OUR JOURNEY ON THE TRAIN OF OUR LIFE; JULY 15, 2020

Shalom dear Readers:

We on earth are all struggling; with cancer, with another serious illness, with the effects of the corona virus as it continues to confine us to our homes and shelters.
How are we coping? Is it easy for any one of us? Perhaps, temporarily, we are  accepting of just being in our confinement. But as time goes on, the challenge grows with the time.

Some choose to be miserable, and for all of us, it is a miserable ordeal that we are dealing with. Having said that, I am suggesting to each of us to find some activity to help us through this most difficult period, which doesn't appear to be disappearing for some time, whether it is our personal physical or mental situation, or just being part of humanity that is being very challenged and limited in our power.

We can just lie or sit there and commiserate from now until tomorrow and on again. No pleasure there. Here are some minute suggestions of coping:

1. Accepting what is. For now, this is the situation, whether we like it or not.
2. Let's reach out to friends by telephone, e mail, what's app, perhaps your connecting to them will help them in their lives, if not feel good for you.
3. Let's use this time on earth to read, which we often in the past, had little time to just be at home to enjoy books, to study , to do sudoko puzzles, crossword puzzles, play music , a great boone to the spirit and surroundings, to organize your library, your home, as best you can in your circumstance right now.
4. When the time goes to 'get off the train of our life', what regrets would we have for not having taken care of? The future is unknown to us as to the when, but we all know that exiting the train at some point is inevitable for ALL OF US.
My prayer for all of us is that we find some source of consolation, by doing what feels right for us right now,  and perhaps taking on a challenge of some activity within our confinement to give us pleasure, to distract us, to do for others, as I hope that others are doing for us.

LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT. Nat king Cole was so famous in his days with that hit song. Let's help ourselves to pleasurable activities, that we can, and not wait for others to give us generously.  By doing activities however simple that give us satisfaction, we are on a better path than waiting to be pleased by others. G. helps those who help themselves! but we need G.'s help as well.

My best wishes for all of us in our boat, or another different boat in this life, is to try to stay upbeat despite the difficult moments that we all have and feel.
Until next writing,
CHW

JUNE 29, 2020 ALONG THE TRAIN OF LIFE......

AMIDST THE STORM OF CORONA; OUR CHALLENGES AFTER THE STORM

During the first part of the corona virus, we searched for answers with teachers, friends, in the Talmud, and in our sources. We survived Passover, many of us alone, using zoom to connect, and in our gardens. We only wanted 'normality'. But it's not here it seems. Could it be that "Normality lives within us, and that we must decide what we shall now define as normality?

How do we want to spend the rest of our lives? what are our dreams now, our priorities? Are we feeling weak or somewhat stronger? Has our life become more real or like a bad dream?

How does all of the above challenge us or weaken us through our cancer or other major illness that we are dealing with? We have fought bravely with our physical and mental disorder! Have we or can we find some oasis of peace and hopefulness amidst this turbulent period?

My 'normal' may be enjoying my home quarters immensely now, and finding time to make telephone calls to friends and relatives the world over, who are in need. It may be allowing myself to delve into Bible texts, magazines, puzzles, that we once allowed ourselves as a treat on the Sabbath. Can we or do we use this present time, and this 'present' of time bestowed upon us to savor our loved ones, who are near and far even more so?

So much or everything is not our choice. But within the realm where we are right now at this moment in time, how can you and I make the best choices for us to enhance what time we DO have now, today? It is a calling to us to know life's limits on earth, and to enhance what we can right now, even with all its limitations, hardships, to rise up and say 'I HAVE NOW'. Tomorrow will take care of itself. NOW, I can give of my love, of my friendship, my encouragement to others AND to myself, while G. gives me this time.

