(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)
February 28, 2018
Breaking The Cycle Of Trauma
Thought these are some beautiful sentiments about breaking the cycle of trauma in our lives:
"Hurt people hurt people.
That's how pain patterns get passed on, generation after generation after generation.
Break the chain today.
Meet anger with sympathy, contempt with compassion, cruelty with kindness.
Greet grimaces with smiles.
Forgive and forget about finding fault.
Love is the weapon of the future."- Yehuda Berg, The Kabbalah Center
This is powerful--it should only be that we can have a complete healing, betterment, and a renewal of peace for all.
One other thing that I heard that was so plain and simple, yet so smart was that:
One other thing that I heard that was so plain and simple, yet so smart was that:
Our job in this world is to do the most good that we can do!
Thank you to Minna Blumenthal for sharing all this.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 27, 2018
Politics On A Cow
As a child of Holocaust survivors, I certainly understand and can even sympathize with the view of the anti-fascist movement--certainly, we should all unequivocally appreciate, love, and want to protect freedom and human rights!
However, I think throwing around labels like fascist, perhaps where it is more about political disagreements doesn't help to identify the really bad actors out there in the world and what they can and even would like to do to harm all of us.
Anyway, I am pretty sure that this cow is no fascist.
I would also like to say that the red and black with this symbol here is way too close to looking like how the genocidal Nazi's themselves portrayed the dreaded and infamous swastika in red and black.
It would be great if we use symbols and labels carefully, and let the cows go back to being cows. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 26, 2018
What's Free And What's Not
"The dream is free, but the hustle is sold separately."
Yes, this is the home of the free.
And we are all able to dream BIG dreams.
However, without the hard work and hustle, dream are not made, but rather they die on the vine.
So dream big--imagine the very best.
Reach for the stars...
And then work your butt off to make it happen.
Choose carefully.
No one can have it all.
You have to prioritize.
Also, you need to balance.
In the end:
Dreams + Hard Work + Blessing From G-d
That's success by whatever standards you measure.
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
February 25, 2018
Improv, Let's Do it
We went to the Atlas Theater in Washington, D.C. and did Improv (no script).
For a Jewish kid from the Bronx, this was not something I was used to, but I loved it.
- Say your name and an animal with the same first letter and act it out.
- Say something you love or hate and everyone gravitates on the stage towards or from it based on whether they agree.
- Repeat a word and action from someone else and pass it on.
- Act out an action that someone else calls out after yelling "Let's do it!"
- As a group, answer a question from the audience, by each person adding a word to the aggregated answer.
- Give your neighbor a pretend object and after they identify what they think it is and thank you for it, you explain why you gave it to them.
- Stand on an emotion (happy, sad, angry, scared) and act out a scene with someone else rotating through the feelings.
- Pretend you're a hitchhiker and infest the emotion with everyone else in the car.
I was really amazed at how good so many people were with doing these exercises.
And I felt it was so freeing to be doing it too.
I feel like I really learned a lot about being comfortable with yourself and just letting your inhibitions go and even though it was scary and hard, I would like to do this again.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 24, 2018
Iron Maiden Torture
This is called an Iron Maiden.
It is from Nuremberg, Germany.
This one is from Medieval times, but they were apparently still around even in the 19th century!
It has 14 spikes on the inside that were designed to pierce the eyes, throat, and heart.
People placed for torture and death in the Iron Maiden sarcophagus would be completely mutilated.
Is this one of the reasons that so many people suffer from claustrophobia?
I remember seeing in a movie where someone was placed in a dungeon cell, but this one was carved into the rock wall horizontally.
The prisoner would be forced to lie down in it with iron bars caged over the side vertically.
S/he could not sit up, roll over, or move.
Can you imagine the sheer terror and torture?
How people could be so evil and inflict such suffering on others and often for crimes like heresy is extremely hard to understand.
Why in G-d's name does anyone call it the "good 'ol days?"
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 22, 2018
Not Every Problem Requires A High-Tech Solution
Yes, it's a "Smart" car.
But more important is this guy parked his car in a very smart way.
The spot was too small even for this micro urban car.
So he just parked it sideways--and poof it fits.
Also, look how easy it is for him to drive out of the spot when he's ready.
Now, I'm not one to say whether this is legal or not (his rear wheels are on the sidewalk, of course).
Still there is something refreshing about this solution.
Nothing high-tech about it -- he didn't need to move the cars further apart or shrink his own vehicle, rather just think out of the box.
Frankly, it works, and I think this guy deserves the parking spot--so right on dude! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 21, 2018
From Malware To Malevolent People
1) Signature Detection - There are known patterns of viruses and the antivirus software looks for a match against one of these.
