Life As It Exists Today

Many of my faithful readers may have noticed that I have not posted anything for awhile. There are many personal issues here, consuming me at one level or another, and I have not had the desire, nor the ability, it seems, to write much these days. Family, friends, acquaintances, and those who fit in none of the categories, have been consuming my time, along with, of course, work commitments. So for today, I stay silent.

What is wonderful about life, is that everything changes, whether we want it to or not, and along with each change, may come a revelation, a new journey, an insight, or disappointment. Each day, the sun comes up, as it sets at night. For today, I am grateful for these small gifts.

Thank you for your minds.

What is Peace?

Over the past few months, with choas, turmoil in the world around us, and some personal turmoil here at home, I asked myself, what is the one thing that each of us seek to sustain us on a daily basis? For me, the answer is peace.

Whether it be peace of mind, a mental state indicating that we trust ourselves, do the best we can to stay out of the outcome, stay connected to G-d to be faithful rather than fearful, or say thank you as often as possible, these are factors that can make us feel peaceful in many ways. Often, committing to something or someone with all our might (i.e. 100 percent), holding nothing back, can generate a sense of purpose, excitement, fulfillment and joy that makes a diffference in how we feel each and every day.

And of course, there is a large type of peace, that we may want to experience in the world, to see others co-exist with us in harmony, so that we do not fight one other, either with our words or our hands. Each person, in one form or another desires this type of peace as well.

As of late, peace is something which I have been desperately trying to attain. With everything going on in our family, with our daughter, with other family members, friends, and self, I long for peace of mind. Not to mention the chaos that exists in the world, especially in Israel, where the right to a peaceful existence seems to be a fleeting concept.

What does it mean to you to be peaceful, and how do you best attain it? For me, something that is essential is to be as kind and loving as I can in all of my relationships....

Thank you for your minds.

Sasha Baron Cohen: The Makings of A Comic Genius

When I first watched Da Ali G Show, at the insistence of my college aged son, I must admit that although I found Mr. Cohen to be entertaining, it still behoved me how he was such an attraction, almost a cult figure for the young generation. Then, as if some lighting rod hit, and struck pot gold, Borat was found.

The first experience with this odd, actually completely bizarre character, who came from Kazazakhstan, who sought to learn about America, came in the form of a song called, Throw the Jew Down The Well. At first, horrified, it was difficult to understand how Cohen, a religious Jew himself, could take such a melody (catchy, I might add) to the public. The more I watched this man, I understood the message he was trying to make about prejudice, anti-Semitism, and sexism, and he did so in the most genius of all ways: mockery! Not only did Cohen put the Glorious Nation of Kazaskhstan on the map, but he showed the world how it is possible to let one's guard down, and have his/her true prejudices surface.

So, today, Mr. Cohen, after you have won your well deserved Golden Globe Award, I have a message for you! You are a true genius, a credit to your people, especially, to all those who have the Cohen name and share it with you. I am proud of your accomplishments, your quick wit, and mostly your movie, Borat, which had me laughing so loud, at moments, I was unable to breathe! May you continue to be successful, in both your professional and personal life, and while you are at it, please do not ever forget who you are, and where you came from, because it is with this sense, that you are able to touch and reach so many with your message.

Thank you for your comedy, and, I might add, thank you for your mind!

For The Love of A Puppy: Dog Training

As many of you know by now, I have a new puppy in the home named Argon. He is cute, very fury and warm, and if I were to take bets, it would more likely than not be that most of you would conclude that Argon presents like a Disney dog. What this means, is that he is lovable, obedient, does what ever I say, and responds to commands with military precision.

Let the truth be known, that having a new puppy is tantamount to having a new baby in the home, but in many ways this fury friend is way more destructive. Now life means finding brushes all over the place, one shoe is usually separated from the other, making it difficult to get ready for work in the morning. All closets must be closed, and all plugs wrapped or else, shreading will occur. And let us not forget the sudden urges to eliminate oneself whenever possible, hence, the carpet has its own unique odor and appearance at the present moment. And what about the puppy, who is so dependent, as he follows you all over the place, loves to play and bite the hands, leaving scratch and bite marks all over the arms and legs, leaving one to wonder if I have become the victim of domestic violence!