May we all be blessed to realize and value each moment, despite the 'downs' and the 'difficult challenges bestowed upon us.
May G. bless us all in this wondrous but inexplicable world today, of June 2020.
CHW

ALONG THE TRAIN OF LIFE, JUNE 2, 2020

Shalom dear readers:

We all know (but don't want to acknowledge) that we are on the train of life. We are on board, and want and hope to continue endlessly, no matter our pain, our discomfort, our distress. What if we know that we have no tomorrow? "That can't be, says our minds, our hearts. I have so much to live for, to see my children, my grandchildren, my great grandchildren, my partner in life, to watch them develop and 'flower' in their life? "

I have now very recently discovered that a new neighbor, an immediate friend with our minds alike, who dealt with one ailment after another, and then suddenly suffered another attack, and died just now, full of vim and vigor and determination to live through it all, but...
Needless to say, I am devastated at my personal loss of a new sincere friend, where are souls spoke to each other amidst our trials in life.

And so, dear readers, I suggest that we 'choose to live and think positively and to cherish the best of my life' RIGHT NOW. Let's not wait for when I feel better, when I have more strength. Let today be lived as best we can with as much optimism, hope as we can. Let's CHERISH every moment that we have!'

With my best wishes for this month of June. You may have noticed that I am lately adding on another blog mid month.
You are welcome to right back to me at any time.
CHW

ALONG THE TRAIN OF LIFE; MAY 22, 2020

Shalom dear readers.

FEAR
Yes, I am a fearful person. It seems that my children know the I am afraid of change, of difficult decisions,  of taking chances. this has held me back at times, but....
Nonetheless, I ultimately DO take the challenge, even while still afraid. Having gone through cancer myself, I can bond and understand what others have gone through, and identify with  your fears and worries.

During a visit for a cancer check-up yesterday, I read the following sign, which spoke to me.

   מי שלא מעז לא מצליח  ONE WHO DOESN'T DARE WILL NOT BE SUCCESSFUL.

That sentence spoke to me. I feel the fear, BUT I then do the action needed.

Over the many years of my life, I have had tremendous challenges, both for the good and some very negative events. Yes, I was afraid!  BUT...then I picked myself up and acted as needed. Each one of us views the other as fearful, proud, shy, etc. But we do not necessarily show on the surface many of our life events that have troubled us, broken us, worried us, challenged us.  BUT, I quote from a wonderful book that has influenced me many many years ago, whose message I still try to live by.

'FEEL THE FEAR, BUT DO IT ANYWAYS'.  Susan Jeffers, I thank you for your books. You helped me and many others along our path of life.

And so, on our train of life, dear readers, we know of our own challenges, our fears of the moment, and worries about our future. If we knew what is coming, and we all know that eventually we leave this wonderful world and our beloved ones, can we DARE to LIVE OUR LIFE RIGHT NOW, as best we can. I challenge each of us to mark down ten things you would still like to do NOW, TODAY, that would please you, that would help you laugh , and enjoy the moment. We have RIGHT NOW to live the moment, the day, even through the pain and great discomfort.

I pray that for the end of May and on to June, when we meet again, that we take each possible good action that will let us smile, love, and feel the warmth of life. Let's remember, it's o'kay to be afraid, but let's not sit in the mire of fear, but pick up the challenge and say, I have right now. TODAY. LET'S LIVE POSITIVELY, both in mind and in action, as difficult as it may be.

I wish each of us the best in our thoughts and love of another, love of this planet earth that we are on, and carry on as best, yes, as best we can to overcome, to accept and to pick up the challenge.
LET'S DARE to laugh, to enjoy, to dream, to be thankful to G.d , to good things for ourselves, and for others, where possible. Let's be FREE to ask for what we need.

With my best wishes always,
CHW

ALONG OUR TRAIN RIDE OF LIFE, MAY 2020

Shalom dear readers:

As we continue to travel on the train journey of our life, we are once again at the beginning of a new month, with new and old challenges, trials, ups and downs.
If I were to ask you to elicit the downs and difficulties you are facing at this moment, it would be easy to do. We all know what is lacking, missing, disturbing, unacceptable, difficult, and threatening.
Some drown us -downers, these most difficult realities and are down in our mood and ability to cope.