2) Behavior Detection - There are known patterns of normal behavior on the computer, and the antivirus software looks for deviations from this.
Each has certain weaknesses:
- With signature detection, if there is a zero-day exploit (i.e. a virus that is new and therefore which has no known signature) then it will not be caught by a blacklist of known viruses.
- While with behavior detection, some viruses that are designed to look like normal network or application behavior will not be caught by heuristic/algorithm-based detection methods.
For defense-in-depth then, we can see why employing a combination of both methods would work best to protect from malware.
It's interesting that these same techniques for recognizing bad computer actors can be used for identifying bad or dangerous people.
We can look for known signatures/patterns of evil, abusive, and violent behaviors and identify those people according to their bad actions.
Similarly, we generally know what "normal" looks like (within a range of standard deviations, of course) and people who behave outside those bounds could be considered as potentially dangerous to themselves or others.
Yes, we can't jump to conclusions with people -- we don't want to misjudge anyone or be overly harsh with them, but at the same time, we are human beings and we have a survival instinct.
So whether we're dealing with malware or malevolent individuals, looking at patterns of bad actors and significant deviations from the normal are helpful in protecting your data and your person. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 20, 2018
Mikva = Tikva
It promotes holiness and sanctity in the family.
Mikva (Jewish ritual bath) = Tikva (hope)
Rebirth and renewal (from the immersion in the holy water).
Build your family in sanctity!
Purity leads to sanctity.
The Jewish laws of refraining from sexual relations during Nidda (a women's menstruation) and of immersing in the mikvah at the end of the cycle and before the husband and wife coming back together physically are cornerstones of acting with self-control and a couple dedicating themselves to Hashem first.
The family is the core of raising and educating our children and of the makeup of the community and ultimately of serving G-d in everything we do.
Self-control (with sexual purity, kosher food, Sabbath time, etc.) is what separates us from animals and how we emulate being more like the angels.
It is also a way for a husband and wife to elevate their love and show respect for each other as human beings and not just physical beings.
I never saw a clock that reminds us of these holy concepts and laws like this.
Also at the top it says another well-known Jewish quote about managing our time wisely:
"The day is short and the task is great."
Another good reminder to maximize the use of our time every day here on Earth and to make the most out of every moment.
If we dedicate ourselves to serving G-d, raising our families, being productive professionally and personally, and acting with integrity and sanctity always--this is a good life! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 19, 2018
When People Fear You, You're Not A Leader
"Leadership is action, not position."
And actions demonstrate a good or evil heart.
When everyone hates a leader is that a "leader?"
- Fear is not leadership.
- Bullying is not leadership.
- Corruption is not leadership.
Leadership is:
- Showing others what is right and being a good influence.
- Rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work alongside everyone else.
- Helping others to achieve their potential.
- When others see you as a leader based on your integrity of purpose and actions.
How we treat others is as true a test of leadership as of where we want to go and how we want to get there.
G-d sees everything man (leader or not) does, and only He in Heaven is the Leader of Leaders and the King of Kings. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 18, 2018
Together 4Ever
"The spades go.
Two lips together.
Twilight forever.
Bring back my love to me."
When 2 people are together, it's as if the angels in heaven themselves are dancing and singing.
Love seems to make everything in the world right again.
Recently, an old person from my building lost his wife of over 60 years!
I see him around and while he continues to go about doing his everyday things, I can see that he misses his wife so much.
He is broken, and his strength is gone.
I remember my grandfather and father the same way when they lost my grandmother and mother, respectively.
Completely devastating to them--their wives were their lives and what made them complete-- afterward, they were never really the same.
Our companions are truly our other halves.
When someone asked the old man from my building how he was doing late last week, he simply responded:
"I'm getting along the best that I can."
He said it was such sadness and loneliness for his wife who passed that his words literally cut right through me.
People need each other--no one is an island--and especially loving couples who have been together for decades and decades--they are for each other and with each other, even if "together forever" is just a song that children sing...it is what we all ultimately wish for. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 17, 2018
That Smug Face, Evil Haman
That Smug Face, Evil Haman.
Reclining back with legs crossed.
Know-it-all, interrupting others rudely.
Abusive, hurtful words.
Violent, loud, aggressive actions.
Narcissist, my way or the highway.
For their power and desires only.
They believe that might makes right.
In every generation, they rise to perpetuate suffering on others.
But G-d stands supreme.
He will evoke his judgment and rain His fiery wrath on the oppressive, evil, and haughty.
