of the Magi,” and “The Lottery.” As you might guess, these short story examples showcase the diverse range of styles, themes, and voices that have contributed to the rich tradition of short fiction over the centuries.

I am very excited to announce that I am just completing a manuscript of my own short stories. My short stories have a range of different topics and definitely have endings that make you think about the moral of the story. I would say they fit into the category of number 2 and 4 of the, Tones and Voices in Short Stories listed above. I wanted to do a book on short stories for a while, and I finally just sat down and started it, and before long, I only have one chapter left to complete. I am hoping to have it completed by the beginning of September and put in a book form.

In closing, let me just say that short stories are a way to give us an exciting escape from everyday life and visit perhaps the Riviera, travel back in time to the 1800’s, or perhaps peer into the life of someone who is experiencing a “God Moment.” And you can do all of that without leaving the comfort of your living room.

Let me know what your favorite short story is in the comments or by emailing me.

Information on our upcoming retreat

Rachel Devine 6/10/24 Rachel Devine 6/10/24

How to Find Hope in Dark Times - Rachel Devine

We live in a time where there is great darkness and challenges in our world. We no longer have a feeling of peace, especially with war raging in areas abroad.There is a feeling of uncertainty and perhaps hopelessness. Horror stories that emerge from the news are disturbing, to say the least, and weigh heavily on our wellness. Hope seems to be a forgotten friend.

I will explore how we can find some hope in dark times. I will explore ways to find hope, irrespective of what is happening around us. We can always decide how we view what is going on in the world and in our own world. Do we look for what’s wrong, or do we look for what’s right? Herein lies the key to finding hope. It’s all according to how you view the world.

This article is about finding hope. Let’s look at 5 ways to find hope in dark times:

We live in a time where there is great darkness and challenges in our world. We no longer have a feeling of peace, especially with war raging in areas abroad. There is a feeling of uncertainty and perhaps hopelessness. Horror stories that emerge from the news are disturbing, to say the least, and weigh heavily on our wellness. Hope seems to be a forgotten friend.

Let’s explore ways to find hope, irrespective of what is happening around us. We can always decide how we view what is going on in the world and in our own world. Do we look for what’s wrong, or do we look for what’s right? Herein lies the key to finding hope. It’s all according to how you view the world.

Let’s look at 5 ways to find hope in dark times:

Your worldview

Your worldview is paramount to having hope in dark times. We can look at things happening from a catastrophic point of view. However, that will only bring us down and really doesn’t help the challenging plight. Now, what if I view the world from the perspective of the good that is happening in the darkness? What if I focus on the humanitarian aid, the people on the ground helping out, possible future changes, and the prayers to God that are being said? That would offer some light in the darkness and hope in the midst of calamity. How you view the challenges in the world is a choice only you can make. Looking for the good that will emerge from the calamity means looking at the world from a different perspective.

Detaching

Detaching from the news for a while will help you find some hope and peace. Watching every little nuance of the atrocities in the world will only keep you in a state of despair and hopelessness. The news can bring you into fear to the point of not wanting to leave your house. The bad news will assure you that you will wallow in the darkness of world affairs rather than the light of hope. The news has one purpose, and that is to sell to their audience. The majority of what they are selling is bad news, and if you wallow in that, it will be difficult to find any hope. The news will bring you the worst possible situations, and when you are done watching, you might feel depleted and anxious. That is the time to turn it off. Believe me, the world will keep spinning on its axis whether you watch the news or not. In other words, don’t be a participant in the dictates of a news program that causes a feeling of despair. Allow yourself 10 minutes to catch up on the news, and then do yourself a favor and turn it off. Perhaps reading a book or some quotes on finding happiness will help turn things around.

Prayer = hope and peace

Prayer is the equalizer in times of any challenge. Prayer can bring you to a place of hope in an instant. Let’s look at how to find hope in God. When we pray, we are in the moment of our prayer, and that brings us from the darkness to light. God can only be found in the moment. He is not in the past or the future; he is in this very sacred moment. When we are in a prayerful state, we are connected to the peace of God. Darkness disappears when in prayer. It's like shining a flashlight in a dark room. I believe in the power of prayer; therefore, prayer helps me feel at peace and gives me a lot of hope. It helps me let go of the things I cannot change. Remember, you have the power within to offset any darkness in the world. Pray for the world at large.

