The Sound of Ice Cream

I miss the carefree summer days of growing up in New York. And sadly, I regret our children no longer play with the freedom that we once knew. That freedom comes with the fellowship of playing with the neighborhood kids. Of course being in the presence of so many children bought about conflict. Occasionally we’d have a scuffle, but a couple hours later, we’d forgive and forget and play some more.

The highlight of our days involved Mister Softee – the ice cream truck. Hearing the familiar melody serenading our block, summoned us into a panic. We’d run back to our house, call for money from the ground floor of our fort-like built homes. And where was mom? She was always on the top floor at the back of the house. “Ma! Ma! The ice cream truck, can we have some money?”

Sure enough on the days she had a few coins to spare, she’d put them in a paper bag and throw them out of the window. Ah, ghetto style Brooklyn living. I’m not ashamed. Living it built character and taught me that everything doesn’t have to be perfect. You find conveniences and work with what you have.

Certainly, we are not perfect, and neither are our relationships. I believe that is what I learned most about living in our community with so many friends. Not all of us are going to get along at the same time. However, for the most part, no one is going to hold a grudge. For when Mister Softee summons, it means lay it all aside. Run, get your money, chase the truck, enjoy your ice cream and gather with your friends.

Yes, that was the best part. We’d come into a circle of fellowship and cherish our ice cream moments together. Togetherness is what I miss.

In the spirit of summer, I pray we hear the sound of the ice cream truck summoning us to lay aside the differences, accept our imperfections, gather together with family and friends and cherish the ice cream moments. Oh, how sweet it is!

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Inspirational Speaker

Founder: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three - Summer 2014)

(Novel Four - Coming 2014)

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love

Why the Racy Novel?

Uh-oh! I know you’re wondering what this piece is all about. For one, it is not to promote or judge the racy novel. It is to address the question, why are they so popular? It is true, sex sells. As sexual beings, we are so drawn to sex, even when we’re not physically involved, we can mentally engage.

With novels of this genre, the reader knows how the story will mostly likely end…man meets woman; they connect sexually, and live happily ever after. With such a predictable outcome, why bother?  

For some, maybe they read them just for the uninhibited sexual encounters, for others, perhaps they are looking for the romance in it all.

I believe whatever the reason, it has something to do with the prelude of the outcome. Anticipation is excitement, and excitement can be very fulfilling. In other words, I know how this ends, but I want to be actively involved in the process – even if it is mentally.

Can we be as mentally engaged in our personal lives? Are we excited about the journey as well as the destination? For many years, I was not. I focused on the outcome, not the process.

In college I spent many hours considering how long it would take to graduate. I did enjoy learning, but sometimes I forgot about that. With my children, I wanted to take care of them physically, cook and keep the house clean, instead of at times, put that all on hold, and simply play with them. And with my husband, many times I did the same.

I’m a firm believer; if we work hard, we’ll see the goal come to pass. We know how the story will end. But what will we miss along the way? We are writing the stories of our lives. 

I want excitement to reflect in the story of my daily everyday life. I want to go walking, yet stop and marvel at the incredible blue sky, smell the life in the grass, hear the buzz of living things and beings around me. I want to take a moment, laugh at myself, and with those characters in my novel. I don’t want to be just physically involved, but mentally and emotionally. I want to find a breath of fresh air on every page of my life. How exciting...

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Inspirational Speaker

Founder: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three - Summer 2014)

(Novel Four - Coming 2014)

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Why Not...Read for Love

How does a man transform the strength of his character into wisdom? The Man of Steel Answers and Makes my Heart Beat Faster.

I watched Man of Steel last night with the family. I absolutely loved the movie and the actor that played superman, Henry Cavill.

In the movie, Clark Kent struggled for years with The WHY question. Why I am like this? Why am I different? Did God make me like this?

Finally, Clark finds his father’s consciousness and learns what his purpose is. This knowledge gives him hope, confidence, direction.  

I loved this storyline. Clark was so full of physical power, able to defy the odds of nature like no other on earth. Prior to knowing his purpose, he was afraid of how the world would receive him. What would happen if he slapped on the cape, and became a hero and beacon of hope? Consequently, anyone bestowed with such unusual greatness risks being misunderstood, and possibly abused.

But when his native enemies threatened the planet that is home to him and its people, he must choose the cape and every responsibility that followed in the wind. And as such, he must make a choice that goes against the fabric of his being and take his enemy’s life. I am proud to say, he wore the cape upon his shoulders, and indeed wore it well. Trailing in the wind we find respect, admiration, and dignity.

The message in the story made my heart beat faster. Clark learning his purpose, and presented with his test, afforded him wisdom. Having knowledge means knowing better, applying that knowing is doing better. That’s wisdom. And wisdom is much stronger than any physical ability.

The movie served as a reminder to me the importance of seeking the consciousness of my spiritual Father. In Him I find purpose. Just knowing my purpose is not enough. It is what I do that manifests my destiny.  I owe that manifestation to myself and those around me. I am inspired for when Clark Kent followed his destiny, he became a Superman. A very wise decision indeed.

What will you become when you are inspired to follow wisdom?

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Inspirational Speaker

Founder: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three - Summer 2014)

(Novel Four - Coming 2014)

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com

Collecting the Tassels

Graduation Tassels

Graduation, how sweet it is!

Recently my oldest son graduated from High School. Last year my daughter graduated from early college, she earned her HS Diploma and AA Degree.

Their accomplishments were meaningful in their own perspectives. My son was a child that did not like school. Socially, he did well, and for the most part, he was well liked by his teachers. Academically, though, he struggled, especially in math. In his junior year, things went south, very south. It forced our family into a doubtful place. We wondered if our child was going to make it. Of course, as a mom, it sent me into fighting mode. I was not allowing the evils of this world to have my son – not without a fight.

Thankfully, with the help and support of consistent prayer, our pastor, church, family and friends, he pulled it together. He graduated June 14, 2014!  He is now enrolled to begin college in July.

For my daughter, her accomplishment was admirable. Even when children have the same mother and father, and are reared in the same household, they still are very different. For my daughter, on a social level, although outgoing, she suffered with feelings of isolation, low-self esteem, and was bullied. In middle school she decided she needed to be in a HS that focused more on academics and less on whose dating whom, or whose wearing what.

She applied and was accepted into the Early College in our county. Things turned around very swiftly for her. We LOVED the school environment and she thrived, both socially and academically. She graduated May 8, and May 9, 2013! She is entering her senior year of college in the fall with hopes of continuing on to Law School.

I have done my best with my children. As a mom I’m always afraid my best isn’t good enough. Thank God for prayer and His guidance. I am beyond proud of my children. So as I love them, support them, listen to them and try to continue to guide them, I also rejoice, knowing the most important thing I have given them is my faith. With faith all things are possible!

Now I sit back, enjoy the graduations and collect the tassels from their graduation caps. I also have my youngest to prepare. He’s starting first grade in the fall. Another journey and I’m so looking forward to collecting his HS tassel as well. My children have told me that I cannot have their college tassels. I guess that’s OK. In the end, they’re the ones that have earned them. To God be the Glory!

Brook Lynn Dorcent

Author/Inspirational Speaker

Founder: JUST WRITE! - A Club for Writers

Missing the Mark (Novel One)

Pressing Toward the Mark (Novel Two)

Forgetting Betrayal (Novel Three - Summer 2014)

(Novel Four - Coming 2014)

Spirit Over Will (Devotional)

www.brooklynndorcent.com