Along Our Ride on The Train of Life - August 2023

Shalom dear readers:

Let’s share some time together as we continue on our train ride through life. Somehow, whatever the challenge or difficulty, we do so much better when we do not experience it alone. Many of us carry some fragments of clothing/personal items of someone whom we have lost, and somehow it makes us feel a little less alone. Friendship and listening to one another somehow eases the pain. Being part of a community provides the strength to share and sensitivity to others’ pain.

 

King David cried out, “My G., my G., why have You forsaken me?” Psalms (22:1),

and “From the depths I cry to You” (Psalms 130:1). We learn that it is important, during an emotional crisis, not to be alone. Reach out to others to heal them from depression. We learn from the Torah to include orphans and widows in our festive celebrations, and to visit the sick, comfort mourners, and include the lonely. Just being there for another is part of the cure. Life is not only about us! Humility is thinking of yourself less.

 

Rabbi Yochanan said, “Wherever you find the greatness of the Holy One, blessed be He, there you find His humility.” Showing strength and gentleness is among the most healing forces in human life.

 

The unpredictability of life can be fascinating, but it can also be fearful!

As Rabbi Sacks wrote in his book “Morality” – “The overemphasis on ‘I’ and the loss of ‘we’ leaves us isolated and vulnerable. It is not good to be alone.”

Let us reach out to one another by telephone or by visiting one another, when possible, to be part of ‘we’, not just ‘I’.

 

Wishing us all a healthy month, with good news, besorot tovot, and a pleasant ride on our train of life.

Until next month, G. willing,

CHW