In The Moment
January 4, 2019
I hope you had a nice holiday….
It seems like a lot of planning goes into
The Christmas celebrations and then…
In a blink of an eye
The holidays slip by…
Our family was able to get together a few times
During the holiday season
I found myself eating…
Way too much and thinking…
All the time I put toward healthy eating
Trying to maintain my weight all year
Just… went out the window
I hid my scale…
I think I will start dieting tomorrow…
Now it is back to reality…
2019 kicks off and I am excited about…
The possibilities
For the last 35+ years
I start each year
By going on a retreat
I approach each retreat with
No expectations…
However….I find Malvern has always been
A humbling experience
Our lives are so fast paced
We find ourselves running in 10 different directions
Constantly putting out fires
Our minds are racing…
We are thinking about….
What just happened and….
What are we going to do next…
What happens to the time in the middle of…
What just happened….and what to do next…
It is called…The Present
I think John Lennon said it best…
Life is what happens
While we are busy making other plans
While at Malvern
I pray to slow down…
Help me to appreciate
The moment
I force myself
To take time and
Look at the gifts
I have been blessed with
Then I ask myself…
Am I using these gifts
To the best of my ability…
That is always the toughest question to answer
We may beat ourselves up at times
But we make it easy to give ourselves a pass
However…
This is a very important question…
My life question…
What am I doing with the gifts I have been given…
Malvern gives me the time to reflect on…
What is my life’s purpose…
I pray for the grace…
To help me to be present
In every moment
And…
To use these gifts
To the best of my ability
We Have a Choice
December 6, 2018
An article caught my eye recently
A high school football coach
Suspended his entire team
After the school’s guidance counselor alerted him
Of an online bullying incident
Involving some of the players
The coach couldn’t be sure
Which players were responsible
Since the site allows users to
Remain anonymous
So…. he suspended all the players
At that point…
The coach outlined
A community outreach program
That would allow the student-athletes
To earn their jerseys back
The coach went on to say….
“Good character is more to be praised
Than outstanding talent…
Most talents are, to some extent, a gift…
Good character, by contrast, is not given to us.
We have to build it…piece-by-piece…
By thought…By choice…Courage… and Determination.”
This coach showed
Great leadership and character…
Handling this incident
I am thankful for the years I participated in sports
We had great coaches over the years
Who taught me great discipline and humility…
I have seen many individuals
Blessed with great talents
Come and go…
They were expecting…
Not accepting
Humility…is accepting these talents
As a gift…
Using them to make the people around you better
A good friend shared the below saying
After they read one of my newsletters
I think it ties in perfectly…
Thoughts become words
Words become actions
Actions become habits
Habits become character
Character is everything
Every Day is a Gift…..
Christmas is upon us…
We may have the perfect present to decorate the coffee table
Help your friends or love ones brush up on their Beach Etiquette…
Check out the link to my new book…
Beach Etiquette
Available on Amazon and selected stores in the area.
https://beachetiquettebook.com/
We find ways to save you money…
Thank you for your referrals
Blossomed
October 22, 2018
I received news the other day
That one of our aunts died…
Good ole Aunt Joe
She was one of my father’s sisters
I have a lot of fond memories of her
While we were growing up
She was a great lady
Always smiling…
A quick wit
Loved her family
Loved my dad
She would always say…
I was his baby sister
Until Boots came along
It got me thinking…
We shared so many memories with…
Our parents…Grandparents…
Aunts and Uncles
While we were growing up
But we knew so little about them
Thinking back
I remember all of us getting together…
Family holidays…Family parties
Trips to the shore
Everyone was….
Laughing…Teasing…Taunting each other
Just like all siblings do
You could feel the love they all had for each other
Yet…when they were on their own
They became very private
My sister Mo was speaking with our Dad
Several years before he passed away
She said…
I have known you my whole life
But I find I don’t even know you
Do you mind if I ask you some questions
About your life growing up
His response…
No real personal ones…
That answer stopped her in her tracks…
She hesitated to proceed
Today…Things are different
People are living their lives…
All over facebook…
I am eating dinner at….
