New York City is an exciting, vibrant place. While on a business trip I had a day to explore its'
many nooks and crannies. Walking is the best way to see this fabulous city. So, equipped with
good walking shoes, a city map, and lots of enthusiasm, I was prepared to explore and see
what I could discover.

What a great day it was! Even with all of the noisy hustle and bustle of the city traffic, the
clamor of street vendors and their patrons, the fast pace of the New Yorkers themselves, I found
myself enjoying being the observer of everything that was going on around me. You don't have
to go to the theater to be entertained in New York. Just find a nice cozy spot on a street bench
and you'll be entertained for hours, free of charge.

While walking within two blocks of Madison Square Garden I noticed a small sign posted in
front of a plain brown building. It welcomed visitors to come into their garden and find some
quiet from the busy world they lived in. Curious, I entered the building through large, darkly
colored glass doors. Within a split second the coolness of the buildings interior relieved the
stress of the heat which was quite intense outside. It was instantly refreshing.

Another small sign was posted, indicating the entrance to the garden. Following the
directions, within moments I found myself in a beautiful environment of bubbling fountains,
creative landscaping with exquisite flowers and plants, including carefully designed quiet
places to sit and relax. I felt I had been transported to a place of no time. Only beauty and quiet
resided here. What a discovery!

After enjoying my visit in this wonderful garden, I found out that a group of monks had
established this natural sanctuary in downtown New York during the early part of the last
century. Even then the city was a chaotic place. The monks felt this would be a haven for those
who needed time for quiet in their busy, turbulent lives. Today it is visited by thousands and
enjoyed for the very purpose it was created for.

We all are very busy people. So frequently we desire to have quiet spaces of time; a place
where we can be in an environment of relaxation and rest that is needed for our bodies, mind
and spirit. Well, you don't have to go to New York to find it, you can have it right where you are.
Be imaginative. Take a few moments to choose your own space/place for yourself. Then set a
time aside just for you. That's what I've done throughout the years and it really works. I used to
take my lunch hour and walk outside enjoying the neighborhoods around my place of work.
Sometimes I would take a notebook, find a restaurant and journal my thoughts while enjoying a
favorite beverage. Today with my busy schedule, I enjoy the early hours of the morning when I
can be by myself to prepare for the day ahead.

A friend of mine selected a room in her house that fits her needs for quiet and meditation
perfectly. Her family understands that when she is in this space they are not to disturb her. It
works well and she has found she deals better with the challenges of being a professional and
handling the needs of the family.

Why do this? When you take time to be quiet, you can clear cobwebs from your mind,
enabling you to 'dump the stuff' you don't need to carry. You can attain insight, solutions to
problems but more than anything else refresh your attitude and disposition towards life. You
actually can do this anytime, anyplace, anywhere but you have to make the choice to do it. It is a
great habit to develop, creating 'quiet time' for your self. The benefits are enormous. Those
benefits 'ripple' throughout every aspect of your day and life affecting all you come in contact
with.

Logan Pearsall Smith, 1865-1946, made this statement. "There are two things to aim at in
life: First, get, its to get what you want; and after that to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind
achieve the second."

When you create your own 'garden of space and quiet', this will enable you to be more
effective at the 'getting' and 'enjoying the having'; to appreciate the richness of who you are. I
think you deserve itdon't you?             Donna Seebo

A strong young man at the construction site was bragging that he could outdo anyone in a feat
of strength. He made a special case of making fun of Morris, one of the older workmen.
After several minutes, Morris had enough. "Why don't you put your money where your mouth
is?" he said, "I will bet a week's wages that I can haul something in a wheelbarrow over to that
outbuilding that you won't be able to wheel back."

"You're on, old man," the braggart replied, "It's a bet! Let's see what you got." Morris reached out and grabbed the wheelbarrow by the handles. Then, nodding to the young man, he said, "All right. Get in." Submitted by B.G., California