It's funny that just as I am expressing gratitude for the peace, mindfulness, and zen good feelings, a plane is loudly flying overhead in this Florida park.
No winning even in nature anymore! ;-)
(Source Video: Dannielle Blumenthal)
Showing posts with label Meaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meaning. Show all posts
December 23, 2018
@Tree Top Park, Davie, Florida
It's funny that just as I am expressing gratitude for the peace, mindfulness, and zen good feelings, a plane is loudly flying overhead in this Florida park.
No winning even in nature anymore! ;-)
(Source Video: Dannielle Blumenthal)
December 12, 2018
Loneliness Is Death
Frightening loneliness statistics:
- One in 11 Americans over age 50 "lacks a spouse, partner, or living child."
- More than 1 in 4 baby boomers is divorced or never married.
- 1 out of every 6 people lives alone.
Research indicates that loneliness leads to early death.
The impact of loneliness is equivalent to:
- Smoking 15 cigarettes a day
- Drinking 6 alcoholic beverages a day
Loneliness is worse for mortality than:
- Obesity
- Physical activity
"The effect of isolation is extraordinarily powerful...we have to address loneliness," says the former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Whether you are extroverted or introverted, we all need human interaction, sharing, caring, touch, and love.
Truly, no man is an island!
Those that are stranded on loneliness island need to escape it and make their way back to human civilization.
Alone our lives are dull and stunted; but together, we have the inherent social dynamics to be able to experientially learn, grow, change and mature.
Alone we die--together we live.
It's not just power in numbers, it's life itself.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 7, 2018
Bills, Health, and Purpose
He was telling me about some of life's stresses at work, home, etc., and he said even though every looks forward to retirement "one day," the problems don't go away.
He mentioned some examples of people he knows that retired relatively young and with a pension.
Nevertheless, he said:
They still worry about bills, about health, and mostly about purpose!
And even though they don't have the day-to-day grind in the office, he said:
Their own stress is as real to them as mine is to me.
I couldn't help reflecting on his words and thinking how smart this was.
No one has it all!
Everyone is this world has fears, worries, and problems.
And you know what? It's okay.
Life is about us confronting what seems unconfrontable and becoming better human beings because we did. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
September 29, 2018
There is Meaning
On Sukkot, we read Megillat Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) about "vanity of vanities; all is vanity"--everything is temporal in this world and seems meaningless. Yet in what we perceive as meaningless, there is truly so much meaning when we understand the bigger picture of what is happening to us and perhaps why.
G-d works in mysterious ways and bad things can and do turn into good things too. ;-)
(Source Photo of Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 17, 2018
What Is Life?
Here is a great parable that speaks to the meaning of life:
A man died.
A man died.
When he realized it, he saw God coming closer with a suitcase in his hand.
Dialog between God and Dead Man:
God: *Alright son, it’s time to go*
Man: So soon? I had a lot of plans.
God: *I am sorry but, it’s time to go*
Man: What do you have in that suitcase?
God: *Your belongings*
Man: My belongings? You mean my things...clothes...money...
God; *Those things were never yours, they belong to the Earth*
Man: Is it my memories?
God: *No. They belong to Time*
Man: Is it my talent?
God: *No. They belong to Divine Providence*
Man: Is it my friends and family?
God: *No son. They belong to the Path you traveled*
Man: Is it my wife and children?
God: *No. they belong to your Heart*
Man: Then it must be my body
God: *No, No... It belongs to Dust*
Man: Then surely it must be my Soul!
God: *You are sadly mistaken son. Your Soul belongs to me.*
Man: I never owned anything?
God: *That’s Right. You never owned anything*.
Man (with tears in his eyes and full of fear took the suitcase from God's hand and asks God): Then? What was mine?
God: *Your choices.*
Every choice you made was yours.
Create each moment by filling it with meaning.
Do G-d's will at every moment.
Choose to act kindly to others in every moment.
Life is the choices of every moment.
(Adapted from and with Gratitude to Minna Blumenthal for sharing this with me)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
August 7, 2018
Feeling Blue, Feel Better
Yet interspersed is what feels like a series of non-ending life challenges.
Yes, of course we wouldn't recognize or appreciate the good, if we didn't have the bad to compare it to.
But just when you think you've gotten through one obstacle and are cruising nicely down Life Lane, then it seems like it's time for the next speed bump.
I know that having faith through thick and thin is a huge part of it.
Also, challenging oneself to be strong and work through the next life dilemma.
Sure, not everything is life and death, thank G-d.
But even daily upsets can be frustrating.
I know inside though that in a weird sense, this is really what life is all about.
It's not paradise we are living in--that comes later when we get our angel wings!
This is a world that challenges, teaches, and grows us.
