ALONG OUR RIDE ON THE TRAIN OF LIFE, JULY 2, 2023

Shalom dear readers:

In Pirkei Avot, we read:

‘Who is rich? The one who rejoices in his lot.’

As a fellow traveler on our train ride of life, how do we cope with our trials and tribulations, and yet rejoice?

For many of us, IT’S WINTER  in our lives!

In this new season of our life, unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things that we wish we had done but never did.

There are regrets: things we wish we hadn’t done, things we should have done, but indeed there are many things we are happy to have done. It’s all in a lifetime.

So, if you’re not in your winter yet, let me remind you that it will be here faster than you can think. Whatever you would like to accomplish in your life, do it quickly! Don’t put things off too long. Life goes by quickly. So do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether this is your last winter or not. We have no promise that we will see all the seasons of our life, so live for today and say all the things that you want to your loved ones, to remember and hope that they appreciate and love you for all the things you have done for them in all the years past.

Life is a gift to us. The way you live your life is your gift to those come after. Make it a fantastic one. Live it well! Enjoy today, do something fun. Be happy. Have a great day!

Remember, it is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

It’s not what you gather but what you scatter that reveals what kind of life you have lived.

 

And let’s consider the following. Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, yet the youngest you will ever be.  So, enjoy this day while it lasts!

Your kids are becoming you, but your grandchildren are perfect.

Going out is good. Coming home is better.

You may forget names, but it’s o’kay because other people forgot they even knew you.

The things you used to do, you no longer care to do, but you really do care that you don’t care to do them anymore.

You sleep better in an easy chair with the TV or radio blaring than in bed. It’s called “pre-sleep.”

You miss the days when everything worked with just an ON and OFF switch.

You tend to use more four-letter words. “What? When”

Now that you can afford expensive jewelry, it’s not safe to wear it anywhere.

What used to be freckles are now liver spots.

Everybody whispers.

You have three sizes of clothes in your closet, two of which you will never wear. But old is good in some things: old songs, old movies, and best of all, old friends. So stay well, old friends.

It’s not what you gather but what you scatter that reveals what kind of life you have lived.
Kindness to others is TIKKUN YISRAEL. Going to visit the sick, comforting  mourners, to bring joy to a bride and groom, are Tikkun Yisrael.

 ”Let’s love our neighbor as ourselves.” ‘Kol yisrael arevim zeh bazeh”, meaning all of Israel is responsible for each other, is another expression of tikkun Yisroel.

Here’s hoping that we all find ways to cope with the ‘winter’ period in our lives, and to despite the challenges, live as best we can looking forward to our gift of life’s upbeat occasions to celebrate and appreciate all that we DO HAVE!

Until we meet once again, G. willing, next month,’

CHW