Showing posts with label Ego. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ego. Show all posts
November 19, 2024
July 21, 2024
U.S. Secret Service Circles The Wagons
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Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "U.S. Secret Service Circles The Wagons."
Aside from Trump who was almost assassinated, and the innocent civilians killed and wounded, and our heart and prayers go out to all of them, I cannot help but wonder what damage all this has done to the trust and respectability of our nation in the eyes of our allies and the fear and deterrence before the ongoing threats from our adversaries.
(AI generated image via Designer)
June 1, 2024
Don't Be So Humble; You're Not That Great
G-d is the source of everything, and the greatest opportunity for human beings is to connect to the source and fulfill G-d's commandments to make the mundane into the holy and the worldly into the heavenly. Just as G-d is the creator, He created humans so that we have the ability to reach out to the source and perfect ourselves in His image. This is the ultimate good that G-d gives to humanity: the capacity to connect with and be close to the creator through our own choices and actions.
(AI generated image via Designer)
September 17, 2023
Rosh Hashanah Reflections
(Credit Photo: Ri_Ya via https://pixabay.com/photos/shana-tova-honey-sweet-jewish-4496748/)
August 2, 2023
In The Quiet Hours
April 23, 2023
Jealous Over Nothing
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- The precious time we have with our loved ones
- Selflessly caring for and giving to others
- Living faithful, holy lives in the eyes of the Almighty
(Source Photo: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/room-money-dollar-wealth-success-1288438/)
April 7, 2023
Lessons From Chabad in Humility This Passover
If we can remove the arrogance from our homes and hearts, then we can be better people: humble, selfless, giving, and standing side by side rather than sitting high and mighty, which only G-d Almighty deserves.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 13, 2022
June 25, 2022
Not by Chariots or Horses
As I watched through the window of the synagogue, the people practicing their boxing, I remembered when I was young and learning to fight. It took an enormous amount of training, hard work, and practice, and still at the end of the day, the realization always that we are but the foot soldiers for G-d. We must be the best prepared in every way that we can (“Never again!”); however, it is G-d who not only leads us, but also fights for us. In the Prophets (Joshua 6), we learn that Hashem literally brought down the walls of the great city of Jericho simply by having Joshua and the Israelites march around it, blow the Shofar, and yell a great shout. So too may G-d continue to fight for us against the enemies in our time and speedily complete the final redemption.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 5, 2022
Synagogue Politics
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called "Synagogue Politics."
Clearly, the mobile sanctuary and later the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and now our synagogues are “Houses of G-d,” where we go to pray, learn Torah, and worship Him, and where He resides among us. Sure, G-d is everywhere, but the synagogue/Temple is a unique, special, and spiritual place where we as community dedicate ourselves to G-d and worship Him. It should go without saying that the synagogue is not a place for petty politics, protests, or other antics.
As Jews, we are supposed to make a “Kiddush Hashem” (sanctification of G-d’s name) and not Chillul Hashem (desecration of G-d), and so my hope and prayer is that people in this synagogue and in every synagogue, can “let go” and instead “let G-d.”
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal, Image for Illustration Only)
December 11, 2021
Dancing on the Head of a Pin
We’re all different, and we all have something to say and contribute to solve life’s challenges. While some of us may think that they are better than others, the reality is that we are all human, fallible, and subject to life’s circumstance and G-d’s mighty hand. However, too often, we let ego get in the way, and instead of taking on the huge, almost insurmountable challenges that we face, we end up fighting about who’s in charge and who gets the credit.As we face the daunting challenges confronting America, Israel, and the world, we need effective “servant-leaders,” who are guided by a genuine moral compass and faith in G-d to take well-reasoned actions and not to punt the problems down the political road. Real leadership means leaving your ego at the door; it means self-sacrifice, compassion, creative thinking, and bold problem-solving. Big challenges can be dealt with, but we’ve got to have the right measure of ourselves, strength of character, and unity of purpose to finally overcome them.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 20, 2021
Demeaning Candlestick Holders
It figures that an extremely rich person would have candlestick holders like this.
They think it's ok to have your "personal servants" bring you and hold your lights.
Even as they are in spiritual darkness enslaving their fellow human beings.
No, their not helping people by giving them a (shitty) job even as they routinely mistreat them.
Where are people's (screwed up) brains?
The wealthy often actually believe they are entitled to their grossly extravagant lifestyles.
Wait they they come back in the next life and they'll see what they are entitled to! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 13, 2021
Comfy Legs
Cross, uncross, cross.
