July 13, 2022
David Slays Goliath
May 30, 2022
1,000 Days of Duolingo
1,000 days trying to learn Hebrew.
I still have such a long way to go.
But as they say, it's the journey. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
1,000 Days of Duolingo
November 13, 2021
“Rock and Roll” With Chabad
People are often blocked from moving forward by uncertainty, indecision, insecurity, self-doubt, hesitancy, worry, and fear, yet one man, such as Jacob, can stand up and move that big rock off the well if he just sets his mind to it and tries!The bottom line is that when people say it can’t be done or to wait because it will take an entire village of shepherds to simply move the rock from the well, instead we can see that even one determined person can “rock and roll,” make a difference, and start to make something special and meaningful happen.
“Rock and Roll” With Chabad
November 10, 2021
The Amazing Turtle
Peaceful and protected.
They live in water and land.
Not the fastest, but the most determined. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
The Amazing Turtle
August 29, 2021
Israeli Determination and the Afghanistan Debacle
It’s not always the largest, strongest, fastest, and best financed that wins. Like with the story of David and Goliath or even one of my modern-day heroes, Rocky, the determination of the little guy can overcome the biggest and the best of them. The Taliban were patient and over twenty years continued to wage their struggle against us, but more than that they knew that our patience was limited and that eventually we would leave, and they took the long view and planned for the overthrow of the government and the return of their rule after we were gone. They waited us out and that can be an incredibly successful strategy!Israel is the Jewish homeland and the Biblical Promised Land from G-d. What the Palestinians haven’t understood in all these years, since the State’s founding in 1948, is that no matter how long they try to wait us out, we have more determination than they have patience! The Jewish people will never give up our historical and legitimate rights to be a sovereign nation in our land, Israel. In the end, the Palestinians may be very patient, but we are the ones who are utterly determined: whether Ashkenazi or Mizrachi, Labor or Likud, Tel Avivian or Jerusalemite, one thing that we all fundamentally agree on is our sheer and utter determination as the Jewish people to survive and be a free nation in our land.
(Source Photo: Pixabay)
Israeli Determination and the Afghanistan Debacle
August 3, 2021
You Got To Make It!
You do not find the happy life.
You make it!
Too many people seem to wait for miracles, like manna from Heaven to give them what they need or want.
They don't realize that G-d has gifts us what we need (including strength and determination) to work towards these things ourselves.
We are not the Israelites stuck in the barren desert for 40 years that we need it to rain manna.
Of course, it's nice every once in a while when a miracle shows up and we are given an extra hand (or maybe even a full arm).
But day-to-day, we have to at least try to be self-reliant--as well as work with others--to work towards our goals and fulfill our missions in life.
You got to make it happen if you want it bad enough. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
You Got To Make It!
June 29, 2021
Light It Up!
As they say, take the bull by the horns.
Stop waiting for the light at the end of the tunnel, and light it up yourself.
You have to do you part and G-d will do His!
(Source Photo: A Friend)
Light It Up!
May 15, 2021
Israel's Last Stand
It is the mere fact of our Jewish existence that irks our Anti-Semitic, terrorist enemies. This is why the world does not care, and may actually even cheer while Palestinian terror rockets fly overhead, hundreds at a time, into major population centers in Israel. From 5-year old, Ido Avigal, killed by shrapnel in Sderot to an 87-year old woman killed near Ashdod while running from rocket fire, nowhere seems safe, including in cars, homes, walking down the street, and even "safe rooms."Like it or not, every rocket, every suicide bomber, every attacker will be met and defeated—from north to south and east to west—because the Jewish people will not be driven out; this is our last stand and we will survive.
(Source Photo: Pixabay)
Israel's Last Stand
May 5, 2021
From Point A To Point A+
Take it stroke by stroke.
Don't worry about getting all the way from point A to Z.
Instead just focus on getting from point A to point A+.
Just take the first stroke and then another and another.
Like one foot in front of the other.
See how far you've come!
