Happy Independence Day 2022
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. It said;
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.
The founding of America was then, a very novel idea in building a nation based on individual rights and freedom. A nation founded on the idea that man is inherently (soul) good and given freedom could/would eventually live up to that good. A nation founded on the belief that all are created in the image of G-d. That we are all children of G-d. That given freedom, we could and would eventually have a country that lives up to and recognizes these “self-evident truths”.
Those who got freedom back then, were grateful. Yet it was not something that they were familiar with and had no real experience with. They were an imperfect people given the freedom and opportunity, based on the founding principles, to grow and become a more “perfect union”. So began the journey in learning how to use their new freedom.
We were all created with free will. The USA was created to be a nation that gave us the opportunity to express our free will. With the freedom of free will, we can choose to elevate ourselves and become the person we were created to be. To be the unique person, with a unique purpose, and mission for which we were each created. A mission that contributes to the benefit of all. A person who follows
“Love your fellow as yourself” (Leviticus 19;18).
“If I am not for myself, who will be for me. And if I am only for myself, of what good am I.” – Hillel, Ethics of fathers 1:14
Without these rights and freedom we could not pursue our dreams and our individual purpose. When we each use that freedom to be who we are meant to be, to fulfill our unique purpose, America will be all that it’s meant to be and what it was founded for. Without the freedom to fulfill our individual purpose, we will never get to a nation fully defined by it’s founding principles.
What could be more gratifying for each of us to know that we chose, because we could, to use that freedom to reach our ultimate potential as human beings. To know that it came from you and not imposed on you. To look around us and see that all are enjoying “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” To be truly United. It may take longer than we would like, but freedom is the only way to get there.
If there are faults in America, it is not the fault of America. We are all still imperfect people.
A young child asks his parents on a long trip, “Are we there yet?”. The parent answers “no, not yet”. On our journey, we must constantly ask ourselves, “Am I there yet?”. Each of us is a work in process that can lead to progress. The closer you get, the closer we will be to the ideals that America was founded on.
In the 246 years of our independence, we have made much progress, and accomplished much good. So let’s celebrate our freedom, how far we’ve come, and keep going forward. Keep going forward until the answer becomes, “yes, I am there” and therefore “yes, we are there”. Without freedom we will never get there!
One of the many of America’s accomplishments is very personal for me. If it wasn’t for America, my Parents (OBM), would not have been Holocaust Survivors,who then came to America, and therefore I would not be
To have the freedom to pursue and become our true selves is indeed something to be thankful for.
Our liberty should be celebrated everyday by using it for the good of all.
May we cherish, be grateful for, and protect those freedoms for many, many more years.
May we use our freedom to fulfill our greatest human potential.
HAPPY 4th of July
G-d Bless America
A Super Hero Or A Super Human *
A Super Hero wears his costume on the outside to hide his true identity. A Super Human uses his outer costume to reveal his true identity.
A human may wear his outer, meaning his physical body, to project to the world that which his emotional makeup tells him the world wants to see. A human may also try to change his outer to please. A human may wear his outer to conceal from the world who he truly is.
A Super Human allows his inner to shine through his outer, to give the world that which he was created to give, that which we all need from him. He was given the attributes, or perceived flaws, and the uniqueness of his outer/costume to accomplish his mission. He uses the outer to express his inner, not to hide it. His inner and outer become one. When they do, he has found true happiness and we all benefit.
The director of a play or movie chooses an actor to play a certain role, not just based on acting ability, but one whose physical appearance the audience will associate with the character of the character. Our director/our creator chose our physical for us. It was chosen and given to us on purpose, so that we could play our role, on this stage that we call our world. It was chosen and given to us because when used properly, it is consistent with our purpose and mission. It was given to us so that we may use it to bring a good to our audience. The good that we were uniquely given to give.
So whether you are tall or short, good-looking or maybe not, whatever hair or eye color, etc., etc., etc., means you are unique, special, and valuable. You are needed!
The question you must then ask yourself is how do I use this for the good? How do I use this to express my true underlying character?
When you merge the inner and outer, you will be you, through and through!
“Our aim is not to be superhuman, but to be super humans.” — Rabbi Shraga Silverstein
“If you want to be original just try being yourself, because G-d has never made two people exactly alike.” –Bernard Meltzer
“When I stand before G-d at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.” – Erma Bombeck
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Grateful Be Healthy Choose Wisely
*Another “Oldie But Goodie” updated
Your Most Valuable Gem to Dig For Is……..
Here is a follow up to a past post (9/30/2021) click this tile “Keep Digging” to read it
Your most valuable gem to dig for is You! By you, I mean the True You. By True you, I mean what’s embodied in your soul.
“You don’t have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” – C. S. Lewis
Under the shell, or our physical bodies, lies our core, our soul. That is, and there lies, the true human being that we are meant to be.
In this world, there is a constant struggle between your physical and your soul. To get to the soul and let it be in control requires digging through the outer physical shell. The physical just wants it wants, it’s self-centric interests. While the soul is where the giving other-centric you and your purpose is found. In other words what you are needed for. This doesn’t mean ridding the shell, it means blending the two together, so that the soul is expressed through your body and it’s words/actions.