But amidst and despite all of the above, I am suggesting that we take a jar or cup and write items to put into this cup daily, weekly, as the thought comes to us, of what we have right now that we are GRATEFUL for. We will build up our gratitude jar as something comes up that we are so happy to receive, to feel, to have been touched by, and build up our GRATITUDE JAR .It can  be done daily, once a week, or whenever we are moved to be thankful for some event, some comment, some feeling of wanting to say thank you, dear G., thank you dear friend, thank you dear universe.
I am amazed that as I sit down to write in 'MY BOOK OF ABUNDANCE', which I have been doing since 1996, how much I really do have positive in my life, despite all the downers and difficulties along side.  It can be done daily, weekly, or whenever your feeling is :I need to think of the good things that I do have in my life. The negative features I know too well. But when I take the times to list in short phrases, sentences, on slips of paper, or in a regular notebook, dating each entry ,I find myself amazed and so very thankful, grateful for all these pluses that keep me going, keep me pushing ahead to override the negative reality of illness, corona virus no-no's, painful body and soul happenings, and still hang in and say and write down what I DO HAVE in my life that is making me feel it's worth it all.
I CHALLENGE all of us to open up our positive messages and feelings that are coming our way and downplay our negative happenings which want to drown us in despair. Saving these daily, weekly, monthly or whenever it feels right to do feelings of thankfulness, of GRATITUDE, can and do lift us up to continue on with some hope and pleasant feelings.

We can do it on our laptop, in a notebook, in a jar that fills up and then we get another jar, and slowly build so many things that are grateful for. Some things I enter over and over at each writing and savour the wonderful people, books, prayers, situations, that encourage us to continue on.

G. bless all of us until next month, G. willing.
CHW

ALONG OUR JOURNEY OF LIFE 24/4/2020

Shalom dear readers:
Wherever we are in this world, we are all in the world of corona. How are we coping, accepting, this drastic change in our lives? All is new, different, strange, frightening, threatening, and forcing upon  us a time of total abstinence from the outside world, of shopping, meeting friends, enjoying a coffee , going to movies, etc.
For those of us who are ill with a specific illness, we have had practice in being alone in our home, apart from the world outside with life in its fullest of running, walking, visiting, enjoying.

How does this 'being totally isolated'  feeling affect us? Are we able to accept the difficulties presented in this corona attack, and somehow rise to the occasion as we have during our past and present difficulties?
I challenge each of us to draw on memories or friendships past and present that give us some hope, some encouragement during this spreading virus period.

For example, when I had to prepare and spend a Pesach seder all alone (for the first time), I was simply blown away! me, prepare and do a seder totally alone? But lo and behold, beyond the upset of the unbelievable, unacceptable spot I found myself in, I was reminded by an old memory of my mother choosing to not come for the Sabbath week=ends , insisting that

 she would NOT be alone-why the Almighty would be with her!

 So I  said to myself that I will rely on the One above to guide me through this unacceptable period and be there with me! Difficult it was, but I DID IT! And all of you can do the unthinkable when presented with it! let's turn the impossible into I will try, I will do it!

My plans for part of the holiday were to go a hotel and save  much preparations in the kitchen. I loved the idea. After all fell through, thanks to the corona situation, I looked around and saw just what a lovely home atmosphere I have without going to a fancy hotel.

 Another memory:

 "Who is rich? He who is content with what he has".

 This is the engraving on my father's monument in the graveyard. And so, and I switched my mental  gear to thinking positively about my comfortable home with all its amenities. Instead of 'what   I do not have , what I will miss out on, I chose to appreciate even more my comfortable surroundings of my home.

The above 2 examples of turning negative to positive are not meant to boast here; we can all try to turn our negative position at this time into a positive feeling and action.
My wishes and prayers for all of us, we each have our difficulties, worries, and negatives to live with-can you and I search deep inside and somehow find and make a positive reaction  and action to the negative.?