Louise Hay said, “The point of power is always in the present moment.”

Finding hope in a support group

Being around people of like-mind will help you feel brighter. Join a support group. Perhaps a prayer group, a focus group, a writing group, a 12-step group, or join a meetup group that socializes. Getting out and talking to other people helps prevent the power of the chaos from infringing on the mind and also gives a well-deserved break from world affairs. Detaching from the chaos and being around people of like-mind can be as refreshing as taking a dip in the ocean. Expressing yourself in a group setting is a healthy move in the direction of inner peace. Or give yourself the gift of a weekend getaway. These mini vacations can help recharge your batteries and detach from the world’s chaos. These are some ways to find hope and happiness in your life.

Gratitude

In the center of hope lies the enormous power of gratitude. Counting your blessings is a way to shift from feeling hopeless to finding hope. It’s okay to feel fortunate in times of challenge in the world. It’s okay to be grateful for all you have. I suggest you make a gratitude list of at least five things you are grateful for daily and read it out loud in the morning and before you go to bed at night. Going to bed in a peaceful state of gratitude is priceless. It will help you manifest the power of God’s goodness into your life.

In conclusion, finding hope and peace in dark times is a choice. We all have the power to decide what we allow into our psyche. Our choices will dictate whether we are shining in the light or wallowing in the darkness. However, when anxiety becomes the norm, it really is time to set some boundaries. And remember, you have the power and the choice to decide what you allow to come into your emotional world.

“In life, we have to be strong and bright enough to face our dark times. Eclipse may come and eclipse may go; nothing should stop our inner strength’s flow."
― Munia Khan

I suggest you stay in that inner strength’s flow, under the tent of God.

Our Weekend Getaway information

Rachel’s books.

Devine Intervention - The Healing Center website.

Life Coaching available

Look for my new book with a target date of the end of September, 2024.

Please leave your ideas in the comments. Or please also feel free to contact me. I will answer all emails.

Rachel Devine 6/4/24 Rachel Devine 6/4/24

Weekend Getaway - Theme: Letting Go - Embrace a New Beginning

The team and I are planning a special and exciting weekend getaway with the theme, ‘Letting Go: Embrace a New Beginning.’ Save the date, August 30, 2024, or better yet, sign up early and get a discount on the cost. This retreat will fill up quickly, so the sooner you register, the better. Full details on this retreat is at the end of this article.

As they say, ‘a picture tells a thousand words.’ Let’s first look at some more pictures of this amazing new retreat house called Crossroads.

Full details of this retreat & pricing:

Letting Go – Embrace a New Beginning

Weekend Getaway Retreat Aug 30-1, 2024

Crossroads Retreat House

29 Pleasant Grove Road, Port Murray NJ 07865

The retreat is located WEST of NYC, so traffic usually goes south to the Jersey shore on the weekends. 90 min easy drive. Contact me on this link if you need to carpool.

Review from our last retreat: “I have been on many retreats, but this by far is the best retreat I have ever been on.” MC

· Double room cost for all of the above is $350 pp if register by 6/30 bring a friend!

· Double room cost for all of the above is $375 pp if register after 6/30

· If you come Saturday, one night + all of the above $285 by 6/30

· If you come Saturday, one night + all of the above $300 after 6/30

· Rates are per person, double occupancy. If you want a single room the cost is $125 more.

There are no extra charges.

Full details on this link and to register for the retreat.

Devine Intervention: Inner Healing Center website

Contact me with any questions.

Rachel Devine 5/30/24 Rachel Devine 5/30/24

How Defining Moments Shape Our Destiny - Rachel Devine

Certain pivotal events have the power to permanently shift the entire course of our lives. Understanding how these “defining moments” tie into quantum physics principles can help us appreciate how they transform us. A defining moment in life is a gift. These moments are a mystical blessing that come out of left field and literally transform our lives. I believe at the center of any quantum moment is the power of God giving us an opportunity to change our course in life. Let’s look at this phenomenon more closely.

