ALONG OUR TRAIN RIDE OF LIFE - May 2023

Shalom Dear Readers:

 

“SAVORING MOMENTS OF UNITY, ACHVA, DEVOTION TO HASHEM, WITHIN OUR SYNAGOGUES AND HOMES AND FAMILIES!”

 

We have been living now, in 2023, months of anxiousness, worrying, witnessing horrific scenes of killings, hatred, and yet we, the Jewish people who believe and long for closeness with G.D/Hashem, are so delighted to go to our synagogues of choice, to sit and pray and sing to our G. with thankfulness, whilst we yet worry as to what we see around us happening! How did we ever get to this point? Can we bring sanity to this world around us? Being different in our measures of religiousness can be less than perfect. But to attack one another of our own species and religious beliefs, is barbaric and evil and horrifying to behold!

 

Rabbi Yannai claimed: Do you want to know the secret of a long life? Ora properly lived life of doing good and pursuing peace?

 

First, says Rabbi Yannai, we must guard our tongue from evil. THAT is the secret potion, the healing medicine which will enable us to go on to the next step, moral health.

 

 

In Tehilim, Psalms, we read: “Turn from evil and do good…” Many peddlers peddled  not just trivial commodities, but they gave words and wares of wisdom.

 

Good speech leads us up to living a full and healthy moral life.

 

Guard your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Seek Peace and pursue it.

 

Many of us on this train of life are devastated to see such ravaging of our Jewish brethren, let alone, our enemies from without! Going to pray this last religious holiday brought me to tears of joy at our unity, and to tears, knowing what is happening all around on the streets of our country. It was simply unbelievably horrific! As we continue our ride on the train of life, we don’t know where to turn – to get off the train, to cling to our homes, to run away from this land that G. has given us.

Wasn’t the Shoah enough? To think of all our thousands upon thousands of Jewish brethren smashed to pieces during the holocaust, and now, when finally have our country. Let us work on our attitude in how we behave to others!

 

To witness within ourselves such hatred, is so very very sad, and unmanageable. We need to take great care in how we utilize this powerful G. given gift of speech! Language is G.d’s greatest gift to humankind and it must be guarded if it is to heal, not harm! Let’s stay on the train of life, but use our love of G. in our speech and mannerisms. Let us reach out to others in need, and stand together and cling to our heritage, to our prayer books, to our Torah, to our families that we are so fortunate to have! Losing so many innocent children, adults, families, within our own cities, domains, homes, cars, at bus stops. I pray that you and I can and will find ways to continue to reach out to others, the needy, the trodden, the “other”, in time of need and day by day as needed. Let us strengthen ourselves and our ahavat chinam, and look once again at each other as brothers and sisters.

 

As we have now celebrated Independence Day, let us hopefully celebrate many smachot and good occasions, united in our humanity, no matter how we differ in our practices and customs of living in this planet EARTH, under G.’s guidance!

 

Until we meet again in JUNE, G. willing,

CHW

 

 

 

 

Along Our Train Ride of Life - April 2023

Shalom Dear Readers:

Years ago, in one of my blogs, I highly recommended the book Feel the Fear & Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers. It’s a wonderful read, and it gives us a push and encouragement. Many of us on this train of life are ridden with doubts and fears as we try to cope with our particular issues.

 

Recently, a dear friend of mine who felt my sense of insecurity and fear over my health issues, bought me a book entitled: What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid? by Michal Oshman. Somehow my friend thought it was an appropriate gift to give me. I could not put the book down. Michal Oshman’s tips are so doable, with many resources from our Jewish life and beliefs, as well as Torah sources from 3,000-year-old principles for living life fearlessly. We are encouraged to be models of kindness, caring, and doing, and there are tips for reaching out to others. It is a book to re-read from time to time, in order to get re-encouraged to step out and help others and ourselves!

 

Subsequently, I am devoting time on this blog with suggestions and tips for living and conquering/managing our fears as we ride on our train of life. 

Viktor Frankl said: “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Each of us has a personal “mitzrayim”, our own narrow straits that restrict us, stifle us, and trap us. These internal chains of self-slavery, our own limiting thoughts and restrictive beliefs, might be what’s making us afraid, what’s keeping us from moving forward.

 

In Mans’ Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl says that we need to absorb his three components for happiness. Life is primarily a quest for meaning, and that meaning can come about in one of three ways:

1. Work by doing something significant

2. Love by caring for another person(s)

3. Courage during difficult times.

He adds that we cannot control what happens to us in life, but we CAN control what we feel and do about the situation. Here in Israel, many of the Holocaust survivors appreciate where they are; happiness and hope has entered into their lives once again.