You're on the way to point Z but you don't have to drink the ocean in one gulp to get there. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
From Point A To Point A+
April 2, 2021
Climbing Up, Falling Down
All paths up are different.All paths down are the same.
Climbing Up, Falling Down
February 26, 2021
It’s Never About Luck
Today is Purim, when we celebrate the Jewish victory over the evil Haman and his conspiracy to annihilate the Jews in the Persian Empire. Haman drew a lottery to determine what he thought was a fortuitous day, the 13th of Adar, to murder the Jewish people and pursued this plot through a decree by King Achashverosh. But as we know, G-d made miracles through Queen Esther and her uncle Mordechai, and Haman and his ten sons ended hanging by the noose that he built for Mordechai.
This has been my personal experience as well, as I can see both now and in 20/20 hindsight that there is a definite Divine method and not just a world of random chance and madness.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
It’s Never About Luck
August 1, 2020
Parachute Running
Sprinting with a parachute on for added resistance.
Add in the hot, humid, summer sun burning down.
And you have yourself a decent exercise routine going on.
Hurry up and slow down.
You run yes, but the parachute says no.
Go! go!! go!!!
You're almost over the finish line. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Parachute Running
June 8, 2020
Holding Back The Tide
They are also standing the test of time.
We all need to push back against the tide when wrong is pushing forward.
Whether its corruption or violence.
Be like a rock!
Choose good over evil in every situation. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Holding Back The Tide
June 2, 2020
You've Got To Do It
Imagine all the wonderful things that will never happen if you do not do them.
You've got to get up and get out there and try.
Never say never.
Success is within reach.
Rocky, Rocky, Rocky! ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
You've Got To Do It
April 4, 2020
From Hate To Love
Important to me.
It's about who I thought I was and...
Who I became.
Truly, I went full circle from a child's hate to an adult's love relationship with:
- Reading
- Writing
- Swimming
- Hebrew
As a kid, I tried to avoid these like the plague, and as an adult I like to practice these every single day of my life.
I wonder to myself is it that I strove to become good (or decent) at what I have previously been bad at or was somehow afraid of.
Yet now, they are integral to my life, learning, and growth.
Like the hands of a clock that circle and tick the hours and minutes.
My life takes me full circle and brings me home to who I am and what I really love spending time at. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
From Hate To Love
March 27, 2020
You Can Overcome It!
It says:
Courage is endurance for one moment more.
Just when you feel that you cannot go on for another moment.
Just when you are at your very limit.
Just when you've reached your total breaking point.
Then...
You take that deep breath and focus your mind intently.
You disassociate yourself from the pain and struggle.
You see the challenge in front of you for what it really is and you raise yourself above and beyond it.
Your inner spirit is so much greater than its power over you.
You have the inner faith and can endure whatever it is.
You can overcome it! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
You Can Overcome It!
November 28, 2019
November 25, 2019
Surfing USA Beach
Even when you fall down, you should always rise up again!
(Credit Videos: Andy Blumenthal)
Surfing USA Beach
November 9, 2019
Making The Impossible, Possible
Even though the Jewish people are a tiny minority in the world, through our faith, determination, and the help of G-d, we are able to survive against all odds, contribute to the world far beyond our mere numbers, and succeed in truly incredible ways. From Einstein, Freud, and Marx to Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison, we are a people that punches way above our weight.
I believe the lessons of faith and determination is one that we can all take away from the tests of our forefathers in the Bible to the flourishing modern State of Israel and to how we live our own lives today. G-d tests all of us, and if we go forward and answer His calling with a full heart and perseverance, G-d will help us to succeed above our wildest of dreams and even beyond the very laws of nature.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Making The Impossible, Possible
July 30, 2019
Win Rocky Win
And it arrived, all wrapped up nicely, in the mail yesterday.
Rocky working out and training.
His shirt says:
Win Rocky Win
I posed him with his arms up in the air like after a fight in the ring.
Love his fighting spirit, determination, and integrity.
Overcoming against all odds.
Great inspiration.
Some say we actually look alike. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Win Rocky Win