Certain pivotal events have the power to permanently shift the entire course of our lives. Understanding how these “defining moments” tie into quantum physics principles can help us appreciate how they transform us. A defining moment in life is a gift. These moments are a mystical blessing that come out of left field and literally transform our lives. I believe at the center of any quantum or defining moment is the power of God giving us an opportunity to change our course in life. Let’s look at this phenomenon more closely.

Defining Moments Described

Quantum moments have been described as surprising—unexpected, uninvited, and unforeseen. Quantum moments are benevolent; in other words, they come with feelings of peace, serenity, and bliss in a mystical fashion. The fourth quality of a quantum moment is that it never goes away. That moment is burned into our consciousness as a vivid picture that won't be forgotten.

Quantum moments are life-changing, if one is open to the message of the moment.

A Defining or Quantum Moment Transforms Lives.

Having a ‘quantum moment’ that is truly defining and life-changing refers to an experience or realization that profoundly shifts one's perspective or understanding of the world in a way that is transformative and paradigm-shifting.

The power behind such a quantum moment lies in its ability to shatter previous assumptions, beliefs, or limitations that had constrained one's thinking or perception of reality. It is a moment of profound insight or awakening that opens up new realms of possibility and understanding, much like the strange and counterintuitive principles of quantum physics challenged our classical understanding of the physical world.

A defining moment can come through various means, such as a deep spiritual experience, a life-altering event, a revelatory encounter, or a sudden breakthrough in understanding after prolonged contemplation or study. It can feel like the veil has been lifted, and one sees the world through entirely new lenses, with a heightened sense of clarity, interconnectedness, and expanded awareness. And to reiterate, the mystical power behind the quantum moment is God. A quantum moment can also come from being on a retreat, where you have the opportunity for quiet time.

**This is Holy Family Church, where I had my spiritual awakening.**

My Personal Defining Moment

I had my own sacred, quantum moment on Christmas Day in 1996 in a church. I was separated from my husband and was caring for my 4 and 10-year-old sons alone. Life was a blur from one day to the next. I remember lying in bed, feeling exhausted. I prayed for the gift of faith. It was a faint prayer that I honestly forgot about. Two weeks later, I took my sons to our church for Christmas mass. I wanted to feel the faith and warmth of my church that I had when I was a child. During the mass, I felt an enormous power swirl from one end of the church to where I was sitting and pierce my heart. It was an enormous jolt of energy that seemed to come out of nowhere. I had no idea what was happening. I just sat there feeling frozen in time, or, I should say, in the moment. A few minutes passed, and when everyone sang Silent Night, my heart was transformed into a feeling of peace that surpasses all understanding. I started to cry happy, confused tears. I felt like my soul was awakening from a long hibernation, and God granted me the gift of faith on that glorious day.

From that day forward, all I wanted to do was nurture this newfound faith. I joined my prayer group, became involved with the church, went on retreats, eventually directed spiritual retreats, did speaking engagements, and wrote several books that were designed to help others. That sacred Christmas day in 1996 was the start of my spiritual journey of faith, purpose, and helping others along their life’s journey. That quantum moment transformed my life. The shift brought me from feeling like a victim of life circumstances to empowering me to change.

What about you? Have you had a defining moment in life? Did this defining moment shape your destiny? Did it change the course of your life? Did you ride the wave to find out what it was all about?

In conclusion, by harnessing the currents of mystical change ignited by defining moments, you gain influence over your unfolding destiny. Pivotal points require a purposeful response to ignite a lasting positive impact. Don’t ignore these quantum moments. Rather, use them to shape your destiny and redefine who you are.

**My book directs one on a journey of inner power and purpose.**

Rachel Devine is the author of The Third Road on Amazon.

Amazon review: “Every word sent a beam of light straight to my soul.” Dawn K

Rachel’s books

Contact me

Full details regarding our upcoming retreat

Let me know about your ‘defining moment’ in life.

Rachel Devine 5/23/24 Rachel Devine 5/23/24

More Pictures of our Retreat: Letting Go - Embrace a New Beginning - Rachel Devine

The Christ Center Retreat House, where we will stay.

The team and I are planning a special and exciting retreat with the theme, ‘Letting Go: Embrace a New Beginning.’ Save the date, August 30, 2024, or better yet, sign up early and get a discount on the cost. This retreat will fill up quickly, so the sooner you register, the better. Full details on this retreat is at the end of this article.

