Opening Day of the Lily Dale summer season is always exciting (sometimes frantic) and wonderful. Lily Dale officially opens at 12:00 p.m. noon with a flag raising and that's when all the summer program of events are set in motion.
In the few hours before the opening ceremony, the grounds of Lily Dale are peaceful, but there is a different feeling in the air --- a sense of anticipation of getting ready to begin something new.
It reminds me of the first day of school or the first day of a new job or getting ready for a first date. And random questions and thoughts arise:
The gate house is up and running with tickets and information for visitors. The hotels and guest houses are ready for boarders. The restaurants are open for hungry and thirsty patrons. The registered mediums (the only ones allowed and approved by the Lily Dale Assembly to do readings on these grounds) are meditating and getting ready for their clients and for the public message services. Others are sprucing up their gardens and hanging flower baskets.
People are doing last minute home repair projects and the occasional sound of a hammer or a saw can be heard faintly. In order to maintain a tranquil meditative environment during the summer season, residents put their major house renovations on hold until the autumn. At noon, sounds of machinery and equipment will quiet.
And I am reminded of how often we hurry up and wait, how we plan (or don't plan), how we look forward to something, and how we hope for the best.
Here's to a great summer of learning, growth, and inspiration. Let's get ready for something wonderful!
In the few hours before the opening ceremony, the grounds of Lily Dale are peaceful, but there is a different feeling in the air --- a sense of anticipation of getting ready to begin something new.
It reminds me of the first day of school or the first day of a new job or getting ready for a first date. And random questions and thoughts arise:
- Gratitude to God for this day
- Better have a good breakfast to set me up right for the day.
- What does my family need?
- What should I wear?
- Do I have everything I need?
- Take another look at the schedule.
- Take a walk to clear my mind and energy in the morning air.
The gate house is up and running with tickets and information for visitors. The hotels and guest houses are ready for boarders. The restaurants are open for hungry and thirsty patrons. The registered mediums (the only ones allowed and approved by the Lily Dale Assembly to do readings on these grounds) are meditating and getting ready for their clients and for the public message services. Others are sprucing up their gardens and hanging flower baskets.
People are doing last minute home repair projects and the occasional sound of a hammer or a saw can be heard faintly. In order to maintain a tranquil meditative environment during the summer season, residents put their major house renovations on hold until the autumn. At noon, sounds of machinery and equipment will quiet.
And I am reminded of how often we hurry up and wait, how we plan (or don't plan), how we look forward to something, and how we hope for the best.
Here's to a great summer of learning, growth, and inspiration. Let's get ready for something wonderful!
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