Along Our Train Ride of Life - January 2023

Shalom dear readers:

Thoughts for us to ponder during the winter.

How should we handle life at this point along our ride on the train of life.

• How do we conquer fear?
• How do we think positively?
• How do we accept ourselves right now- where we are - despite our feelings of fear, inadequacy, or pain. To feel fear is fine; to give way to it, is not.

According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Hashem has faith in us even if, at times, the best lack faith in themselves. After Shabbat, we often sing the refrain of well-known liturgical song: “Do not fear, my servant Jacob”. Why do we sing this song specifically after Shabbat? Because when the Shabbat descends upon us, G. spreads a tabernacle of peace upon us; however, when Shabbat departs, fear may take over. When Shabbat is over, we feel the dark night outside and we may fear the difficult weekdays ahead, days bereft of a feeling of revealed divine sanctity. This exactly how Jacob felt when he left the land of Israel and his parents’ home. An angel of G. made him a special promise, “Behold I am with you, and you have nothing to fear!”

  

Let’s try to leave our worries for another day, another time.

There is a saying: “Different strokes for different folks”. And that’s okay! We must believe we are okay as we are, despite all.

Many of us have different ailments (such as scoliosis, or arthritis), and the list goes on for different folks all around us. We keep trying, plugging along with our body and mind.

There are always hazards along our way, but knowing that G. Is with us, gives us strength if we align our will with his.

Remember! Faith is not certainty, but the courage to live with uncertainty.

On the other hand, we can read, think, write, and reach out to others. We can relax and be thankful for every day for life, for our gestures towards other people, and for their offers of help and being there for us as well. In Tehilim chapter 34, it warns us from bad mouthing others, “Who desires life? Love each day to see good! Guard your tongue from evil and your lips form speaking deceit. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

 

I am reminded of the saying: “I’m okay, you’re okay.” We each are what we are, and where we are on our train ride of life. We each have our high and low levels that we are able or not able to do at this moment of time.

 

We are taught to always be happy ((להיות בשמחה תמיד - positive thinking!

It is hard work to be positive after periods of pain, and physical and/or mental stress and difficulties. Who is happy? One who is satisfied with his lot in life.  

איזה הוא עשיר? השמח בחלקו!

 

We are encouraged to think good, and it will be good! Sometimes self-praise is necessary. We tend to be very hard on ourselves! Let’s give ourselves credit for all our efforts!

 

Some of us are addicted to watching/hearing about all the negativity on the news over and over each day! Let’s try to minimize our time spent on negative habits. Perhaps we may think more positively without all of this negativity all around us! Let’s remember to thank G. every day by saying, !מודה אני

 

And so, dear readers, I wish us all a good month ahead, chodesh tov, and the strength and faith to continue on our train ride of life!

Until we meet, G. Willing, in February 2023.

CHW