 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the former Associated Justice of the Supreme Court, claimed that the secret to a meaningful life is to do something outside yourself, something to repair tears in your community, or something to make life a little better for people less fortunate than you.

 

Rabbi Nachman of Breslov wrote the song/prayer, Gesher Tzar Me’od.

The whole world is a very narrow bridge.

And the main thing is to have no fear.

Rabbi Nachman’s message is that everyone should always move forward and cross their personal bridges. No looking back! Replace fear with action!  When we choose courage over fear, we choose to live instead of just to exist!

“Doing” instead of “over-thinking” is the only way to move forwards towards joy, fulfilment and meaning. When opportunities come, don’t fear them, take them!

 

We study in Proverbs 14:23 “In every sadness there is benefit.”

Frankl, says that even in the depths of despair, meaning can lead to hope. Frank found internal strength and resilience, not DESPITE his grief, but BECAUSE of it. He decided to “move forward” rather than stay still and grieve.

 

Maya Angelou tells us: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will perhaps forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

 

The Baal Shem Tov said, “Even a little light can dispel a lot of darkness.”

We know that if we change nothing, nothing will change. Even one little step forward can make a big difference. For each of us, G. has a task: work to perform, kindness to show, a gift to give, love to share, loneliness to ease, pain to heal, or broken lives to help mend.

 

In To Heal a Fractured World, Jonathan Sacks guides us how to live and to be attentive to what G. wants from us. He guides us towards direction and meaning in our lives!

 

I wish all of us, Klal Yisrael, a healthy, meaningful Pesach. I wish for our people to come together as one people, united בע"ה.

Until we meet again, G. willing, in May 2023

CHW

 

 

 

ALONG OUR TRAIN RIDE OF LIFE – March 1,2023

Shalom dear readers: 

As we travel on the train of life, what is our mood - thankfulness, worry, fear, or sadness? Are we mostly feeling down and worried as to what comes next? What more must we face? 

 

Purim is almost upon us. Suddenly smiles break out on children’s faces (and it has an impact on us adults as well), and the country is alive with excitement and happiness. We share with others; we come into contact with so many people and in so many places. How do we cope with so much of that positive feeling of joy and merriment amidst all that is going on around us?

 

In our synagogues, our homes, and during smachot, we sing with such vigor “HODOO LASHEM KI TOV!” We also sing this “anthem” of HODOO to celebrate our crossing of the Red Sea at our Pesach Seder. We rise with joy when we remember overcoming the enemy during the Yom Kippur war. Are we aware of all the special good feelings we have when we celebrate family weddings, births or engagements? Can we hold onto more of these wonderful feelings from these special occasions?

 

Or are we too worried to enjoy the moment because we are afraid of when we will have to leave the train of life? Can we enjoy our ride on the train of life, despite the fact that at some point we will have to depart from the train of life? Are we wasting precious time that we have at the moment to enjoy our ride? What good deed have we done today to someone we know, or to a stranger in need?

 

I would like to share with you a simple kind act I encountered from a stranger on the street whom I have never seen before. A man passed near us and asked me if I would like two tangerines that he had just picked fresh and reassured me that it was kosher. Such a lovely gesture - to give away from the few tangerines in his crop to an unknown person, and how he left us so happy with his gesture to share. We were so happy to be bestowed so nicely from a fellow observant Jew. He demonstrated to me the concept of .יד לוחצת יד  One person showing kindness to a stranger is a win/win situation - he is pleased, we are pleased. I felt he was a messenger from G. showing there are good, caring people in the world. On his train of life, he is showing friendship, reaching out one to another, and promoting positive reactions aboard.

 

I close with a song in my heart and soul of “HODOO LASHEM KI TOV”, for all what we DO have, and for his grace amongst our fellow travels on our train ride of life.

Until we meet again, G. willing, in April 2023.

 

CHW

 

 

 

ALONG OUR TRAIN RIDE OF LIFE, February, 2023

Shalom dear Readers.

Today, as I ride on the train of life, I am thinking, mulling around in my head what seems to be disruptive, deterring me (and others) from my(our) living with a positive focus. I  ask myself ‘What is wrong? What is missing in my life? My studies have pointed out to me a possible and much needed focus. Dr. McHugh, a master psychotherapist, tells us the secret foundation of our soul. How do we use or abuse our daily schedule in life?  What is our time management? and our spiritual time management asks Dr. McHugh.

-How do we make ourselves busy? With what? The revered Rabbi Elya Lapian, the mussar shmuessen , spoke of the fundamental importance of one’s use of time. ”A man who goes through life without taking the time to consider his ways is like a blind man who walks along the edge of a river. “Der velt sagt”, he said in Yiddish, “the world says that time is money. But I say time is life! TIME IS LIFE!”

Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzato, known by the initials of his name as the Ramchal, says in the second chapter of his widely studied ethical treatise, Messillat Yesharim, Path of the Upright, he writes of the tactics of the yetzer. “A man who goes through life without taking the time to consider his ways is like a blind man who walks along the edge of a river. To become so busy and have no time to reflect, not time to really live, is bondage into slavery.  Time is life! Spiritual time management is the secret of life.!

The power of the soul! There is proof of the connection between resilience and vaccination, between mind and body. Doctors and medical staff must give spiritual mental support to strengthen the patient’s spirit. We must give to ourselves an upward approach of time well spent are good thoughts to live by, rather than focusing on what is lacking in our lives and inside of us, where we think and dwell in thought and beliefs. Let’s practice MINDFULNESS. Distraction, says Dr. Kelner, is an enemy of awe. AWE means meditating, reflecting, deep delving within our soul.

Let’s practice mindfulness..  Let’s slow down, breathe deeply and reflect on our life. Dr. Kelner writes that people who find awe all around them, are more open to new ideas. Let’s be more open to experience, and find awe all around us, and the wonders of our planet, of our souls.

Some suggestions of how to relax, and to be more aware of all the ‘awe’ of our lives, of our people, of our planet are:   

1. Breathe.

 2. Meditate,

 3. Write down our feelings, our successes.

4.  Let’s go outdoors to walk, to see and feel the wonders of the sun shining, the flowers blooming and/or budding, nature in its constant wonders.

5. Let’s listen to music instead of the constant bombardment of the news.

6. Let’s get rest periods when we feel the need.

7. Let’s try to get more hours of sleep.

 8. Let’s do something DIFFERENT   for a change. Something positive that warms our heart and soul, whatever suits you and is pleasing and fun and gives us a good feeling within our bodies, within our souls and in our hearts.

I wish each of you, my readers, a healthy month ahead, with good thoughts, with some smiles in your hearts and soul, and within your/our reality.

Until we meet again, G. willing, in March, 2023.

CHW

 

 

Along Our Train Ride of Life - January 2023

Shalom dear readers:

Thoughts for us to ponder during the winter.

How should we handle life at this point along our ride on the train of life.

• How do we conquer fear?
• How do we think positively?
• How do we accept ourselves right now- where we are - despite our feelings of fear, inadequacy, or pain. To feel fear is fine; to give way to it, is not.

According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, Hashem has faith in us even if, at times, the best lack faith in themselves. After Shabbat, we often sing the refrain of well-known liturgical song: “Do not fear, my servant Jacob”. Why do we sing this song specifically after Shabbat? Because when the Shabbat descends upon us, G. spreads a tabernacle of peace upon us; however, when Shabbat departs, fear may take over. When Shabbat is over, we feel the dark night outside and we may fear the difficult weekdays ahead, days bereft of a feeling of revealed divine sanctity. This exactly how Jacob felt when he left the land of Israel and his parents’ home. An angel of G. made him a special promise, “Behold I am with you, and you have nothing to fear!”

  

Let’s try to leave our worries for another day, another time.

There is a saying: “Different strokes for different folks”. And that’s okay! We must believe we are okay as we are, despite all.

Many of us have different ailments (such as scoliosis, or arthritis), and the list goes on for different folks all around us. We keep trying, plugging along with our body and mind.

There are always hazards along our way, but knowing that G. Is with us, gives us strength if we align our will with his.

Remember! Faith is not certainty, but the courage to live with uncertainty.

On the other hand, we can read, think, write, and reach out to others. We can relax and be thankful for every day for life, for our gestures towards other people, and for their offers of help and being there for us as well. In Tehilim chapter 34, it warns us from bad mouthing others, “Who desires life? Love each day to see good! Guard your tongue from evil and your lips form speaking deceit. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

 

I am reminded of the saying: “I’m okay, you’re okay.” We each are what we are, and where we are on our train ride of life. We each have our high and low levels that we are able or not able to do at this moment of time.

 

We are taught to always be happy ((להיות בשמחה תמיד - positive thinking!

It is hard work to be positive after periods of pain, and physical and/or mental stress and difficulties. Who is happy? One who is satisfied with his lot in life.  

איזה הוא עשיר? השמח בחלקו!

 

We are encouraged to think good, and it will be good! Sometimes self-praise is necessary. We tend to be very hard on ourselves! Let’s give ourselves credit for all our efforts!

 

Some of us are addicted to watching/hearing about all the negativity on the news over and over each day! Let’s try to minimize our time spent on negative habits. Perhaps we may think more positively without all of this negativity all around us! Let’s remember to thank G. every day by saying, !מודה אני

 

And so, dear readers, I wish us all a good month ahead, chodesh tov, and the strength and faith to continue on our train ride of life!