Nevertheless, I truly love having Argon, and his existence has made life a bit more joyful. As with any new relationship, it will take time, nuturing, patience, and lots of love for it to become just right.

Now, 20 minutes has passed since he ate, and it is time for his walk....
Thank you for your minds.

Expectation and Acceptance

Expect nothing, and everything is possible.

Although acceptance is the solution to our problems, i.e., we can accept a person, place or thing for what it is at the moment, this does not mean that we do not experience tremendous joy or heartwrenching pain.....

We must, however, accept....

Thank you for your minds....

BARBARA FROM CALIFORNIA

Celebrating Another Birthday

ARGON

Each year, every one of us celebrates a birthday. For some, our wishes are concrete, practical or even extravagant, while for others, we may pine away for something more along the category of a philosophical nature.

As for me, I have always enjoyed celebrating my birthday. Although this is the first year without Astro, I do have a new companion, Argon to celebrate the birthday with.

As a woman who has celebrated many birthdays by now, what has not changed is the knowledge that this is a special day for me, and it is made even more so by the goodwill of family and friends, a great and powerful blessing in my life, I must say, and one which I appreciate more and more each and every day.

January 8th is also the birthday of Elvis Presley, Stephen Hawking, David Bowie, and the Hillside Strangler, just to name a few. There are times that I image what kind of complex person would emerge if all these individuals were mixed together in a large vat and emerged as one human being. Who would we find? Someone passionate, complex, talented, strapping, perhaps even dark at times, but someone with a keen intellect, and a love for knowledge, actually the kind of person that may, at times describe myself. Those who know me personally will say that I am a very complicated woman, serious, but sensual, and have a true love of life. I like to think of myself as being like this, still to this day, as another birthday passes, a woman who continues to fight the fight, and conquer the seemingly impossible, while being of service to others too.

Now, for this year, 2007, what do I wish for my birthday? There is only one thing that I would truly want this year, this moment, and that is for my daughter to be healthy again. Since it is already the 8th of January in Jerusalem, I sent this very message to the kotel along with a wish for the well being of Israel.

The great gift that I have is good family and friends, something that money can ever buy.

Happy birthday to Elvis (who would turn 72), to Stephen Hawking (may he continue to remain healthy) and to David Bowie (may his musical talents not cease)....

Thank you for your minds.

As 2007 Begins.....

First of all, let me begin by sending all readers of this blog a wish, with the hope that the year, each and every day, brings each and every one of you all the best that life has to offer. Of course, we know that this cannot always be possible, as life, has a tenacious, even dark side, and can, and often does, get in our way. That being said, some days are good, others better, still others not so good, and some bring on a state of complete despair. Nevertheless, one must still go on living, with the hope that light will continue to be present.

As many may have noticed, I have not written on my blog for awhile. So many changes here, starting a new job, getting a new puppy, and the health of my daughter beginning to deteriorate even more. What is the solution? What can one do when faced with pain, suffering and even despair? Is it fair to expect others to carry the burden for us? I think not. Each one of us, has a responsibility to ourselves, to try to make the very best of the lives we are given. Unfortunately, there are no scripts nor magic wands that can surface to bring about change as we may desire or see fit. Hard work, and sometimes a bit of disappointment transpire, but nevertheless, one must go on as best he/she can with the life we are given.

That being said, I am grateful to have a good family, and am blessed with many caring friends. Staying positive as many know has been an attitude that I have worked hard to embrace. Lately, however, like vapor, this seemingly fleeting state of mind has currently escaped me.

Tomorrow is a new day. . . Newness promises change, sometimes, even when we least expect it to transpire, it may, whether we desire the out-come or not, or if it is as we wanted, may be necessary for our growth and our own good...

Be well, take good care, and be mindful that even if one does not feel like putting a smile on his/her face, once there, G-d will give you a reason to smile....

Thank you for your minds...