Showing posts with label Body. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Body. Show all posts
March 21, 2023
October 2, 2022
Can Love Be Blind?
(Source Photo: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-a-lantern-7789180/)
August 30, 2022
Madness and The Soul
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 13, 2021
Shabbat Shalom Flower Painting
May 8, 2021
Shabbat: Time Vs. Space
When we choose to keep the Sabbath, we mark a day of the week in time, where we reject all the worldly pursuits of space and materialism in lieu of recognizing that there is a higher power, G-d Almighty, and that as Ahmari says 'everything else is ephemeral and passes away with time.'
What we do to make things holy in time rules over what we do purely physically in space, that nothing but G-d is timeless, and everything material reverts back to its origins and is gone from time as if it never even was. In the end, we need to live our lives with the forethought that the spirit goes to the everlasting afterlife, but the body goes to the physical grave.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 27, 2021
Staying Centered
I tried something new in the pool to tread water using the minimum energy.
At first, my body resisted and I started to flail with my arms and legs.
But then, I centered my mind and started to control my breathing.
My deep focused breaths raised my body above the water almost by itself.
My arms and legs relaxed and just was there for support.
It felt so good to be in a better state of self-control and mindfulness.
Always need to try and keep the mind still, centered, and in control of the body.
Focus, focus, focus! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 22, 2021
Lips on Display
October 24, 2020
The Elections: Perfecting Our Imperfections
Clearly, from the President on down to each and every one of us, we can be certain that none of us is perfect. However, G-d put us here, precisely, to have the opportunity to repair our imperfections. In this earthly world, our soul is tested, and we thereby have the opportunity to come out stronger and better because of it. The challenges in this world provide the "purification by fire" that our souls need to elevate themselves from past mistakes or imperfections. In essence, G-d in his ultimate benevolence — of love, kindness, and giving — bestows on us, His children, the chance to learn and grow and to realize our potential!
In short, while our elections leave us a lot to be desired in terms of the candidates for the highest office of this great land, we can see from the presidential candidates on down to the citizens of this country and to those around the world that there is both shortcomings and the potential for becoming the people that G-d knows we can really be.
(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)
May 1, 2020
Shabbat Shalom and Stay Healthy!
January 5, 2020
October 22, 2018
The Value of Pain
July 14, 2018
When Do You Become Old?
Some people seem to get old before their time.
They go about echting and kretzching--at 40 and 50, they are saying this hurts and I feel crummy about that! Nu, I'm not 18 anymore!
Other people never, literally almost never seem to get old.
One lady I know is going to be 94 this month and she is going strong mentally, emotionally, and physically. It almost seems impossible.
This guy in the photo has a funny shirt on that says:
"I thought growing old would take longer."
Yeah, it does sort of creep up on you, but really, really fast. Like where the heck did that come from!
I know inside for me, I always still feel like a kid.
I have the same funny side, playful side, and curious side; the desire to be productive and accomplish something meaningful with my life and time, and to love and be loved.
Yeah, things hurt a little more than they did years ago--can't believe the things I used to be able to do--Yes, at one time, I use to break cinder blocks with my bare hands, true!
But now, I can do other things like swim and hike and I love to write things that I am passionate about or to be a little creative too!
Maybe we do not get old...maybe we are just like caterpillars that morph into something else like butterflies during this life and into the life beyond.
Age is experience, learning, growth--lots of mistakes--and then recovering and trying again and harder.
Life is wonderment and excitement and appreciation for every amazing beautiful thing.
No, life does not get old.
Suffering and loss gets old quick and wish it never was.
But we are physical bodies with eternal souls, so we go on and on into the wild blue yonder. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 18, 2017
Shower Us With Peace
A peace of mind, spirit, and body.
A peace that permeates every aspect of our being and knows no limits to time and space.
May You grant us a complete saving and healing.
As threats loom large on the horizon, we look to the Heavens to ask for your merciful saving grace.
Enemies rise against us, and only you can reach down and lift us up.
We stand in your presence, naked and humbled.
As the winds blow and clouds gather, only you can protect and save.
While some men look arrogantly at their own strength and smarts, these are nothing to the Master of the Universe.
G-d uproots the wicked and plants his faithful children in their stead.
Peace is the ultimate blessing, and only G-d can grant it. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 11, 2017
Like Removing A Nail
Ouch!
So this week when I had a ingrown toenail removed, I said jokingly to the podiatrist:
"Do you do waterboarding also?"
Ok, funny, not-funny. Still got a chuckle!
But in removing the nail, the technique is really so amazing.
They inject the toe with a local anesthetic, but hey even the injections into a sensitive toe could be pretty uncomfortable.
So before the injection, they spray you toe with a freezing spray, so you don't even feel the injections.
When he actually removed the nail and chemically destroyed the nailbed so it wouldn't come back, I didn't feel a thing.
I mean, I literally didn't feel a thing!
It was a wonderful feeling--whatever he did, however much it would've hurt--it didn't.
I thought to myself in a wave of anesthetic and freeze-numbed delight, this is absolutely wonderful.
No pain, not even a pinch.
I could sense everything going on around me, take it in, think about it, even mull it over again and again, and just smile.
In a way, I thought how wonderful life would be to have the ability to think in the head and feel from the heart, but have no pain or suffering in the body.