And He will restore good over evil in the world.
His faithful will praise His holy name forever.
February 16, 2018
It's For Us
I love this saying from one of my colleagues:
"G-d doesn't do it to us.
He does it for us!"
Instead of asking with anger and resentment "why me?" -- perhaps we can try to see the larger picture and be grateful for all the blessings and opportunities that G-d does give us.
While certainly there is pain and suffering in this world, there is also the chance to learn, grow, and become stronger and better people.
We are here to hopefully leave the world a better place than before we got here.
The perspective that the challenges and obstacles are not meant to really harm us, but to help us is not an easy pill to swallow.
But maybe it really is the enlightened view of faith that we all need to fight on and overcome. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Who Says Flying Can't Be More Enjoyable
February 15, 2018
Change Everybody Loves To Hate
"Everybody hates the status quo
but nobody wants to change."
How's that for a conundrum.
The question is are we more unhappy with the dysfunctional way things are or are we more afraid to make the necessary changes in our life?
I think that when the pain and dysfunction of the status quo are greater than the fear and inconvenience of changing, only then will people quite resisting and adapt to the new reality.
Welcome to change! ;-)
(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
February 14, 2018
Valentine's Day Fashion Wow!
I can't imagine who would make such a thing, but WOW!
This guy is a walking Mr. Charming.
Forget the sales job in the jewelry store, I would put him right on the "The Bachelor" season whatever.
Who isn't going to fall in love with this guy?
"Matchmaker matchmaker make me a match.Love wins over hate...
Find me a find.
Catch me a catch."
Happy Valentine's Day! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 13, 2018
Cyber Attacks Typology
STRIDE
Spoofing - Falsifying identity to gain systems access
Tampering - Making unauthorized changes to data or systems
Repudiation - Forging identify of actions to data or system to deny responsibility or even blame a 3rd party
Information Disclosure - Stealing (exfiltrating) information and disclosing it to unauthorized individuals
Denial of Service - Depriving legitimate users access to data or systems
Elevation of Privilege - Transforming user account to allow it to exceed legitimate user privileges (e.g. admin account or superuser)
Funny-sad enough, these six types of cyber attacks can cause any information security officer to lose their stride. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal
February 12, 2018
The Culture Key To Organizational Success
I believe this is especially the case in terms of three critical competency areas:
- Communication - needs to be timely, constructive, multi-directional, and with emotional intelligence.
- Trust - must be be based on honesty and integrity including consistently supporting the success of everyone professionally and as a organization.
- Collaboration - must be be anchored in respecting, valuing, empowering, and rewarding each and every person for their views and the contributions, both individually and as team members, and in treating diversity and collaboration, as a true force-multiplier.
If any of these elements are missing or broken then it does not seem to me that the organization will be able to be successful for the long term.
Organizational success is built on ingredients that strengthen the ties of leadership and individuals and that foster contribution as individuals and as team members.
No amount of smart, innovative, and even hard work, in my mind, will make up for shortfalls in these critical organizational success factors.
So when planning for organizational success, make sure to build these in from the get-go.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 11, 2018
They Really Think They Deserve It
Many wield it like they own it and deserve it.
I wonder sometimes with billions of other people in the world without adequate food, water, plumbing, medicine, or a solid roof over the heads, how the mighty can think they are above it all.
Do they look around--do they see anyone else but themselves?
They seem drunk with themselves and what they have--and very overconfident.
Worshipping self and all the honor and materialistic success--they forget where it comes from and what they are supposed to be doing with it to help others.
Yet, G-d and His angels can strike in but a split second.
Those that are high and mighty can be brought low and those that are in the depths of despair can be uplifted.
But at the will of G-d Almighty.
At the top, people may erroneously think and come to believe that they are smarter or more deserving--and so what's theirs is theirs for the taking and keeping.
They think "To hell" with everyone else--they are the little people.
Perhaps, they even come to enjoy squashing them underfoot.
They really believe and savor the power and even think it's forever.
Yet the wheel of life turns and often abruptly--illness, accidents, misfortune...it comes seemingly from nowhere when G-d breaths justice.
How silly of the powerful and wealthy to think they are the untouchable and the forever mighty.
G-d sees the good and the bad in the people--and ultimately, there is no escape from the King of Kings.
Wealth and power are earthly and fleeting, but the will of G-d is all that endures.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 10, 2018
Among All The Apples
Sort of how I felt after synagogue today and at other times.
I've learned the importance as my father had so often tried to teach me of going to synagogue.
Yes, the prayer and service to Hashem.
But also the community.
We all need people.