Until we meet, G. Willing, in February 2023.

CHW

 

 ALONG OUR TRAIN RIDE OF LIFE: DECEMBER 1, 2022

Shalom dear fellow travelers on the train ride of life.

I have chosen for this month to highlight a way of living, giving, even amidst the stormy hurdles we face while on our train ride through life.

We are all in the same boat, on the same train of life; we all need one another. A SMILE, a telephone call, can have such a positive influence both to the receiver and to US, the givers. We all need one another. We care and we share! Giving from the heart is SO easy. We can bring a moment of happiness and hope to another! Giving from the heart comes with no personal cost -it is absolutely at no monetary cost. But brings such happiness to the receiver, and as well, bring such happiness and good feelings for US, OURSELVES, as we give to others.

ואהבת לרעך כמוך.! 

Let’s hold hands together on this train of life. Let’s embrace one another in heart and mind and soul as we share some wondrous moments in life, and handle as best we can, the hurdles and the difficulties as well.

A poem for us to inhale, use, and to remember:

SMILING IS INFECTIOUS

YOU CATCH IT LIKE THE FLU

WHEN SOMEONE SMILED AT ME TODAY

I STARTED SMILING TOO!

I WALKED AROUND THE CORNER

AND SOMEONE SAW ME GRIN.

WHEN HE SMILED, I REALIZED

I HAD PASSED IT ON TO HIM.

I THOUGHT ABOUT THE SMILE

AND THEN REALIZED ITS WORTH-

A SINGLE SMILE LIKE MINE

COULD TRAVEL AROUND THE EARTH!

SO, IF YOU FEEL A SMILE BEGIN

DON’T LEAVE IT UNDETECTED-

START AN EMPIDEMIC AND GET THE WORLD INFECTED.

 

LET’S HOLD HANDS TOGETHER, AND ON THIS TRAIN OF LIFE,

LET’S EMBRACE ONE ANOTHER IN HEART AND MIND AND SOUL,

AS WE SHARE SOME WONDROUS MOMENTS IN LIFE AND HANDLE AS BEST WE CAN THE HURDLES AND DIFFICULTIES AS WELL.

G. BLESS ALL OF US TO HAVE THE ‘KOACH’, THE STRENGTH, BOTH PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY, DURING OUR DIFFICULT MOMENTS IN THIS BUMPY TRIP THROUGH LIFE.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN IN JANUARY, 2023, G. WILLING.

CHW

 

Shalom dear readers, as we travel together on the train ride of life.

,’ כל העולם כלו גשר צר מאוד ‘ a world wide saying and song by Rebbe Nachman. We walk through life on a narrow bridge, but the important thing for us to remember is that we must try to cross this bridge WITHOUT FEAR. An easy phrase to read, but a true challenge to fulfil!

 

We are once again referred to ‘resilience’, when we need to choose to focus on happenings/events (says Elizabeth Gilbert). We can see the world as grim and most difficult; each of us has the inner ability to decide how to proceed, despite the difficulties. We need courage to live with uncertainty! Faith is us using courage to take a risk, knowing that “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”  Psalm 23:4

 

I highly recommend for us to read Sivan Rahav Meir’s  daily message. She combines Torah and its meanings into tips for us to live by in a productive living style with our care and help to others beside ourselves as messengers of Hashem. There are many rewards in doing good and saving lives/neshamas/giving spiritual meaning to life. Torah happiness means living the “Simchat Torah” happiness into real actions of giving to others and spiritually saving lives.

 

I am constantly by Viktor E. Frankl in his book entitled ‘YES TO LIFE IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING’.

We all strive to understand the meaning of life – even in the face of suffering; suffering is inherent in human life. As I watch and see our lovely trees, flowers, shaking in the wind, in the storm, being blown down, sometimes destroyed, I remind myself that so too, we may suffer, some more easily, simply, and others more severely. But G.’s world returns with new trees, new leaves, new flowers are reborn, renewed. Thus too, we humans are granted this time on earth, and eventually we leave as part of G.’s plan. We hope to leave a part of our souls with our children, our loved ones, from our grandchildren, even with our great grandchildren. Hopefuly they have felt in their heart our loving feelings to each and every one of them.

 

Our friends, our families, and  loved ones are FLOWERS in our GARDEN OF LIFE!

 

In her book, ‘WE BEREAVED’ by Helen Keller, I am reminded that one door of happiness closes, another opens: but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. What a good reminder for me and you to think of as we meet up with difficult, ravaging periods during our train ride of life.

 

G. bless us all until we meet again, in December, 2022

CHW