ALONG THE TRAIN OF LIFE. JAN. 2022

 JANUARY, 2022  RESILIENCE

RESILIENCE 

We know that suffering is part of life; all human beings will and have tough times. I have tried to understand the meaning of 'resilience'. Here are some definitions.

1. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats.

2. Resilience is the integrated adaptation of physical, mental and spiritual aspects in a set of 'good or bad' circumstances, a coherent sense of self.

3. Resilience is what gives people the psychological strength to cope with stress and hardship.

4. Resilience is the ability to adapt to difficult situations. When stress, adversity or trauma strikes, you still experience anger, grief and pain, but you are able to pick up and be able to be happy, successful, etc. after something difficult or bad has happened, despite the trauma.

In my personal life, I have had very close friends and acquaintances die recently. The loss is so very sad, hard and unbelievable. It makes death so much closer; is it my turn soon? With all the physical and mental issues that I have to deal with in my own life, is my death imminent? Thinking like that comes to me. BUT somehow, we pray that we still have some time on earth to somehow cope, live, carry on, despite the negatives and difficulties. Writing my monthly blog helps me and hopefully all of you readers. We are all on the train of life; some are boarding the train as we did as young children, adults, and some are getting off of the train as their time on earth is over. BUT while we live, let us be strong, resilient, happy as much as possible, and enjoy all that we  love - our families, our friends, our love of reading, or meeting a friend (during Corona Omicron, I dare not say meeting with many friends at once. )

Let us be GRATEFUL  for all the good that we have! let's be helpful, pleasant, and find the good wherever we can! Let us do GOOD to others where and when we can - a smile, an encouraging comments, a compliment... a phone call to dear ones close by and afar! A long distance call can lighten up the day to the one afar, showing that you care and are close by in heart and mind.

What is each one of us grateful for?

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Each one of us is encouraged to think and fill in for herself both mentally and written down as a reminder to ourselves, of what we are grateful for. We can thus reduce the grief in our minds and souls. It is a goal for each of us to strive for! Accept the GOOD in our lives, despite all the negatives!

Until we meet again, G. willing, in Feb. 2022, G. bless us all in our ride on the train life!

CHW

 

 

ALONG OUR TRAIN RIDE OF LIFE: DECEMBER, 2021

As we are presently in the atmosphere of Chanukah , I know that for many of us, it may be quite emotional and difficult, despite the lights all around us, the getting together of family/friends, and yet, some/many of us find it quite difficult to ‘cheer up’ and smile despite all.

And so, my blog at this time will be to share with us all a message from Louise L. Hay, whose poster hangs in my office, and reading it once again, made me decide to quote her message entitled:

‘HOW TO LOVE YOURSELF’

1.    STOP ALL CRITICISM. Refuse to criticize yourself. Accept yourself as you are. When you criticize yourself, your charges are negative. When you approve of yourself, your changes are positive.

 

2.    DON’T SCARE YOURSELF. Stop terrorizing yourself with your thoughts. It's a dreadful way to live. Find a mental image that gives you pleasure – e.g. yellow roses, and immediately switch your scary thought to a pleasure thought.

 

3.    . BE GENTLE AND KIND AND PATIENT. Be gentle with yourself as you learn the new ways of thinking. Treat yourself as you would someone you really love.

 

4.    BE KIND TO YOUR MIND. Self-hatred is only hating your own thoughts. Gently change your thoughts.

 

5.    PRAISE YOURSELF. Criticism breaks down the inner spirit. Praise builds it up. Praise yourself as much as you can. Tell yourself how well you are doing with every little thing.

 

6.    SUPPORT YOURSELF. Find ways to support yourself. Reach out to friends and allow them to help you. It is being strong to ask for help when you need it.

 

7.    BE LOVING TO YOUR NEGATIVES. Acknowledge that you created them to fulfill a need. Now you are finding new, positive ways to fulfill those needs. So lovingly release the old negative patterns.

 

8.    TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY. Learn about nutrition. What kind of fuel does your body need to have optimum energy and vitality? Learn about exercises. What kind can you do and enjoy right now? Cherish the temple that you live in.

 

9.    MIRROR WORK.  Look into your eyes often. Express this love you have for yourself. Talk to your parents/family while looking into the mirror. Forgive them too. At least once a day say: “I love you, I really love you.”

 

10.                    DO IT NOW. Don’t wait until you get well, or get the new job, the new relationship. Begin now-DO THE BEST YOU CAN.

 

I PRAY FOR ALL OF US: IN SPITE OF EVERYTHINGS, SAY

‘YES’ TO LIFE!  Until we meet again in Jan. 2022, G. willing,

CHW

 

ALONG OUR RIDE ON THE TRAIN OF LIFE, NOVEMBER, 2021

 

 

ALONG OUR RIDE ON THE TRAIN OF LIFE, NOVEMBER, 2021

 

Shalom dear Readers:

As I ride on the train of life, I am aware of my fears and worries, and, as well, thankfully, of my goal of awareness, inner peace, and positive actions.

As the writer of my blog,  I am trying to help both myself and all readers of my blog, as we all cope with our issues in life.

 

FEAR

We are advised not to be AFRAID. Life is incredibly precious and we don’t get the minutes back. So let’s see if we can change from:

“I will be happy when…..into I am GRATEFUL now because…..

 

Fear does not stop death.  It stops life!

And WORRYING does not take away tomorrow’s trouble. It takes away today’s PEACE.

 

From Rebbe Nachman Breslev we learn that:

‘MAN HAS TO PASS OVER A VERY VERY NARROW BRIDGE.” The main principle in general is to NOT BE AFRAID.

