ALONG OUR TRAIN RIDE OF LIFE: AUGUST, 2022

 

As we travel on our train of life, we find periods of a smooth, tranquil ride, and as well, we experience many curves, difficult periods during our journey, -we may feel weak, tired, somewhat failing in body and spirit, but we somehow need to learn and  cope with, to adapt and to somehow find some sunshine on our life, some peace, and to somehow adapt to what IS.

 

Since CO’VID’S appearance, many of us have cancelled trips, outings, malls, meeting with friends/family. Yet we NEED things to look forward to. What’s exciting about a trip for an outing is ANTICIPATION. Numerous studies suggest that having something to look forward to, improves our mood and lowers our stress. Imagining good things ahead of us makes us feel better in the current moment. A psychologist, Carrie L. Wyland, suggests that at the end of every day, we should write down one thing that we are excited about for tomorrow. Maybe it’s anew book or getting a visitor, a zoom call, etc.

 

The Sabbath time has been called our ‘palace in time’! write Joshua Heschel. We revere this time period of renewal of our faith and bathe in the aura of Shabat. Shabat gives us a quiet time, of peace no television, what’s app checking, - time to relax emotionally and mentally to the outside world of noise and disruption. Time to ‘bathe’ in ourselves, in our connection to the Universe/G.d  What a 24 hour period of BLISS -prayer, food, family, friends, rest for our mind and body!! Time to rest our body and mind and enter the realm of ‘being’, of serenity.

 

Can we think of all our difficulties and decision making as negative, or can we change our mind attitude to of them as CHALLENGES to deal with.

 

There is a saying: “ You’re only as old as you feel.” Let’s aim to be resilient and to practice OPTIMISM, self-esteem, and satisfaction with what we DO HAVE. Putting one foot forward in front of the other, will enhance our physical and mental fitness. There is a power in walking in our country of choice -it is a challenge, and we can do it slowly, and quickly as fits our needs at the time.

 

Bruce Springsteen sang and influenced many of us with his music and optimism. ‘We were born to run” (even if we have to do it slowly). Let’s keep moving along thinking: “I think I can, I think I can, like the little Engin” who puffed his way up the hill, and then puffed: “I thought I could, I thought I could” I DID IT!”

 

Somehow we must accept the constant flux of feelings. The negative thoughts prevent our happiness. Feelings of both positive and negative is what it is. Our constant daily challenge is to somehow count our blessings, (rather than our troubles), and to fill our minds with courage, hope and to help others along their way!

 

Until we meet again, G. willing, in September.

CHW