We can get there by constantly striving to make all of our words and actions in the physical, directed to a purpose higher than just satisfying our physical wants, or just ourselves. It is the ultimate goal and so too our greatest challenge, hence it contains the greatest reward for all. When you do that, you will find more than happiness, you will find joy.
It is said that the true cause of anxiety, anger, depression, etc. (clinical depression, chemical, and hormonal imbalances aside) is that the life one leads is not in sync with their soul/sole purpose.
These maladies are caused by our struggle between the two opposing forces within us. One that wants its wants and the one that needs what it is needed for.
We can have our wants, not just because we want them, but so they enable us to better attend to our needed for’s. When we are true to our true purpose, then the life we lead is in harmony with why we are here and what we are needed for. Joy then replaces anxiety.
The meaning of all this, is that finding and having meaning is the cure
“Once you have found that which you are needed for you will have all that you need.”
“The purpose of life is a life of purpose.” – Robert Byrne
“The difference between need and want is the difference between soul and ego.” – Rabbi Laibl Wolf
Learn to speak soul language. Then speak to your soul, and let it speak to you. Before uttering a word to another, or taking an action, ask your soul whether it is for the benefit of only you or for another. Then listen
So Let’s Keep Digging!!
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Grateful Be Healthy Choose Wisely
Are You A Cynic, Or Don’t You Remember?*
There is a recent study that gives us more evidence of the benefits of a positive outlook. There have been many studies that have shown that a positive outlook leads to more happiness and better physical health, and vice-versa.
This study shows that people who are cynical (dictionary definition – believing that people are motivated by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity) are three times more likely to develop dementia.
If you don’t see the good in others, look harder. It might be easier to see the good in others if you “loved yourself as your fellow”. In other words, consider this:
“Your fellow is your mirror. If your own face is clean, so will be the image you perceive. But should you look upon your fellow and see a blemish, it is your own imperfection that you are encountering – you are being shown what it is that you must correct within yourself.” – The Baal Shem Tov
Look for the good in yourself, it’s there. Look for the good in others, it’s there. Look for the good in this world, it’s there. Believe in the overall good of humanity and believe that the world is improving. Then you will be happier, healthier, and better… Heart and Soul. Then you will also be contributing to an even better world.
“Interesting, isn’t it, how one can detect a speck on another’s hair, but can’t see flies on his own nose?” — Mendel Moicher Sefarim
“We don’t always see things as they are, we see things as we are” – Anais Nin
Always remember this
“One who is of good heart is festive always.” – Proverbs
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Grateful Be Healthy Choose Wisely
*Another Oldie but Goodie updated
Memorial Day 2022
As we exercise our freedoms, without which we couldn’t enjoy the activities of this day, without which you couldn’t be you, let us take a moment to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to attain and preserve our precious gift of freedom. We honor them by remembering them.
We honor them by saying that their sacrifice was not in vain when we continually remember to cherish and be grateful for the freedoms of each of us.
The fallen understood this:
“Liberty is one of the most precious gifts heaven has bestowed upon man. No treasures the earth contains or the sea conceals can be compared to it. For liberty one can rightfully risk one’s life”. —Don Quixote
“When you know what you are willing to die for, then you will know what to live for”. — Jewish saying
Certainly something to be grateful for
G-d Bless America
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Grateful Be Healthy Choose Wisely
I Hope This Helps
I recently remembered this story I once read.
There was a young girl and her father who were walking along a forest path. At some point, they came across a large tree branch. The girl asked her father, “If I try, do you think I could move that branch?” Her father replied, “I am sure you can, if you use all your strength.” The girl tried her best to lift or push the branch, but she was not strong enough. She said, with disappointment, “You were wrong, Dad. I can’t move it.” “Try again with all your strength,” replied her father. Again, the girl tried hard to push the branch. She struggled but it did not move. “Dad, I cannot do it,” said the girl. Finally, her father said, “My daughter, I advised you to use ‘all your strength,’ but you didn’t. You didn’t ask for my help.”*
There are times when we all need help. There are times when we are all needed to help.
When you need help, don’t be too proud or embarrassed to ask. Letting others in and help is using “all your strength” and will make you stronger.
When asked for help, give it. Sometimes it takes a listening heart, to know when someone is asking.
Help can be listening, emotional support, financial, guidance……. Whichever is needed, give as much as you can. Our true role is to give of ourselves, not necessarily to give our self, but to give of our self.
“To give and then not feel as one has given is the very best of all ways of giving.” – Max Beerbohm
“There is no better exercise for your heart, than reaching down and helping to lift someone up.” – Bernard Meltzer
If everything happens for a reason, and it does, then there is always a reason that two meet. Either to give, or to receive, or both! We are here to be givers and here to allow others to be givers
If we’re here to be givers, how can we also be receivers? By receiving what’s given, when needed, we give the other the gift of their being able to give.
Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Grateful Be Healthy
*I wish I remembered where I read this story, so that I could give proper attribution
The Spinning Rabbi - Heart & Soul 