I wish you all well in body and spirit until we connect again in May.
Chw

ALONG LIFE'S JOURNEY 3/4/2020

SHALOM TO MY DEAR READERS:

HERE WE ARE, IN ISRAEL, IN CANADA, IN AMERICA, IN EUROPE- BEING SURROUNDED BY THE CORONA VIRUS. IT IS SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE TO COMPREHEND, TO ABSORB, AND SO VERY DIFFICULT TO RISE ABOVE THE WORRY, THE FEAR, THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF OUR WORLD AS WE FIND IT NOW.

THOSE OF US WHO HAVE OR HAVE HAD A MAJOR ILLNESS AS CANCER, OR OTHER LIFE THREATENING DISEASE/ILLNESS,  WE HAVE SOMEHOW LEARNED OR CONTINUE LEARNING HOW TO COPE WITH WHAT WE HAVE BEEN PRESENTED WITH; ALL THE WHILE PRAYING THAT WE CAN OVERCOME, WILL OVERCOME , AND PERHAPS FINALLY HAVING TO ACCEPT THE INEVITABLE THAT WE WILL, AT SOME POINT OF TIME, HOPEFULLY LATER ON THAN SOONER OR IMMEDIATELY, FACE DEATH AT OUR DOORSTEP.

AT THIS POINT OF TIME, I WILL SHARE WITH YOU, MY READERS, TWO MAIN THOUGHTS THAT COME TO ME, AS I PREPARE FOR THE FIRST TIME TO FIND MYSELF ALONE AT HOME, PREPARING TO CONDUCT MY FIRST SEDER ALONE.

BEING ALONE IS WONDERFUL. WE ALL NEED IT AND WANT IT AT TIMES, WHEN WE CHOOSE SO. BUT THIS WAY? I REMEMBER THAT MY MOTHER, MAY SHE REST IN PEACE, OFTEN WOULD NOT COME TO ANY OF US CHILDREN FOR A SHABAT. WE ASKED HER WHY WOULD SHE WANT TO BE ALONE. HER ANSWER: 'BUT I AM NOT ALONE, I AM WITH THE RIBON SHEL OLAM RIGHT HERE IN MY HOME.
I KNOW THAT I WILL G. WILLING,  CONDUCT MY SEDER WITH THE RIBON SHEL OLAM CLOSE BY TO GUIDE ME.

2ND MAJOR THOUGHT OF MINE: OFTEN BEFORE PESACH, MANKIND IS KNOWN TO RUSH AROUND BUYING NEW CLOTHES, NEW DISHES AND ACCESSORIES, AND SPENDING GREAT AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO THAT END.
AND I PLAN TO SPEND MY SOLITARY SEDER, I AM REMINDED OF WHAT WE CHILDREN WROTE ON MY FATHER'S GRAVESTONE. 'WHO IS RICH? ONE IS SATISFIED WITH HIS LOT IN LIFE". I FEEL IN THE DEPTH OF MY SOUL, THAT I AM CONTENT OF WHERE I AM, IN MY MODEST HOME (WHICH I RENT AND NOT OWN), WITH MY LIFE AS IT IS AT THIS POINT, AND FEEL THE CONTENTMENT OF RICHNESS OF BEING ALIVE,  AND SOMEWHAT USEFUL TO OTHERS. I AM BLESSED FROM WITHIN ME BY THE KINDNESS GIVEN TO ME WITH PHONE CALLS FROM EVERYWHERE, FROM PEOPLE FROM PAST AND PRESENT,WITH SHABAT MEALS SENT TO ME AS WELL AS DURING THE WEEK, TO THE OUTPOURING OF CARING AND KINDNESS.  THESE ARE THE 'SHLEECHIM', THE MESSENGERS OF HASHEM/G.D IN THIS WORLD, HIS ANGELS!

I WISH EACH ONE OF US  THE STRENGTH TO COPE WITH WHAT WE MUST, AND TO FEEL THAT A HIGHER SPIRIT IS WITH US TO SHARE OUR PESACH/EASTER, OUR SHABAT, OUR PRAYERS IN OUR OWN HOMES AS THIS TIME DEMANDS WE DO.

G. BLESS UNTIL NEXT MONTH, G. WILLING,]
CHW