Yes, there are plenty of damning and painful thoughts, memories, and heartaches, but for the body to be numb (even momentarily) to all the bad stuff that actually felt pretty good.
How would it feel if the mind and heart also felt no pain and only bliss--I smiled even more. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 8, 2017
Bad Boyz
When the bad boyz come to hurt the girls.
The bad boyz better watch out.
Feminism is alive and well.
Women are individuals full of rights and fights.
No one will take away what is theirs by G-d given creation of their soul and body.
Whoever tries to is destined to the dustbins of history.
Bad boyz, bad boyz...better recognize that women are people too.
And they are smart, resourceful, powerful, and good.
Sugar and spice and everything naughty and nice.
911, 911, 911...take this bad boyz away. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 13, 2016
A Last Act Of Giving
I had always believed this was the right thing to do, but knowing that there is a kosher way to do it, sealed the cause for me.
There are more than 123,000 Americans that need lifesaving organ transplants and every 10 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list, so if I don't need mine any more, I'd like to help someone that does.
While ideally, I would like to return my body to G-d in pristine condition the same way that I received it, I realize that life wears away at us and moreover, sometimes tragedy (G-d forbid) strikes.
Of course, I hope and pray for a long and healthy life, but if we are in a position to help, how can we not be there for those who need us in one last giving moment. ;-)
(Source Photo of Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 12, 2014
Cancer 101
The first diagram has a brief definition of cancer and the incidence of cancer type for males and females.
The second explains the stages of cancer, I through IV, and is shown in the small intestine, as an example.
This stuff is so scary and horrible.
The "C" word...we should never hear it, say it, or know from it anymore!
G-d should help us find a cure to rid this world of this disease.
Save us from that which afflicts us, and send us a complete healing of body, mind, and soul, Amen!!!
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 10, 2014
People That We Meet Each Day
So, who are the people in your neighborhood?
The people that you meet each day.
We meet and interact with all types of people...funny and nice to mean and scary.
Sometimes, you can see it on their faces--or especially in their eyes--who they are and what are their intentions.
Other times, looks can be grossly deceiving, and we really have no clue who or what we are dealing with--psychopath or good samaritan.
Lately, as I meet or pass people, I see them on two distinct levels:
One is the physcial body they are in...their outward manifestation...the shell or outer casing that houses "them."
Two is the soul or G-dly spirit on the inside...the real them...the part that lived before and will live on even after the outside body is long gone.
Our bodies are just housings for our souls...some people have physical disabilities, almost like a car that has broken parts over time...but what is inside perceives the greater reality and in a sense is both facilitated through and limited by our bodies--whether whole or broken.
Sometimes, I feel like I am just looking right through the person and am really seeing their inner essence soul.
Looks are just outside...inside is the real people we meet each day. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 25, 2014
What Will You Regret?
Think about it, could you imagine someone hooked up to IVs and palliative medicines saying, "Listen to me, one thing I've learned in this life is that work is it!"
Sure we should work hard and do a good job, but usually, it's the other way around, where people endlessly chase material things, wealth, power, and prestige...they work days, nights, weekends...and almost to hell with everyone and everything else.
Hey they say, with this beautiful excuse, "I've got to make a [good] living!"
So the people we love and should be caring about suffer, needlessly.
So of course, it goes without saying that we regret the mistakes we made, the opportunities to do good that we missed, and the hurt we caused others.
I have some colleagues though that I really admire...who work hard and do a damn good job--they are some of my best people, yet the funny thing is they put family first!
How can that be you say?
I don't know for sure, but perhaps because they know their real purpose in life, and live with balance (work-life, materialism-spiritualism, etc.) and true caring for others, they are able to be more sensible and balanced in getting their jobs done.
Honestly, these are the people that are able to get things done--presumably at home and with community--but I see it with my own eyes, at work.
Another thing...
My older daughter the other day sent me an article about people sick (with cancer etc.) and dying and how they look back at life and one thing they wish is that they had appreciated their bodies more.
I guess now that their bodies are sort of degrading with illness and age, they appreciate what they should've appreciated, but likely didn't before, their physical health.
Some of them said things like they wished they had exercised more, enjoyed sex more, spent time outside enjoying the beauty of the world more, and so on.
I've been thinking about this, about my body and my physical senses and what they mean to me.
What is the most beautiful thing I've ever seen, the sweetest smell, the best voice or music I've ever heard, the most luscious taste, or the softest thing I've touched.
It really is amazing the senses that G-d gave us and the beauty all around us that cradles us in this world.
We need to savor the great creation that G-d has bestowed on us and take care of those we love around us.
Maybe that's why we fight for life, until we can't any longer. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 24, 2014
Psychotherapy, In The Beginning
The girl is lying on some pillows on 2 chairs.
The Freudian doctor leans over the girl and is yanking on his goatee listening intently...and analyzing!
A man, that I assume is the girls dad is in the background, hovering protectively and hoping she is feeling better soon.
The mind, like the body, unfortunately can get sick.
And we need to take care of ourselves and seek help to get better.
Fear not the competent doctor who really cares and sincerely wants to help (and is not just in it as a pure business).
Pray that G-d guides him to heal you and give you strength in body and peace of mind. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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