ALONG THE TRAIN OF LIFE, SEPT. 2020

Here we are in September 2020, trying to deal with our personal issues of health, as well as the unbelievable threatening virus of Corona appearing in all parts of the world, and especially in our own personal domain. It all seems threatening, and totally unbelievable, and unreal!

One can get and does get very depressed and 'down', trying to deal with this whammy we are confronted with.

How do we help ourselves to muddle through and accept what we must; for ourselves, our loved ones, and to keep going, feeling so more secluded than ever?

There are no magic answers. I know in my head that we must try to be resilient,  and develop some sense of serenity. The natural reaction is to be negative, and being so consumed with our own personal health issues, and by the world issues of corona, that we tend to be blurred with how to deal with all of this objectively. How can we create an abundance of light and hope?-these are most difficult challenges.

As I have expressed in my previous blog, we each need to find some soothing aspects of life to delve into: reading material that keeps us motivated, by calling friends form far and near, reaching out to others who need encouragement as much as we do. For some, art work, even when being immobile, music - a source so soothing and encouraging. Let's try pampering ourselves as best we can while homebound and struggling. Each of us is encouraged to look within, and see what helps us forget for a moment, the heavy load of what we carry, let's explore zoom courses on the computer, bringing in personnel to teach us , to encourage us, to try deep breathing , meditation. The list goes on.....

'IF I AM NOT FOR MYSELF, WHO WILL BE? A famous saying that tells us-yes, we need to be kind to ourselves, not to just wait for others to make it all better.

Another inspirational statement that has help me was written by Rav Nachman of Breslov:

"KNOW THAT MAN OFTEN MUST CROSS A VERY NARROW BRIDGE, BUT THE ESSENTIAL THING  TO REMEMBER IS TO TO CONQUER OUR FEAR, AND DO IT ANYWAYS".

Susan Jeffers authored a memorable book : 'FEEL THE FEAR BUT DO IT ANYWAYS'.

Let's not be too hard on ourselves. Let's breathe deeply, accept what we must, but act in our best way to deal with our fear, as our life seems now so distorted and isolating, and to accept help from whatever feels right for us.THIS TOO SHALL PASS! But we need patience and acceptance that not all is our hands to change. We CAN fight the good fight in life, and I hope that we meet again next month to share together, to rise above our negativity and say to ourselves: I HAVE TODAY! TOMORROW WILL BE HANDLED TOMORROW! 

G. bless each of us in this most trying time.

Until next month, my prayers are with each and every one of us.

CHW

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ALONG OUR JOURNEY ON THE TRAIN OF LIFE, AUG. 5, 2020

ALONG OUR JOURNEY ON THE TRAIN OF LIFE; AUG. 3, 2020

How simple it is to give others advice, ideas, opinions, of how to cope with a major illness like cancer, and yet how difficult it is to keep our heads, our hearts, our minds, optimistic , and to just simply take everyone's suggestions and tips of  how to cope.

The Corona virus has shown us that at the moment, we can't beat it or rush it away, to just wear our masks and be home free, or to isolate ourselves, and yet somehow we may find ourselves testing positive. Our particular illness is our burden to carry, and to deal with our heart, our emotions, our minds, our souls. Each of us has to find, if possible, ways to not only cope with what IS, but how to lighten our load. Some love to read, some enjoy speaking via the telephone with special friends and family; some are TV watchers, some use prayer and religious studies to ease their soul; some use art, puzzles, games as bridge , rummikub, etc.

I mention the corona virus, because it has taught us and is teaching us that as much as we would like to think that we are in control of our lives, we have been grounded in many ways; physically, mentally,emotionally, socially. We are simply part of this universe and while still on the train of life, we will and are meeting up with challenging and difficult long term conditions.

I send you my sincere best wishes that you and I will continue to search, to find positive activities: meditation, prayers, music,- whatever soothes us, and enable us to 'hang in there', and to deal as best we can with the now, the today, the tenuous future for ourselves and for mankind. And....sometimes /often, we are 'down', sad and weepy. That too has its place. BUT ......WE RISE TO THE CHALLENGE AND TRY ONCE AGAIN TO COPE WITH WHAT IS!

G. bless all of us. Feel free to write back to me, no name needed. I appreciate all comments.

BLOG: chayaofjerusalem.blogspot.co.il

 

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