You Don’t Have To Be Jewish (But You Can Eat Latkes)
Chanukah begins Tuesday night. It is a celebration of many miracles, from the victory of a small band of men fighting for their religious freedom against a very large and well equipped army to a small amount of oil lasting for eight days. The miracle of the oil represents the victory of light over darkness. At nighttime, Jews place their lit Menorahs in doorways or windows to bring light to the dark street and to all who see it. On the Menorah is a head candle called the Shamash which is used to light all the other candles. A candle lights other candles without losing any of its own light. Each of us can be like the Shamash and bring light to all whose lives we come into contact with. We differ from the candle in that when we light others we actually shine brighter. We all have that power through acts of goodness, kindness, and charity.
“Light vanquishes the darkness.” – Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, The Rebbe
“From one burning candle many candles are lit, yet its own light is not diminished.” – Numbers 11:17
A Soul Elevating Quote
“Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of G-d’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one’s self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another.” – Thomas Hughes
Smile, Especially If Your Heart is Aching
It is said that our purpose in life can be found in that which we find the most difficult to do. If everything happens for a purpose, then we can find at least a spark of our purpose in everyone we come into contact with. Sometimes it can be as simple as giving a smile. Yet sometimes that is very hard to do because we have a case of “I don’t feel like it– itis”. That’s precisely the moment to smile. That person was presented to you to take you out of yourself and bring you back to others. Your smile could be the only ray of sunshine they have seen that day.
If you are having a case of “I don’t feel like it– itis” now, then sing along with me “Gray clouds are gonna clear up, put on a happy face…wipe off that mask and cheer up.. put on a happy face.. and spread sunshine all over the place…just put on a happy face..” from Bye, Bye Birdie
“If a smile doesn’t begin from your heart, let it begin at your lips and it will reach yours and others hearts. Do this enough times and the smile will eventually begin from your heart more and more.”
Adapted from “Life is a Test” by Esther Jungreis
An Oldie But Goodie originally sent 1/25/11
A Soul Elevating Quote
“Whatever satisfies the soul is truth.” – Walt Whitman
A Soul Elevating Quote (Lyric)
“It’s the heart afraid of breaking that never learns to dance. It is the dream afraid of waking that never takes the chance. It is the one who won’t be taken who cannot seem to give. And the soul afraid of dying that never learns to live.” – Bette Midler
One you can sing. From the lyrics of the beautiful song “The Rose” by Bette Midler
The So Thoughtful Answer To Yesterday’s Dilemma
Drum Roll,Please…
The candidate who was hired (out of 200 applicants) had no trouble coming up with his answer. He simply answered: “I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the old lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.”*
For those who got it right, here is a bonus quote
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.” – Anonymous
*An Oldie But Goodie, originally sent 12/15/10
