I visited my 86-year-old mother this past weekend. She was depressed and upset because her dog has contracted Lyme disease and possibly also hurt its back. The dog isn’t eating and can’t walk well; it has lost control of one of it’s hind legs. My mother, also, seems to have lost her appetite. That dog […]
The Things That Give Us a Reason to Live Read More »
Today I received an email from a friend, who is dealing with his mother’s declining health. He told me that a few weeks ago he was in a local food co-op and the gravity and fullness of his mother’s situation caught up with him. As he quietly sobbed at the soup counter, a young woman who
Have You Given or Received a Hug Today? Read More »
When you feel the desire to judge someone, remember that on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, the sefirot of gevurah (judgment) lies opposite chesed (loving-kindness), so that these can balance each other. Thus, we never judge someone without tempering that judgement with love and kindness and we don’t offer love and kindness without the some
Finding Balance Between Judgment and Loving Kindness Read More »
The Hebrew month of Tammuz, which we are currently in, has a lot to do with seeing clearly, according to my friend Mindy Ribner. (Check out her book, Kabbalah Month by Month.) Do you think you see clearly? Whether or not you are Jewish, it’s important to consider this during this period of time. The
Do You See Clearly? Read More »
How often do you leave your home and go somewhere else to live for any period of time? For the second time in two years, my son and I are going off to live in New York City for seven weeks this summer. This reminds me of the Torah portion we read called Lech Lecha,
And You Shall Be a Blessing… Read More »
Judaism has a lovely tradition of lighting candles on Friday night to welcome in the Sabbath. I consider this a spiritual practice that creates sacred space and invites in the Divine Spirit. Thus, the ritual can be used by anyone at any time. In Exodus 25:8-9, God says, “Build for me a sanctuary (mikdash), and
Practical Spirituality: Lighting Sabbath Candles Read More »
People change. Sometimes they change for the better, sometimes they change for the worse. There’s a person in my family that I haven’t seen in a number of years that I had to spend time with recently. We tend to avoid each other. We don’t get along. However, we managed this time to be civil
Yesterday my 17-year-old daughter graduated from high school. Thursday marked her last day of classes, Last night we attended the graduation ceremony. I know she is graduating, but to a certain extent, I feel I am as well. We are both graduating to the next phase of our lives together. She goes off to college
Who Really Graduates on Graduation Day? Read More »
Judaism has a prayer that speaks of Divine unity. It also helps Jews remember that God exists not only in the “heavens” but close at hand. This prayer is called the Sh’ma. I’d like to propose that anyone from any religion or spiritual tradition, however, can take the basic premise of this prayer and use
Practical Spirituality: A Daily Prayer of Divine Unity Read More »
Is there something about yourself that you consider a “negative,” something you think of as a detriment to your career or resume? Maybe you didn’t graduate from college or you’ve changed jobs often or English isn’t your first language. Today, figure out how to turn that so-called negative into a positive. Make it an attribute.
How to Turn Negatives Into Positives Read More »
This morning I was reading Seth Godin’s blog, and I found his topic pertinent in particular to achieving our goals. He talked about the different conversations going on in our heads and gave the voices names: The ego–seeks applause and recognition. The lizard–seeks safety, wants to fit in and not be rejected or criticized. The
Getting Your "Selves" to Help You Achieve Goals Read More »
I find that we as a society have moved away from celebrating most holidays in a meaningful or spiritual manner. I emphasize taking what I call empty holiday observances and filling them with meaning and spirit. That means getting away from the commercial influences that want us to simply buy something to fulfill whatever obligation
Fill Memorial Day – or Any Holiday – With Meaning Read More »
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