Of course, the dress pants and shoes aren't so comfortable.
Do clothes really make the wo/man?
Here, there's no real clothes or should I say person to speak of.
Clothes is better than a fig leaf for Adam and Eve.
Much of clothing is just "look your best" and try to "feel good" vanity.
The soul is what really makes the person. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
February 10, 2021
Without a Brain or Soul
A real skull, all hollowed out.
Sockets for the eyes, and a big hole where the nose goes.
The ears are gone too.
The skull is sawed open at the top, where the brain goes.
Not much left of the rotting teeth.
The soul is departed and is somewhere in the afterlife.
This should go a long way to humbling any human being.
What's outside really doesn't count for much, and what's inside is everything. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
January 22, 2021
Let Go of the Ego and Follow G-d
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Let Go of the Ego and Follow G-d."As we know, Pharaoh refused to let the Jews go from Egypt, whether because G-d hardened his heart for some of the plagues or he just couldn’t bear to see his Jewish slaves free through the final knock-out rounds. Through ten plagues that destroyed Egypt and much of their people, including their first born males in the tenth plague, Pharaoh is intransigent and suffers the terrible consequences....Aside from Pharaoh, perhaps the second most stubborn individual in the Torah is Bilam, who was asked by Balak, the king of Moav, to curse the Jews....even though each and every time, G-d instead blessed them.
In both cases, it is clear that no individual, whether a king or a prophet, can go against that which G-d has decreed!
The lesson is clear: it is best to try to see what direction G-d is leading us forward in and to follow Him all the way, not only because that is the path of least resistance, but because that is what we are meant to do and where we are meant to go in our lives.
The lesson is clear: it is best to try to see what direction G-d is leading us forward in and to follow Him all the way, not only because that is the path of least resistance, but because that is what we are meant to do and where we are meant to go in our lives.
(Credit Photo: Minna Meles)
July 11, 2020
Super Cufflinks
These will definitely make you feel special.
Maybe like a quasi Superhero.
Some may think you're a little arrogant and all that.
But maybe you just are hoping to be super at whatever you do.
It's good to have an imagination and aspiration, and maybe a little sense of humor and fun.
As long as you don't let it go to your head or to your pompous a**. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumetnhal)
April 18, 2020
Not That Great!
Don't be so humble; you're not that great!
Nice way to pop someone's oversized bubble of an ego and tell them to put a cork in it.
Or as my dad used to say:
He's not a big shot; he's a big sh*t!
Anyway, she had a sharp mind (like my dad) and was an amazing leader that Golda. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 7, 2019
Ocean of Words
An ocean of words and a desert of ideas.
Too often, we hear people who like to hear themselves talk, think very highly of themselves, show off, or just spout away.
And while they say a lot...
There may not be a lot there.
New ideas, thoughts, ways of looking at things, innovation, creativity, outside the box thinking--that's like a desert!
In Yiddish (and it's always funnier in Yiddish), we say:
A big, big mouth, and a tiny, tiny head.
Similarly, in Hebrew, there is phrase that translates to:
Say a little, and do a lot.
Sometimes, the smartest people are the ones who use their words wisely, strategically, with depth and meaning, and when they really have something to say.
It's at that time that you better be listening. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 11, 2019
Black Hole--What's Really Important?
It measures about 25 billion miles across--about the size of 29,000 suns.
If this doesn't make you (with all the money, smarts, good looks, and ego to match) feel small, nothing will.
We are but a speck of dust in this vast universe (maybe not even that).
Perspective is in order for your life and what it means.
Forget the money-grubbing and honor-seeking.
Realize what's really important is what you do in terms of choosing right from wrong and good over evil in every small thing you do. ;-)
(Photo Credit: Event Horizon Telescope)
December 20, 2018
Don't Get a Huge Hierarchy or a Big Fat Flat
Too hierarchical and you can get lost in the maze of corner offices.
Too flat, and there is no one to make a darn decision.
Huge hierarchies can be costly and inefficient, but flat as a board organization are mob rule.
I think there has got to be a happy medium.
- One, where there is leadership, accountability, a reasonable span of control, and room for professional growth.
- Two, where there is dignity and respect for everyone, and your tile and level doesn't make any difference in terms of having your voice heard and being able to make a difference.
Hierarchies that reach to the pompous sky and flat organizations where all the air is let out and nothing can get done are those that need to be hailed away in a big menacing orange wheel lock.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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