Ready to Serve

December 18, 2025

Synchronicities are a part of life; however, when they occur it can be a complete surprise leaving one to wonder about the meaning of the two events linked by such happenings. Since nothing really happens by accident, the next step is to contemplate the deeper meaning.

Several weeks ago, while staying overnight at a hotel, I decided to go to the Club Room on the 2nd floor for tea. There I saw a woman with very bushy mid length blonde hair, knee-high boots and a short car coat in front of me at the machine. I made a silly comment to get her attention since we were the only two people in the room and I desired some conversation, even momentarily. When she turned around and began to speak, I realized that she was not from the US, based on her demeanor and her quick willingness to tell me that she was in fact from Argentina. I feel a tie to people from Argentina as I travel there yearly to dance tango.

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Her response opened the door to a brief conversation wherein she told me that her profession was in real estate, that she had family in DC and was preparing to fly to NY the next morning very early.  She added that she needed a smaller suitcase for the quick three-day visit (rather than take her larger suitcase with her) as well as needing a warmer coat due to the cold spell along the East Coast. She planned to head out to find both these items shortly. Her name was Susan. I opted to leave it alone and said goodbye leaving for my own room rather than put myself “out there” by offering to help her find the items that she mentioned.

Upon my return to the room, while arranging my things for later that evening, this crazy feeling came over me that I was supposed to help the Argentine lady. But I had missed the opportunity or so I thought. Looking at my watch, I realized that I had a two-hour window before going to my event that evening leaving plenty of open time to go out for a short walk.

When I went downstairs 30 minutes had passed since my visit to the Hospitality room and my meeting Susan. I was shocked to see her at the front desk speaking in Spanish with the desk clerk about where to go to get the desired items. From among the words that I didn’t understand, “Nordstrom Rack” was very clear. I thought how convenient it would be to have a store that has a variety of things and most likely a great store for what she wanted. Since I was planning to take a walk and it didn’t matter where I walked, I went out with her.

Knowing each other for 15 minutes didn’t matter either. We were instant friends and went out together to find the store as dusk approached. I felt like her personal shopper helping her find each article that she wanted with the same expertise that I use for my own shopping adventures. And she was overjoyed with the help.  What color?  How do you want it to fit? She was used to metric and not our system, so sizes and inches didn’t make sense to her. The same was true for the suitcase. I quickly found items and showed them to her, and she tried on the coat that said yea or nay but found one she liked for a reasonable amount. Then the suitcase which she wanted for carryon. What color? How big? I knew the brands and what was good. She was grateful and, in turn, I felt good. Then I had to return to the hotel, while she wanted to stay to shop more for her kids and grandkids.

She wanted to do something for me – like a tea or a meal. But I said, not to worry, and went back to the hotel. Upon leaving for my event later that evening, I asked the front desk clerk if she had gotten back ok and he said yes. I was happy knowing that she returned safely.

I went on to my event feeling like my mission was accomplished. I was called to serve, and I had been of service.

As always, comments are welcome.

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Posted by intuitivelifecoachjoanne

Destiny or Blind Luck?

April 10, 2020

I’ve been thinking about how the events of late regarding the Covid-19 virus reminds me of a movie. Was it ordained by God or rather by some hate monger? What are we meant to learn from it? I see both sides of nature with some people being evil hoarding goods for themselves while others try to share in any way they can. One thing that I know for sure is that we will not be the same, nor will the world ever again. Is this the Apocalypse we are living through? Is it the new world on the other side?

It’s said that when the 10 lost tribes of Israel are found the Apocalypse will begin. They have been found by an Israeli historian. The story is on Amazon and is a great video. But according to the Jewish religious beliefs, it’s not the end but the beginning of the new age. (Check out Amazon for the back story).

Just last month, when I was leaving Buenos Aires 3 days early from my vacation, just hours before the Argentine government closed the borders; hundreds of people were in line many hours early for the last flight back to the US – the one I was on to DC. Many people were then making connections to other parts of the country. There were 12 airports doing testing prior to allowing entry – I had selected routing through Houston – the only airport, as it turned out, that was not doing testing. Those other airports had lines many hours long. I went through quickly. After a 17 hour journey, it would have been horrible to wait in line for hours. Was I lucky or was it ordained?