We are not here just to have a merry 'ol good time day in and day out.
While that may be nice for a while, it would get pretty tiresome and pointless.
Life is like a puzzle--a very big puzzle--and we are here to help solve it and in the process, we have the opportunity to become better souls for it. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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)
June 15, 2018
Making A Real Difference
I thought it was a nice way to motivate people working there.
"What people are saying:
You are making a difference."
Later in the sign, it says:
"The work you do is important."Isn't this really what is critical to people--that what they do is important.
Yes, we need to earn a living and pay our bills.
And sure, we'd like something left over to save for a rainy day.
But our lives are more than materialism.
We are spiritual beings inside.
At the pinnacle, we need to know that our lives mean something!
- That we are touching people's lives.
- That we will be remembered for the good we did.
- That our good deeds and words will live on.
- That our children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren (etc.) will carry the lessons and message forward.
- That we've contributed in some meaningful way to the fight of good over evil in this world and the next.
- That we've shown proper respect and worship to our L-rd/Maker/Sustainer.
When we make a difference, it's about so much more than what money can buy.
It's about our soul, our contribution, and even destiny. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
June 5, 2018
Rich, Famous, and Suicide
What an amazing fashion designer--so much to live for!
Famous for her gorgeous handbags (that used to be the business my dad was in too).
Her net worth was $150,000,000!
Why does someone so beautiful, successful, rich, and famous take their life???
Ultimately, none of these things make happy or meaning in life!
Still, it is incredibly hard to understand seemingly having so much and throwing your life away--unless of course, we consider terrible things like severe depression and other horrible illnesses that can break anyone.
Yet, there seem to be so many of these hugely successful people that take or lose their lives so young and with still so much to give the world:
Alan Turing (41) -- Cyanide
Alexander McQueen (40) - Hanging
Amy Winehouse (27) -- Alcohol
Chris Benoit (40) -- Broken Neck
Christine Chubbuck (29) -- Shooting
Dana Plato (34) - Overdose
Ernest Hemingway (61) -- Shooting
Jerzy Kosinski (57) -- Overdose
Kurt Cobain (27) -- Shooting
L'Wren Scott (49) -- Hanging
Lucy Gordon (28) -- Hanging
Marilyn Monroe (36) -- Overdose
Michael Jackson (50) -- Overdose
Mike Alfonso (42) - Hanging
Prince (57) -- Overdose
Robbin Williams (63) --Hanging
Sawyer Sweeten (19) -- Shooting
Sylvia Plath (30) - Gas Oven
Vincent Van Gogh (37) -- Shooting
Virginia Woolf (59) - Drowning
Whitney Houston (48) -- Drowning
G-d should have mercy and help to take away the pain and suffering from people so that they can live and not die prematurely anymore. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
May 14, 2018
Happy Just The Way We Are
Great speaker today at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Mike Reiss, producer and writer for the hugely successful Simpson show--the longest-running series on primetime TV with 30 seasons and over 600 episodes!
The topic was "The Science Behind The Simpsons."
Whether the guest was Stephen Hawkings or Leonard Nimoy--there was no shortage of scientists and science in this animated, comedy show that taught us much about life.
The video clip above was a short capture of the Simpsons singing "We are happy just the way we are."
Incremental change and continuous improvement is so important to our growth and maturation in life.
Yet, there is also a lot to be said for being happy with what you have and who you are.
There is so much to be grateful for and plenty to enjoy at the moment.
Many people are on the proverbial roller coaster to nowhere.
It's nice to get off the roller coaster and finally be somewhere that makes you happy and fulfilled.
Mary Poppins get hit by the airplane at the end of the skit, and you know what, she's not even missed. ;-)
(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)
April 15, 2018
Purpose Is To Help People
I don't get impressed by others easily.
But one thing that does immediately get my respect and admiration are people who sincerely believe in and are there to help others.
Of course, there are some professions like soldiers and first responders who put their lives on the line to safeguard others that come to mind.
But then there are the people we sometimes meet in everyday real life--people that live for doing good for others.
Yes, not many people are so unselfish and giving, and that is why it is an incredible person who lives this.
One person that I have had the honor to meet recently is such a person.
Months ago, in a stressful situation, I watched them get up and get someone a bottle of water who was choked up and just needed a sip of relief.
Then again, I saw that whenever they were asked a question or for some assistance, they almost immediately dropped whatever they were doing--and without any resentment--to do whatever they can to help, anytime, anyplace.
When I heard them talk recently about their philosophy on what life is all about--they confirmed exactly as I had been seeing, they said:
"I want to help people!"
And they went on to explain how that is the greatest job we can do--whatever our role is--simply, to help others.
Someone doesn't have to be wounded or dying on the battlefield or in urban warfare to merit that help.