I just went for a bike ride thru…
Can’t wait to go to…
The conversations go on and on…
I worked with my Pop
For 25 years
He was a great inspiration
And a mentor…
Yet I find…
I knew very little about
The influences
That made him the man
We all admired
Growing up
Living thru the depression
Fighting in World War II
Those issues
May that have silenced him
As it silenced others…
Those experiences
May have also drove him
As it drove others
Their whole generation
Came out of the depression
Came out of the war
With a vision to…
Never let that happen again
Working to establish a career
Wanting to provide for their family
Never let that happen again
With this attitude…
Many went on to
Exceed their expectations
Many did find the American Dream
The United States grew as a nation and…
Blossomed
May we all learn from the example they set
The Magic Bank Account
July 27, 2018
Recently, a friend reached out to me and sent the below message. Thank you, John, for thinking of me. I would like to share it with you…
George, This is you!
John
THE AUTHOR IS NOT KNOWN. IT WAS FOUND IN THE BILLFOLD OF
COACH PAUL BEAR BRYANT, ALABAMA, AFTER HE DIED IN 1982.
The Magic Bank Account
Imagine that you had won the Following *PRIZE* in a contest:
Each morning your bank would deposit $86,400 In your private account
for your use…..
However, this prize has Rules:
The set of Rules:
1. Everything that you didn’t spend during each day would be taken away from
you.
2. You may not simply transfer money into some other account.
3. You may only spend It.
4. Each morning upon awakening, the bank opens your account with another
$86,400 for that Day.
5. The bank can end the game without warning; at any time, it can say,
Game Over!” It can close the account and you will not receive a new one.
What would you personally do?
You would buy anything and everything you wanted right? Not only
for yourself, but for all the people you love and care for. Even for
people you don’t know because you couldn’t possibly spend it all on
yourself, right?
You would try to spend every penny, and use it all, because you knew
it would be replenished in the morning, right?
ACTUALLY, This GAME is REAL… Shocked ???
YES!
Each of us is already a winner of this *PRIZE*. We just can’t seem to see
it.
The PRIZE is *TIME*
1. Each morning we awaken to Receive 86,400 seconds as a gift of Life.
2. And when we go to sleep at night, any remaining time is not credited to us.
3. What we haven’t used up that day is forever lost.
4. Yesterday is forever gone.
5. Each morning the account is refilled, but the bank can dissolve your
account at any time WITHOUT WARNING…
SO, what will YOU do with your 86,400 seconds?
Those seconds are worth so much more than the same amount in dollars.
Think about it and remember to enjoy every second of your life, because
time races by so much quicker than you think.
So take care of yourself, be Happy, love deeply and enjoy life!
Here’s wishing you a wonderful and beautiful day…
Start spending….
“DON’T COMPLAIN ABOUT GROWING OLD!”
SOME PEOPLE DON’T GET THE PRIVILEGE!
Every Day is a Gift
It Is a Small World After All
July 14, 2018
I walked onto the beach the other day
After setting up my chair
I went over to one of the guys
I have met on the beach
Over the past couple of years
It was the 1st time I have seen him
On the beach this year
I said…
It’s good to see you again
Are you ready for
Another great summer…
At that point
I felt a little embarrassed
I stopped and said…
I’m sorry…
But I forget your first name
I’m George Hutch
He just chuckled and said…
Just call me JC
That’s always easy to remember
We got into some small talk
And then he started talking about the beach…
The beach is already getting a little crowded…
I can’t believe it…
People are just plopping down
Sitting on top of each other…
Look at all the beach over there
And those people going into the water…
The life guards are 2 blocks away…
What are they thinking…
They are putting other people at risk…
I casually said…
I think you will like the book I just wrote…
You wrote a book…
What’s the title…
Beach Etiquette…
He turns to his wife…
Hey KC…
Come over here
Remember that book you just bought me…
Beach Etiquette
Here’s the guy who wrote it
I love that book
I was always thinking I should write a book about
Beach Etiquette
You did a good job
I was sitting drinking my coffee the other day
And I read a couple of chapters…
I found myself laughing
It’s pretty funny…
I love the art work
Wow…
How about that…
It is a small world after all…
In case you are interested
Check out our website…
https://beachetiquettebook.com/
Several people have told me
They bought a copy
And after reading it…
They went back and bought more copies
To give to their friends
I’ll take that as a compliment
I am glad people are enjoying the book
If you would like a few laughs
I invite you to read the book
Leave a review on Amazon…
The buzz is out there…
This is a grassroots campaign
We need your help to keep it going
We can all brush up on our Beach Etiquette
Heading to the Beach…
June 28, 2018
Hey…have you read my new book …Beach Etiquette?
If not, you should pick up a copy.
It’s great summer reading.
Designed to be the next bestselling coffee table book.