As they say, ‘a picture tells a thousand words.’ Let’s first look at some more pictures of this amazing new retreat house called Crossroads.

**The Christ Center main room where we will have discussions and our movie night.**

Full details of this retreat & pricing.

Letting Go – Embrace a New Beginning

Weekend Getaway Retreat Aug 30-1, 2024

Crossroads Retreat House

29 Pleasant Grove Road, Port Murray NJ 07865

The retreat is located WEST of NYC, so traffic usually goes south to the Jersey shore on the weekends. 90 min easy drive. Contact me on this link if you need to carpool.

This special retreat is designed to be relaxing & fun as we bask in the serenity of this beautiful retreat house. We will embark on a new journey where we will make s’mores on a campfire, lounge by the pool, eat delicious chef-made meals, and meet new friends. This reflective spiritual journey is designed to assist you in letting go of the things you cannot change and embracing a new beginning. We have a full program in line with the theme.

Review from our last retreat: “I have been on many retreats, but this by far is the best retreat I have ever been on.” MC

· Double room cost for all of the above is $350 pp if register by 6/30 (no extra cost) bring a friend!

· Double room cost for all of the above is $375 pp if register after 6/30 “ “

· If you come Saturday, one night + all of the above $285 by 6/30 “ “

· If you come Saturday, one night + all of the above $300 after 6/30 “ “

· Rates are per person, double occupancy. If you want a single room the cost is $125 more.

Overall,we are planning a fun, exciting, relaxing, healing and spiritually connected retreat. Remember, a retreat can be a transformative experience that provides physical, mental, and emotional benefits. It offers a chance to step back from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, allowing you to focus on personal growth, self-awareness, and spiritual development. A retreat is a gift of peace and serenity for yourself, and the benefits can be transform your life. You can walk away with a sense of purpose and clarity as you journey through life, with more tools for living your best life. And we all deserve the gift of a relaxing and fun retreat.

Full details on this link and to register for the retreat.

Contact me with any questions.

Rachel Devine 5/20/24 Rachel Devine 5/20/24

Weekend Getaway Retreat: Letting Go - Embrace a New Beginning - Rachel Devine

Let’s look at how this retreat can benefit you and also look at details about this special retreat. A spiritual retreat offers numerous benefits that can lead to personal growth, self-discovery, and a deeper understanding of one's place in the world. It is a special opportunity to embrace serenity. It allows one to put focus on long-held goals and allow time for reflection. It is also a time for fun, and to have a special “me time,” and a chance to meet new like-minded friends.

As they say, ‘a picture tells a thousand words.’ Let’s first look at some pictures of this amazing new retreat house called Crossroads.

**Each bedroom has a private bath with shower and an individual ac unit in a lovely and roomy comfortable setting.**

The Christ Center is where we will stay. We will have the whole place to ourselves. There are 3 decks, 2 conference rooms, bedrooms that sleep 30 people, and each one has a private bathroom and a main discussion room. It is highly recommended to book early, since we always fill up our rooms.

Here are some of the key advantages of our retreats:

Spoiled Fun: The most important benefit is a chance to have fun. We will have plenty of free time, and if you want, you can lounge by the pool during our free time. We will have our movie night on Saturday and then have a campfire and roast s’mores in the evening. We have an enlightened program and a series of talks on ‘Letting Go.’ We will have delicious chef-cooked meals together and a hotel-style room with a private bathroom and AC unit.
Inner peace and relaxation: A spiritual retreat provides a serene environment that allows you to disconnect from daily stressors, find inner peace, and focus on self-reflection. You leave your daily routine and put your focus on yourself. It gives you the opportunity to recharge your batteries and focus on what really matters in life.
Self-discovery: Retreats offer the opportunity to explore your inner self, identify your strengths and weaknesses, and gain a better understanding of your true desires and aspirations. A retreat offers you the gift of time—time to get in touch with your heart and uncover some long-awaited goals.
Enhanced mindfulness: Spiritual retreats can help you develop mindfulness and improve your ability to focus, be present, and develop self-awareness. This benefit allows us to go back to our daily lives with a clear and focused mind, which will enhance our productivity.
Connection with nature: Our retreat is located in a beautiful, natural setting, which can provide a deeper connection with nature and help you recharge. This is the time to focus on the moment, where dreams manifest and take flight. Walking in nature, without the cares of everyday life, can be a gift with great benefits. The serenity of a quiet walk in nature could provide answers to long-held problems and direct your future to a shift in consciousness.
Building community: Spiritual retreats bring together like-minded individuals seeking similar goals, fostering a sense of community and the opportunity to make new friends and connections. Our retreats have always fostered life-long friendships, which is a great benefit to our lives. It helps us connect to others in a deep and meaningful way, which lasts a lifetime. It also gives us an opportunity to bring a friend along and deepen that relationship.
Improved mental health: A retreat can help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression, leading to improved overall mental well-being. We can move forward from the state of the world to one of a deep feeling of peace, support, and purpose. Our lives become more meaningful, with purpose and clarity, as we navigate our lives in a more enhanced way.
Deepening spiritual practice: Retreats offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in spiritual practices and teachings, leading to a deeper understanding and stronger connection with your beliefs. It is an opportunity to get closer to the higher power of your understanding, nurturing that relationship with your spiritual side.
Developing new habits: The structure and discipline of a spiritual retreat can help you develop new habits, such as regular meditation, that can be incorporated into your daily life. Or perhaps put you on a healthy eating regimen.
Emotional healing: A spiritual retreat can provide the space and support needed to process and heal from past grief, or emotional pain. It is a way to look at deep issues that have played havoc in your subconscious mind and bring the issue to light, where it will lose its power over you. You will do this in a safe and supportive environment. A loving experience team will be your guide as you journey into other areas of healing and comfort. It’s always your choice on if you want to explore areas to let go of.

Full details on this link and to register for the retreat.

Weekend Getaway Retreat

Aug 30-1, 2024

Let Go - Embrace a New Beginning

Crossroads Retreat House

29 Pleasant Grove Road

Port Murray, NJ 07865

Rachel Devine 5/17/24 Rachel Devine 5/17/24

A Holy Pause - Rachel Devine

A rainy morning in New York City and two people experience a holy pause in an Uber cab on the Cross Island Parkway, as they share more than a ride, rather they shared a sacred, God moment together.

When we are forced to pause in life we can take a moment to discover so much about ourselves. It’s in the silence of the pause that we can be awakened to many different aspects of our life. It is in the silence between the notes, that we find a treasure of wealth in our connection to our Higher Power or as I call Him God. This true story is a testimony to an incredible holy pause, which brings so much clarity when we take the time to listen to the message.

It was a rainy morning in New York City. The rain was pounding against my apartment window as I was rushing around to get ready to babysit for my grandson. I glanced out the window to see the water from the rain had flooded the parking area, including my car. The water was past the exhaust pipe. I gasped as I went to find my knee-high boots. When I went downstairs, it looked impossible for me to move my car since the area was flooded all around the parked cars. I went back upstairs, took the boots off, and summoned an Uber car. The uber would be downstairs in 6 minutes.

I made my way down to wait for the Uber car. I called my son to tell him I was delayed. I kept glancing down at the Uber app, and it kept saying, 1 minute for the arrival. Finally, several minutes had gone by when I saw a message on the Uber app that said, “I am here.” I glanced towards the circle of my building, and there was the Uber driver. I was waiting in front of the building, and he was in the circle. I motioned to him, and he drove over to where I was standing. The driver said, “I was waiting around 8 minutes; I was going to leave.” I responded, “Thank you so much for waiting for me.” The app kept saying 1 minute, even though you were here.” He replied, “These apps are not always reliable.” As he pulled out, I told him to take the Cross Island Parkway; it was about a 20-minute ride, according to my app. He wanted to take the Clearview Expressway. The Uber driver reluctantly got onto the Cross Island Parkway. He drove for approximately ½ a mile when there was a dead stop on all cars going both ways. There must have been an accident up ahead. I apologized for urging the driver to get on the parkway, and he said it was fine; he just wanted to get me to my destination. I felt like he probably wanted to kill me for the delay. I was so emotionally distraught over forcing him onto the Cross Island Parkway, which felt like a big mistake. I sat there telling myself I should never direct an uber driver, especially when they have a navigator.