Just being another human being with a heart and soul--that itself is enough to jump to their aid and help, help, help.
To me, this person really encapsulates the essence of what life is all about.
It's not I, I, I.
It's about what I can do for others.
We were created by the Almighty to learn to live beyond our meager selves and serve the greater good, our Creator and his children.
All I can say is that these people who live and breath this loving, caring, and giving lifestyle are totally awesome to me and my personal role model and heroes. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
April 2, 2018
The Heart and Soul Of The Matter
But this person was shinning and smiling ear-to-ear.
What happened, he got offered a job to work in a lovely school as their cook.
He's been doing this as a special treat for the students once a year, and they decided to bring him on to do this full time.
He pulled out his phone and proudly showed me a picture of himself in the classroom surrounded by all the children. He was in an orange sweater and stood out in the middle of all of them and with a smile that lit up the entire room.
He told me how the children thought of him as a celebrity chef and the teacher even organized autographs by him for the children.
His whole life, he questioned his worth, and now he felt recognized, appreciated, and loved.
I told him that I thought he was indeed quite a special person.
He said to me, you may have a talent or be special, but you have to recognize it--and he repeated aloud again at least three times emphasizing more and more on RECOGNIZE it.
Surely, after so many years, only now was he being recognized and more so, recognizing it himself.
Apparently, someone who worked in the school was also a renown food critic, and she had nothing but praises to sing of him.
Talking with him, I felt my eyes being opened.
Everyone can do good with their lives and have worth.
We have to recognize it in ourselves.
We need to just be given an opportunity to show it and share it.
It doesn't matter what you are or earn.
It matters where your heart is.
For many, they earn gazillions, but their heart is a heart of stone.
For others, they may earn minimum wage, but their heart is a heart of gold.
It's not the money, it's not the power, it's not the prestige...it's the heart and soul of the matter. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
March 11, 2018
Three Legs of Quality of Life
Quality of life means perspective and balance.
When people go to the extreme and focus all their energies on any one area almost to the exclusivity of the others in their life, it usually means they are going wrong.
Some people are "party animals"--life is all about their fun, enjoyment, experiences (and even excessive partying, sleeping around, getting drunk and high), and their very immediate gratification.
Others are all about work--climbing that professional ladder and earning more money, material goods, and more power is the holy grail and also the bane of their existence.
And yet there are some people that are focused on faith, family, and community--they are mothers and fathers, religious students and
The problems is that people need multiple facets of their lives--yes, they need playfulness, interests, activities, hobbies, and fun and joyous times; at the same time, they need intellectual curiosity, professional contribution and achievement, and the wherewithal to be responsible and pay the bills; and very importantly, they need social, spiritual, and emotional fulfillment from family, friends, giving, and faith.
When a person stands on only one of these legs, like many seem to--they are on
Even on two legs, something is missing in their lives--they are standing tall, but not strong and stable.
On all three legs, a person can be grounded and able to not just stand for themselves, but able to bear weight like on a stool, and they are can play music and sing and smile, knowing that they have a genuine quality of life that few ever really achieve. ;-)
(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!
January 8, 2018
Yearning For Redemption
There is such a yearning for people to do good and to merit the coming of Mashiach (Messiah) towards the ultimate redemption for mankind.
It's on every street corner and light post.
Whether it's eyes gazed on the righteousness of Rabbi Nachman or The Rebbe--as we used to sing as kids in NCSY:
"We want Mashiach now!"
Whether Mashiach is an actual person or a spiritual revelation in the world leading to redemption--it represents an unprecedented enlightenment, holiness and a spiritual healing, and love and peace for mankind.
While we strive to earn our daily bread, it's nice to have a part of us that also seeks a greater good and achieving betterment for the world.
Any small or big things we can do in our lives to contribute to Tikkun Olam ("fixing the world"), it's purposeful, hopeful, and uplifting to try. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 30, 2017
Faith Has To Win Over Worry
Some people have separation anxiety.
Others have social anxiety.
And then there is good 'ol generalized anxiety.
It was fascinating-scary to learn that nearly 1 in 3 will have an anxiety disorder before the age of 18.
Despite all the abundance, affluence, advancement and technological progress, people are nevertheless more fearful about their present and futures.
Perhaps like Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, when people weren't able to satisfy their most basics physiological and safety needs, they didn't know better to worry about everything else like whether they were truly loved, integrated, on the right track in life and fulfilled.
These days, we have more money, time, and information to know that there is plenty to be anxious about.
We know the most horrible stories of trauma, illness, death, corruption, disaster, terror, and war--it's plastered on the news and Internet 24/7/365.
Moreover, our "friends" and connections are blabbing about it on the social networks day-in and -out.