Below are some snippets of the reviews coming in:
• Wait to you read it and allow yourself to chuckle. This book has a
special place on my coffee table
• Such a fun, easy read filled with beautiful illustrations reminding each
one of us on how exciting it is to spend time at the beach,
• It is an amazing collection of what really goes on. It will make you
laugh, it will help you remember those days when you went through many
of the experiences in the book yourself. George did a great job.
• A must-have for any friend of the environment, beach bum, or sun-soaked
surfer
• Most enjoyable book for Beach Lovers
• I loved the illustrations! And the observations…
• Good book Great memories
This is a grassroots campaign and we need your help to spread the word…
If you have a friend who loves the beach…share this email…
We sold over 100 copies in the 1st 30 days. We are hoping we can count on you to hit our next goal of breaking 200 copies.
It makes a great birthday gift for friends / relatives or…
Just a kind gesture…..
I was thinking of you and knew you would enjoy this book…
Visit our website to see a sample of our illustrations and layout…
https://beachetiquettebook.com/
The book is now available on both Amazon and Barnes and Noble
https://www.amazon.com/Beach-Etiquette-George-Henry-Hutchinson/dp/1979773386
Thank you all and hope you enjoy our new book and have a great summer…
Every Day is a Gift
Thank you for your referrals
My First Read
June 18, 2018
This week I was asked by my grandson G V
To read Beach Etiquette to his first-grade class
Being my first reading…
I wasn’t shore how I would approach it
But I felt safe since I was around children
Their expectations would not be too high
I started out by asking
How many schools days were left…
They all shouted…
8 more days….
I then asked what is everyone’s’ plans for the summer…
Is anyone going to the shore…
Their hands started going up
I went thru every student
Where are you going
What will you be doing
For those heading to the shore
I asked them what they liked about the shore
I love going crabbing
I like running into the water
I like jumping the waves
Boogieboarding
They went on and on for a few minutes
Then the teacher finally says…
Ok…
Why don’t we let Mr Hutchinson read his book…
They were all excited…
I read 3 chapters…
Chapter 5…The Passing Lane
About running on the beach
Chapter 6…Having a catch
Reliving the days of playing ball on the beach
Chapter 8…Shake…Shake…Shake
About the hazards of being down wind
Of someone shaking their blanket
The kids loved it…
I received a standing ovation
G V came running up and hugged me
A little girl came running up and said
I want to hug you too…
It was so cute and…
An experience I will treasure
This book is written for anyone
Who likes or enjoys a day on the beach
To feel the sun
Listen to the waves
A feeling of serenity comes over you
I have many memories of
Growing up at the beach
I often stand there
I look around
I take a deep breath and
I am transported to a different time
I can still see people I was growing up with
We were hanging on the beach
Laughing… joking… doing silly stuff
Grabbing our surf boards and darting into the ocean
Playing run the bases or tackle football on the beach
Where did the time go…
I don’t know…
But the memories live on within me
No matter what beach you go to
With a little Beach Etiquette
We will preserve its beauty and pay it forward
Check out our new website…
We have been getting a lot of great reviews
On our new coffee table book
If you are looking for a fun read
Or a great gift for a friend
Click on the links below to order your copy or read our reviews
We would like to add your name to our growing list of reviews
https://beachetiquettebook.com/
Thank you for the kind words
Every Day is a Gift
A Little Spring in Your Step
May 11, 2018
Have you noticed the difference…
There’s a little more spring in your step
People are smiling again
They have shed their heavy coats
No more scarves and sweaters
The sun is shining
Temperatures have shot up to the 70s and 8os
Even hit 90 last week
The trees are blooming
Flowers are popping up out of the ground
Spring is finally here
After a long cold winter
Of running from house to car
People are out walking around
You are finally getting a chance
To meet the new neighbor
Who moved in down the street
During the winter
Wow…They seem like nice people
Enjoy these next few weeks of…
Open windows…
Sunshine and…
Fresh Air
Only 14 days till Memorial Day Weekend
But who’s counting
It’s a Miracle
March 23, 2018
Sometime last August
I noticed a small lump on my face
It was on my left chin
Right below my left lower lip
I thought
It is probably an ingrown hair
I’ll keep an eye on it
By the end of September
I noticed it was getting bigger
I went to the doctor for my annual physical
I asked…
What is this little lump on my face
Oh…It looks like a cyst
No one knows why you get them
It could get bigger
It could get smaller
Or just go away
I wouldn’t worry about it
Most doctors don’t like to cut in that area
For there are a lot of nerves in that area of the face
So…I went home thinking
Maybe this will just go away
Another month passed
I noticed it was getting bigger
Hmmmm…
I should probably get a 2nd opinion
Hey hon…
Do you know a Dermatologist I can call…
Just google Dermatologists in the area
See if you recognize any names
I see a name I know
I call their office
I’m sorry….