We sat in silence, and I texted a friend, Barbara, to pray for me because my car got flooded and I was hoping it was not permanently damaged. She texted me back and said that she would dedicate her rosary to me this morning. I was so grateful for her prayers. At that point, I sat in the Uber car, feeling responsible for the delay and quite miserable. The traffic was at a dead standstill. As I sat there feeling bad that I persuaded him onto the parkway, I searched my phone to see what happened. I found information that there was a bad accident right before the Northern Boulevard exit, and one person was killed. I couldn’t help thinking that texting and driving can cause these types of accidents. There was a helicopter hovering overhead. The rain was beating on the window as the windshield wipers were going on overdrive. I sat there thinking to myself. Here I was so upset about my car getting flooded and someone just died on the parkway. I found myself blurting that out loud, and the Uber driver, Mo, said, “If we hadn’t been delayed the 8 minutes for this ride, we could have been right in the middle of the accident. I am convinced we were delayed for a reason.”

Wow, I was suddenly thrust into a holy pause. Everything stopped in the real world, and I was thrust into a spiritual realm outside of this world. It felt like I was no longer sitting in the uber car, but in a realm between this world and another one. It was like a cloud had cleared, and the almighty sunlight was shining into the Uber car like a hallow of love from God. I could see, in my mind’s eye, a metaphoric bright light shinning through the miserable rainy day. The silence was welcoming. My thoughts stopped tormenting me about the direction we were going. I started to realize that Mo was right. We were delayed for a reason, and had I seen the Uber driver by my house, we would have headed out 8 minutes earlier than we did. I sat there in this sudden holy pause where life seemed to stand still for quite some time, and what appeared so important earlier was trivial in this holy moment. I suddenly felt safe, and the 90-minute delay didn’t seem annoying anymore; rather, it felt like holy time allotted by God for reflection. All I knew was that we were safe and not in the midst of that horrible accident. I felt incredibly grateful. We were safe, sitting in this Uber car in traffic on a rainy Monday morning. I took a moment to pray for the person who was killed that morning and thanked God for protecting Mo and me.

I initially thought Mo would be so angry at my insistence on going on the Cross Island Parkway, and now we were talking like old friends. Mo was a man very much connected to God. He told me he felt supernatural protection with the 8-minute delay this morning, and I agreed with him. I told him I had seen these synchronized God moments in my life in the past. It was God’s way, at times, of getting our attention. We were both having a spiritual, God-given moment that only we could both fully understand. We continued talking, and he told me he lost his business due to COVID. He had a textile business that went bankrupt because the Chinese company he was affiliated with closed. He was grateful he was able to support his family by driving an Uber cab. He was genuinely happy and grateful. We discussed the impact of COVID on businesses. He had a daughter in college, although he looked too young to have a daughter in college. Mo was originally from Egypt. However, he lived in the US for 25 years. We talked about COVID closures for businesses. I told him our power was at the voting polls, and he semi-agreed and said, “I do my part.”

After a 90-minute delay, the traffic cleared, and we were on our way. When we reached my destination, I handed him a $20 tip. He actually said, "No, that isn’t necessary; it was nice just to meet you.” Wow, that was incredibly kind. That holy pause was at its very high point, and I said to him, “This is the right thing to do. God bless you and stay safe.” I excited the cab as the $20 bill was laid by the cupholder of the car.

Two strangers met under what seemed like regular circumstances; however, God created what I call the holy pause, bringing light and love to what appeared to be a dreadful morning. God reminded us both of the power of gratitude and being thankful for the blessings all around us and the protection of God. It made us realize how precious life is. Our lives touched one another, and I will always remember this holy experience. I was also fortunate when I got home later on to know my car was okay; it just needed to be dried and cleaned out. Another reason to be so grateful.

That is the end of my true story.

So, what are the lessons we can take away from this story? I think the main thing is that God is in charge and that life can change on a dime. And perhaps to live each day to the fullest. And the question begs, why were we spared and the other person was killed? And I guess this is a mystery that no one can determine. Sure, we can speculate, but the reason why things happen as they do will always be just that—a mystery of life and of God’s inner world.

Life is a beautiful, amazing, and mystical experience that has many twists and turns. And this one was a real beauty.