We are aware of our mistakes and foibles in real time as feedback is given and received with both likes as well as open criticism, marginalization, and alienation at every turn we take.
You have to ask yourself--is it meant to help anyone or to degrade and destroy the others, the opposition, the ones we don't like anymore.
It's not just trolls that can make your life miserable, but everyone from your bosses to your peers and social circle who give you pause with continuous reaction and footnote--much of it driven by alternative facts and fake other world self-serving reality.
Perhaps yesterday you were a genius and on top of the world, but then all of a sudden you're low-life garbage.
Your self-worth and future are measured by likes and dislikes, connections and reactions by people who are driven by their own agendas, power, and biases.
It's not just local either.
North Korea and Iran are tweeting about destroying the world and their latest rocket launches and WMD development.
Tomorrow maybe the end of one or of many.
There is truly plenty to worry about in society driven by selfishness, materialism, faithlessness and a moral vacuum where truly anything goes.
Selflessness, meaning, morality, and faith have to win over all the reasons to be anxious.
We know too much about the bad every day, and this can only be overcome by anchoring ourselves in the good. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 22, 2017
It's About The People
Whether it's our families, friends, and colleagues--it's how we treat people and the relationships we form that count--and that enable us to achieve success together!
Many people just count their money instead of counting their blessings of hearts and souls.
But while we certainly need a certain amount of $$$ to live, we really need ❤ to thrive.
Today, before the Thanksgiving holiday, I just took a little time to walk around and talk with people here, thank them for their good work and friendships, and wish them a good holiday.
It was such a little thing, but honestly I felt so good doing it.
I am thankful for so many things this year, including all the wonderful people in my life who do so much to make my life joyous and fulfilling, but I am also grateful to G-d for continuing to open my eyes to what and who(s) that really count.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 2, 2017
If I Could Be Anyone(s)
"If you had $20 million dollars and could do whatever you want (be whoever you want), what would that be?"
I was on the spot a little and didn't have time to introspect the way I like to do, and I gave an answer that I really wasn't happy with...and it's been bothering me since.
So sitting down now and really thinking about who I want to be--this is my real answer:
As a composite person, I want to have the:
- Lovingkindness of Mother Teresa
- Serenity of the Dalai Lama
- Spirituality of Moses
- Determination of Rocky
- Leadership of Rick Grimes
- Strength of Samson
- Agility of Bruce Lee
- Intellect of Sigmund Freud
- Understanding of Albert Einstein
- Ingenuity of Steve Jobs
- Inquisitiveness of Capt. James T. Kirk
- Bravery of those martyred in the Holocaust
- Heroism of Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu
- Beauty of my wife and daughters
- The integrity of my dear father, Fred Blumenthal
What would I want to do--just simple things like:
- Cure Cancer, Parkinsons, ALS, etc.
- Eliminate poverty
- Herald in world peace
- Help/comfort those that are hurt and suffering
- Make people smile/happy
- Be a good person with integrity in all situations
I could probably go on and on, but generally this is what life means to me.
Maybe today, I ain't the smartest or fastest or strongest, but I have dreams, hopes, and aspirations.
If that isn't good enough, well at least I have a heart and a soul. ;-)
(Source Photo: Dannielle Blumenthal)
October 22, 2017
Treating The Homeless With Dignity
They do hands-on advocacy and activism to help the homeless.
From providing them storage lockers, bathrooms, showers, haircuts/shaves, clothing boutique, hygiene products (e.g. tampons etc.), drinking water, legal services, and more.
While others looks away, they jump in to actually do something real.
They actually bring mobile showers to them!
The video show on the left, one person living a regular life with a home, job, and everything they need, and on the right, another person down on their luck, homeless and needy.
Both are G-d's creatures--one just needs a fresh start!
At the end of the video, it says:
Don't Look Away.I hope you are truly moved in the same way that I am by this organization and their beautiful mission and meaningful outreach activities. ;-)
Think Love.
Think Hope.
Think Strength.
Think Worth.
Think Dignity.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
October 18, 2017
Character Building Day
A friend told me that when they have a really tough day, they call it:
"A Character Building Day!"
I thought that was pretty astute.
When people are up against the wall...
And they feel like they practically have their hands and legs tied...
And the world is spinning around them out of control...
And others are throwing tomatoes, darts, arrows, and all types of other sh*t their way...
- We can either just close our eyes, feel powerless, get upset and depressed, and basically give up
OR
- We can see the tough times as challenges--however great--to build our character.
Every situation is a learning and growth opportunity.
Don't give in--Get up and fight.
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!
Yes, many days are character building days--it doesn't always feel good--often it feels horrible--but we can approach it with the right attitude and help shape our character and soul for the better. ;-)
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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