The Doctor is not taking any new patients
Can you at least give me a referral…
Do you have any names I can call…
I’m running blind here…
I can give you a couple of numbers
Try these…
Kathy….my associate says…
We went to a dermatologist in Voorhees
We liked him
You might want to give him a call
Sounds good…
Give me the number
I called and got an appointment
It’s just a cyst
It could get bigger
It could get smaller
It may just go away
If I were you…
I would probably cut it out
You don’t want it getting infected
That will hurt
I would need to make a small incision
It will take about 15 minutes
You will need about 3-4 stitches
See the receptionist out front
I can do it on Tuesday
Do I really want this cut out…
Stitches…
Let me get one more opinion
I call another doctor…
It’s just a cyst
It could get bigger
It could get smaller
It may just go away
Is it bothering you…
If not…
I would not do anything
If it starts bothering you
Call me and we can cut it out
I would have to cut from here to here
And you would need about 6 stitches
You’ll have a small scar on your face
You’ll look tougher
Like you got cut in a fight
Do I really want this cut out…
Stitches…
I think I like when he said…
I would not do anything
Another 2 months pass
It looks like it is getting bigger
But sometimes it looks like it is getting smaller
All of a sudden…
My lower left lip is getting numb
I am having trouble opening my mouth
My left chin is getting warm
The bump is getting red…
The cyst is infected…
I start making phone calls…
The doctor can see you in 2 weeks
You don’t understand
It’s infected
I need to see someone now
Not 2 weeks
I’m thinking…
My friend is a plastic surgeon
If anybody is going to cut my face
I might as well go to the best
I call John’s office…
I’m sorry
He’s in a consultation
Can he call you when he is done…
He gets right back to me
I am going to call in an antibiotic
Stop and see me Friday
I walk into his office on Friday
Ohhhh…That looks pretty bad…
You still taking the antibiotic…
I don’t think I want to do anything today
I’ll just clean it up
And get all the infection out
He gives me a local
And starts working on the infected area
Everything is oozing out
He explains…
You have body oils under your skin
Sometimes they come together and crystalize
Then they grow a small skin around it
Like a lima bean
To protect it
That’s what a cyst is
I can see the top of the cyst
I think I can get this…
You feeling alright…
Just like pulling a tooth
He goes in and…
POP….
Wow… look at this thing
That’s been in there for awhile
I think we got everything
Just keep Neosporin and a band aid on it
What….No Stitches…
No… I think it is going to heal fine
Come see me next Friday
It’s a Miracle
No stitches
No cyst
And…
1 week later
There is little evidence
That anything was ever done
Thanks John…
Your hands have been blessed by God
Every Day is a Gift
We find ways to save you money…
Thanks for the referrals
Thank
Ode To March
March 16, 2018
Okayyy….
I’ve had enough of this winter weather…
After teasing us with some above average temperatures
During the end of February
March came in roaring like a lion
Below average temperatures
2 Nor’easters last week
1 Nor’easter just missed us this week
And slammed the New England states
Flooding rains
Whipping winds
7 inches of wet snow
(The trees didn’t stand a chance)
Branches and trees were falling all over the place
We even had thunder snow…
I just heard they are tracking another Nor’easter
Heading towards us next week
Tell me when we can start having fun again…
The snow was so wet and heavy last week
I walked out my back door and…
You could hear the trees cracking
I said a quick prayer….
Please God…
No surprises
I called my wife and told her
You better start heading home
And please
Do not pull your car all the way up
To the top of the driveway
Park down by the end of the driveway
Next to my car
Good thing she listened…
I walked out later
And a big branch had fallen
Right in the driveway
Where she normally parks
The guy down the street was not so lucky
As I drove to work the next day
I saw a large limb had fallen
Right on the front hood of his car
Ouch….
Living in New Jersey
We are used to the cold winters
When I say cold winters…
I’m thinking December, January…February
By March…
We’re tired of all this stuff
After all…
We sprang forward last Saturday night
The 1st day of spring is next week…March 20th
Even Easter is early this year…April 1
So how about some warm weather
P…L…E…A…S…E…
Let’s see March go out like a lamb
Every Day is a Gift
We find ways to save you money…
Thank you for your referrals
