Dear Friends and Family,
With a devastating storm such as Sandy affecting the entire eastern coast of the U.S., it was hard for me to write my November newsletter.
I'll start off by thanking God and all concerned that my entire family and close friends are safe and have not been physically hurt, as of this writing. Nevertheless, we've all have experienced loss of some kind.
I, myself, was stranded at first in Anaheim, then in Los Angeles, during the storm. I was on a business trip and was unable to get back to New York until late Thursday evening. The hardest part for me was watching the devastation that was going on back home and not being there with Liz and family.
Fortunately, that was the hardest part for me. I returned home to no electricity, heat or gasoline, which in the grand scheme of things is not that bad.
I watched as my childhood memories of the Rockaways in Queens, NY have been washed away. Our summer vacation place on the Jersey shore may no longer be there. I'm told the NJ Shore line has been completely altered.
The hardest part, of course, was hearing about the loss of life and homes.
I want to thank all the firefighters, police, EMS personnel and all the first responders who, without thinking of themselves, are always giving to others first.
Thankfully, as always at times like this, we all put our best foot forward and think of others and how we can support and help them. There are so many ways we can do that through wonderful groups that have provided much-needed support to the hurricane victims; groups such as the Red Cross, AmeriCares, ASPCA, Occupy Sandy, Gray Beards and many others. Click on the links provided to learn how you can contribute your time or money to any of these organizations.
Another way to support the hurricane victims is certainly through prayer and meditation. It has been proven that group prayer and meditation brings stability where it is lacking. It is something everyone can give; anytime, anywhere.
As we look forward to Thanksgiving, I'm sure it will have a deeper level of meaning to all of us who have been affected by Superstorm Sandy.
Even as Liz, Elaine and myself leave on our visit to John of God, the small inconveniences of no electricity (Friday evening Liz and I began to receive much welcomed heat in our home), rationed gasoline, and traffic being affected by the lack of gas and electricity, seem trivial compared to the stories that are unfolding.
It certainly is a time to be grateful. Happy Thanksgiving!
Namaste,
Michael | 