While I was in the check in line in BA, people were in panic mode. They weren’t thinking straight. I found out I could print my luggage tags at a kiosk rather than wait so long in the main line. So someone watched my bags while I went over to the kiosk and printed my baggage tags. Putting them on is pretty simple. One merely peels the paper strip apart, put one end through the handle and stick the two pieces together. Several groups of elderly people were holding the tags in their hands with empty looks on their faces. As I gazed at these people who clearly needed help, I began to ask if they’d like me to assist in putting the tags on to speed things up. Their empty looks turned into big smiles as I was handed their luggage tags as this single gesture became an act of service. In turn, I was given a rare opportunity to feel good in the midst of a crisis situation. In addition, as I periodically looked up, I could tell that my efforts were being noticed by the United Airlines staff who, with their eyes told me that they appreciated the support too.

I did get home and have been doing safe distancing for these last four weeks. I do appreciate having food and enough money to pay my bills. I know that it could be months that we need to stay inside. I plan to organize my day to do what I can by dividing my time between being active and resting, talking and writing. The hours will go by. At least men are not shooting at us. We are not going to gas chambers. But I’m in the high risk category by virtue of my age. My wish is to live through it, to stay busy, and be of service where I can.

 What do you hope for? Comments are always welcome.

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Posted by intuitivelifecoachjoanne

Hospice – Being of Service

October 1, 2013

Last month I took training for Hospice. It wasn’t easy; even during the sessions I felt emotional as the instructor described the possible scenarios we might encounter in working with those predicted to have only 6 months to live.

ImageNext came the time to select my first client patient. The Volunteer Coordinator sent out a number of emails with possible hospice patient selections. I picked one that was in a reasonable geographic location: and a day that I was available. After preparing myself by making sure I had the necessary paperwork with me, the emergency phone numbers of the hospice organization, and review of this particular client patient’s information, I left home with some in trepidation.
Having arrived, I settled in with my first hospice assignment.

The gentleman had dementia and seemed to feel chatty, in that he wanted to share stories from many time periods in his lifetime. Several stories in particular are worth noting. He seemed to be giving me an overview of his life telling me about how he met his wife, about his children, and some other stories from his childhood. I mentioned that I had a cat in passing just to have a subject to talk. He then decided to tell me about cats that his father had when he was a young man. Unfortunately, his father decided that the 12 cats he had at the time were too numerous and asked his son (this man) to dispose of some. My patient then described in great detail how he took these poor little creatures, put them in a bag, and drowned them in the family pond! I realized that it may have been a painful memory for him; perhaps something that he regretted but he didn’t describe it that way.

It was extremely difficult for me to sit there and listen to the story when I wanted to scream running out of the room in horror thinking of my dear little cat that I love so much in any possible harm coming to him. I love my little rescue guy so much – he’s like a child to me. The emotions that I feel for my little cat were brought up when this patient told me the story from his childhood.
We were taught not to react to anything that the patient says so I had to squash my feelings and just sit there as if he was reading the paper or reciting a shopping list. I had to keep reminding myself of my higher purpose for being there; that I was helping his wife take a break in her caregiving which had been constant for many months. By definition, the doctors had said he was within 6 months of the end of his life. He didn’t seem that frail to me, but then how would I know.

Anyway, I did my best to keep him company and to talk to him as I was there for 3 hours. Eventually I let him rest while I went back to my book. This was how it went for my first hospice visit. Needless to say, it wasn’t an easy visit, nor was it a comfortable experience. That said, it was a blessing for him and for his wife that I was there to assist.

So being of service by volunteering for hospice is not an easy thing to do. It is definitely a higher calling and one that must be carefully thought out before an individual goes down this path. There are great challenges in doing this kind of work. In the end, my first patient taught me that I had done the right thing and that I was moving forward on my soul path since when there is a challenge we challenge ourselves to move forward spiritually.

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Posted by intuitivelifecoachjoanne