None of us is an island.
At synagogue, aside from the opportunity to speak and be close with G-d, I appreciate the hearty calls of "Shabbat Shalom," the embracing handshakes, hugs and occasional kisses, the chance to see and kiss the holy Torah, and being among friends.
Like the apples, we're all sort of the same, yet unique, and we stand together.
As apples, we all have our glowing and shiny outsides, a sweet inner core, and also plenty of juicy meat.
People too put on their best clothes, shoes, and do themselves to look their best going to synagogue, and inside they are there to express their goodness with G-d and the community.
Also though, you hear plenty of the heartbreaking stories about what is happening to them as families and individuals.
Sure, there are the lovely smachot (happy occasions) in their and our lives to celebrate, but there is also plenty of adversity and challenges faced daily.
One member passed away this week, another is getting cancer treatments, and someone got hit by a car crossing the street and is in the hospital with literally 79 screws holding their ribs together!
Then there are those out looking for work, others suffering from bad marriages or getting divorced, someone with a sick child that needs lifelong care, and someone who even got robbed this week.
Yes, shiny on the outside and with the sweetness of souls and hearts, and yet everyone has their baskets of challenges to deal with.
For someone like me, I literally feel it inside for people--it's like I can almost imagine what it must be like to be in their shoes.
Obviously, I can't--no one really can--but I imagine myself and ask myself OMG what in the world would I do--and of course, I have no real idea.
Synagogue is I guess the most perfect place to experience all this--since we are before G-d, asking for his blessings and mercy, and with others, we bond to who are all in the same boat paddling and trying to survive and live a full and meaningful life. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 9, 2018
The Bright Side
In turn, I am paying it forward to you all, and hope that you enjoy it's meaning, which is really quite profound and inspiring.
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind.
She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her.
She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her,’ Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?'
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear, for before they were yours, they were mine.'
This is how the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life is a gift.
Today before you say an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to Almighty G-d for a companion.
Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who died too young.
Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.
But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one Maker.
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank G-d you're alive and still around.(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 8, 2018
Adversity Is Not What You Think
This TEDx video is truly WOW!
Definitely worth watching in full.
So many takeaways from this that I want to remember.
- Three things can happen in life:
1. What you hope will happen
2. What you fear will happen
3. What actually happens
- There is not always a tomorrow!
Think if you were paralyzed from the neck down, what would you wish you had done differently, and go do it.
- See adversity as a gift:
1. It is harsh and ruthless.
2. It shows up unannounced.
3. It doesn't care what you want.
4. It doesn't give a darn how you feel.
5. It doesn't take no for an answer.
6. It hates your weakness.
7. It is your best teacher.
8. It is the most honest person you will ever encounter.
9. It forces you to up your game.
10. It knows your true potential even if you don't.
11. It offers you no other choice, so the choice is simple.
12. At the end of the day, we are only as strong as the adversity we overcome!
13. It will recede, but the lessons will always remain.
14. It will strengthen you to endure your next battle, stronger and wiser than before.
15. How we overcome adversity is by facing it head on. (If you try to avoid it, it can crush you; and if you try to go around it, you will never avoid it's grasp.)
My absolute congratulations and gratitude to Marcus Aurelius Anderson on this magnificent and brilliant talk and lessons for all of us!
And thank you Minna Blumenthal for sharing this wisdom with me!
February 7, 2018
Cross The Street
"When you see crazy coming, cross the street!"
I remember learning similarly from experts that the first lesson in self defense is always:
"If you can run, run!"
That doesn't mean your not strong or courageous.
It's just common sense to try to avoid trouble if you can.
When people seriously fight, both usually can end up with a black eye or worse.
And there are truly a lot of crazies out there.
Peace is always desired.
But strength (and preparedness) is always required.
This makes sense as well in the larger context of the USA upgrading it's nuke arsenal and other weapons systems and platforms to deter enemy aggression.
Thus, peace through strength and of course, prayer! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 6, 2018
Sexual Harassment No, No, No
There were some good general tips for managers confronting these challenging situations:
1) Address it quickly
2) Discuss it privately
3) Specify the problem behaviors
4) Get commitment that it won't happen again
5) Document what occurred
It's not rocket science, but thought this was useful guidance.
Unfortunately, people don't always behave appropriately, but hopefully, individuals and society as a whole can learn to do much better. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 5, 2018
Strong Coffee People
Two arms and a big "A" in the middle.
Need to remain strong despite whatever life throws at us.
So it's not just strong coffee or biceps!
But rather strong character, integrity, spirit, and faith that's really important.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal with compliments to the artist)
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