 

The sages ask us to shine a light on the POSITIVE things that we see around us and to focus on those. When we examine ourselves, our family members, and our environment-not through a critical prism, but by focusing on the good points.

 

A Chasidic saying tells us: “THING GOOD AND IT WILL BE GOOD.” Our thoughts influence, if not determine our reality.

 

AWARENESS: “Awareness is the greatest agent for change, “ says Eckhart Tolle. 

 

Hopefully, by practicing and following some or all of these tips, we can find some INNER PEACE. Our attitude determines our happiness and fulfillment. Habits create success. TIME is our great treasure in life!

 

While we go through our own personal trials of life, hopefully, we can try to help ourselves with some/all of these ideas and suggestions.

 

G. willing, we will meet again in December. I wish for all or us a Refuah Shlaima, both physically and mentally.

CHW

Chayaof Jerusalem.blogspot.co.il

 ALONG OUR RIDE ON THE TRAIN OF LIFE:  OCTOBER, 2021

At this special time of the year, the Jewish New Year, the beginning of the school year 2021, fall weather in our midst, this is a good time to remind ourselves and those around us of the joy we are supposed to feel in our hearts for every good  DEED and for  every good DESIRE to change. Only by concentrating on being POSITIVE, and limiting sadness can we be empowered to be victorious in our inner struggles. Mankind is yet fighting the Corona/Delhi virus all over the world, as well as a world where we see hate, one people versus another. It is often depressing to see and to fear all that is pressing upon us.

Let us remember to appreciate what we can-POSITIVITY- and keep moving forwards with our inner heart appreciating the important things like family, friends, and accepting and loving OURSELVES. We are alive here TODAY!

LET'S TAKE TIME FOR OURSELVES; Here are some guidelines of life, that we are encouraged to follow:

1. Let it go!

2. Ignore others' comments.

3. Give it time (to heal).

4. Be yourself!

5. WE are in charge of our happiness.

6. SMILE! Enjoy what  and while we can!

7. Let's reach out to friends and family far and near, that we love and miss, and need their encouragement, love, friendship and caring!

8. Let's take the time to list nor only in our minds but onto paper all the things that give OUR lives ABUNDANCE. Doing this daily, weekly, helps us see just how much we DO have and need. Let's let others comfort us in their own ways. Let's soak in all the good feelings that we can EVEN in our dark dark periods. 

In Psalm 121: "I lift my eyes up to the hills: from where does my help come ? My help comes from the Lord, maker of  heaven and earth."  I add on: My help also comes from my loved ones, family, friends from far and near.

 G. bless all of us on the train of life- hopefully, we will meet again in November.

CHW

chayaofjerusalem.blogspot.co.il

 ALONG OUR TRAIN RIDE OF LIFE: SEPT. 2021

Shalom dear Readers:

In Psalm 121, we read: 'I lift my eyes up to the hills; from where does my help come? My help comes from the  Lord, Maker of heaven and earth.'

This month of Elul leads up to Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. tTis month is a fitting time to notice and appreciate the goodness and grace that G./Hashem showers upon us as well as the generosity that others share with us. Elul is a wonderful time to pick up the phone to send a quick message to someone, thanking them for a kindness done,  in the days prior to Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year.

It challenges us to feel appreciativeness and gratefulness for G.'s mercy (even when we are at home/ in bed/alone, to use our blessings for the good of others. Let us aim to practice gratefulness for WHAT IS, and to try to complain less (and that is a difficult challenge). It is a unique, special time in our calendar. 

Let's think of some everyday miracles in our midst:

Fresh coffee, a phone call from an old friend, good music to listen to, to sing along when possible, etc. You add on more of your own miracles for you.

We will not be remembered by our words but by our deeds. life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath! Let's each search for our personal things that take our breath!

Can we be less a 'difficult' patient? to fear is o'kay. But: FEEL THE FEAR, BUT DO IT ANYWAYS! Let's reach out to others, let's try positivity, prayer and acceptance of what is. We can't change the situation, but we can try coping tips as mentioned above, or whatever helps you!

I close with my prayers for all of us to adjust to our life as best we can, and to wish all of us a  HEALTHY NEW YEAR, both physically and mentally.

CHW

chayaofjerusalem.blogspot.co.il

 

 

July, 2021

Shalom dear readers:

How do we find JOY?

We all know that suffering is part of life. All human beings at some point, go through tough times. What can I do to change the negative, or rather to tune above the negative into good thoughts? Such a difficult decision to make! We so much want to live, have a life, see the good each day, and not focus on our possibility of death soon.

As I struggled recently with physical and mental situations, that left me smashed physically and mainly mentally. I suddenly remembered – let’s see what I still have to be GRATEFUL FOR:

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The higher happiness that I can strive for, will have me focus less on my grief.  Can I accept whatever GOOD is in my life?

IS WHAT I AM DOING/FEELING good or negative for me? Is my thinking helping or harming me?

I suggest that we write down three (3) strategies that will help us in our attitude and actions. Each one of us will have different strategies of coping. But let’s check with ourselves that we are adapting positive things in our lives, no matter how simple they are, in order to feel good, TO FIND JOY!

This practice of RESILIENCE will hopefully benefit us more than the medications that we have to take, and will open the door for us to receive and accept love that is coming our way from friends, family, neighbors.

I wish us all a good month of August despite all the negative that may rear its head, but paying attention to the GOOD in our life. G. bless!

CHW

Chayaofjerusalem.blogspot.co.il

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Chaya/Harriet Weinberg

Jerusalem, Israel

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