December 20, 2021
December 18, 2021
The Surprising Secret To Becoming Your Best
Even while we are each different and should become our best selves, we still all need to make sure we are driving towards good healthy goals.There is no one-size-fits-all mold for us. Hashem has a destiny in mind for each of us, and we need to find out what that is and work to become it. As parents, we need to see our children for who they are and not who we may want them to be. Truly, it’s a blessing to be able to be ourselves! As long as we and they are doing good in the world and by our Creator, we are each and everyone on solid Jewish ground.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
$$$Yachting Mean Some Big Dough$$$
Big yachts usually mean big mansions too, and that is certainly true here in Florida.
Often it means multiple mansions across states or even in different countries.
In one case, we saw two mansions demolished to build an even bigger single mansion in their place.
All the while others are going homeless and are having difficulty making ends meet.
The last boat isn't a yacht per se, but I like the ocean blue color!
December 17, 2021
December 16, 2021
Shake It Up
December 15, 2021
When Branding is the Bomb
Does that make you the bomb?
I guess it could mean that you're exploding with energy, creativity, quality, coolness, market share, revenue, profits, or more.
Maybe it's a warning to your competitors to stay clear or they will suffer the explosive consequences.
Another reading is that your company is in trouble and is about explode, fragment, and leave a trail of dead bodies in its wake.
If you love your brand, instead of a T-shirt with their logo next time, maybe you'll consider splurging for their very own branded grenade.
You can display it, throw it, or sit on it and hope for the best the brand has to offer. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 14, 2021
Beautiful Fresh Fruit Cups
December 13, 2021
Short of Closet Space
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)
December 10, 2021
December 8, 2021
December 7, 2021
Panther Cat Car
December 6, 2021
Dreaming An Angel
In the dream, I saw a celestial being come to me.
And it was clearly my mom.
She didn't exactly have a physical body, but more like an angel and the manifestation of the spirit I recognized immediately as my mother.
I experienced an unbelievable and overwhelming feeling of missing my mom.
Like the feeling of the last years that I had been holding back suddenly burst forth.
I started crying hysterically how I had missed her and that I was sorry for any way that I may have failed her (and my dad).
She stood completely straight and beautiful like an angel, truly.
And I could feel her love for me and she told me in a soft and genuine voice that "It is okay."
This was not like a regular dream, but completely real in a metaphysical sense, and I not only saw, but also remembered every detail vividly.
Afterwards, I felt immobilized for about 20 minutes; just feeling all the feeling and still seeing it all in my mind's eye.
I was shaken from such a life-changing "dream" and still can't really get over it.
It was wonderful to see my mom and know that she is okay and at peace, and everything is okay.
Thank you G-d for letting me experience this and to connect with my mom once again.
May it be for a blessing for us. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Janbaby at Pixabay)
December 5, 2021
Israel: A Uniquely Jewish Miracle
What a difference 73 years of the State of Israel makes! While the anti-Semites and anti-Zionists out there like to call us occupiers, colonizers, and an Apartheid state, it couldn’t be any further from the truth. The Jews are indigenous to Israel for four thousand years, and it is the Promised Land by G-d to our forefathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moreover, Israel is a free and democratic nation driven to equality and progress, and with outstanding opportunity for all that are able to live peacefully together.From a historical perspective, it is absolutely clear that after the Jewish people had been forcibly expelled by the Romans in the year 134, Israel fell into a state of wasteland and utter desolation...Contrast what Mark Twain and the others saw for hundreds of years in terms of the ruin, decline, and depopulation of the so-called “Palestine” (as named by the Romans “Syria Palaestina” to delegitimize the Jews from their promised homeland) with what Israel is today, and it is nothing short of a truly miraculous transformation back to its essence as the Garden of Eden.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
December 4, 2021
Appetizing Falafel Platter
December 3, 2021
Absolutely Mind Blowing Humanoid Robot
December 1, 2021
Sleeping or Dead?
November 30, 2021
Threaded Blue Chair
November 29, 2021
November 28, 2021
The Plan Amidst The Pain
In life, not only do we have to be determined and work hard, but G-d throws us curveballs and challenges all along the way that can often make us drop to our knees or throw our arms up in despair. However, we need to be faithful like Jacob and Joseph, knowing that it’s all a part of G-d’s plan and mission for us, and through these we learn and grow and become better versions of ourselves.Moreover, if we but open our eyes to the miracle of our creation and our sustainment every moment of every day by Hashem, and remember that He put us all here for a purpose, then we can pay the daily price for what G-d puts in front of us and how we choose to handle it.We can do this knowing that it’s all really just a small price to pay in the end for so much that we gain in this world and that we will carry forward to the hereafter. In the end, nothing is free, but the price and the reason is always just what G-d wants it to be.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 26, 2021
Beautiful Flowers
November 25, 2021
Thanksgiving Beach
November 24, 2021
Loads of Skittles
November 23, 2021
Strong and Knowledgeable
Then you also know what you can't do.
While our dreams and imagination can be "the sky's the limit,"
The reality is we are human and we have to learn, grow, and make progress incrementally.
Still it's a fight every day to get stronger as people and as souls. ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 22, 2021
Losing Your Head At Golf
November 21, 2021
Sad Sad Umbrella
November 20, 2021
When Hypocrisy Leads To Abuse
As many of you, I have been following the news about sexual abuse allegations against Rabbi Chaim Walder and have been horrified and disgusted that this renowned ultra-orthodox Children’s book author and therapist is now accused of abusing the same. Like community Rabbis (e.g. Rabbi Barry Freundel) or Jewish educators (e.g. Stanley Rosenfeld), this phenomenon of using a privileged position to take advantage of women and children is certainly, by this time, not new and remains a stain on the Jewish community, no different than that of the Catholic Church or the Boy Scouts for the abuse by its priest and leaders on those that trusted them and the religious values and ideals they represent.
Truly, these horrible acts of hurting, abusing, and scarring for life women and children (including boys) are regrettably all around us, whether with domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, and human trafficking. But fortunately now they are at least “out of the closet” where rather than have the community deny the possibility that such evil exists or even circle the wagons to wholly protect the perpetrators (before fully investigating the facts), we now have greater recognition and are working towards accountability of these wrongs, and hopefully, far greater protection for people in the future.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 19, 2021
Ready To Drag Race
November 18, 2021
Way To Go Girl Power
November 17, 2021
Gorgeous Fall Leaves
November 16, 2021
Dog Likes Starbucks
November 14, 2021
Purple Polka Dot Balloon
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.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
November 12, 2021
Service With A Smile
November 11, 2021
Been There Done That
November 10, 2021
The Amazing Turtle
November 9, 2021
Colorful Drinking
November 8, 2021
November 6, 2021
Jewish Unity Is Strength
It didn’t matter what race or nationality the person who had been hit by the car was, she was a human being in pain and who needed the help of others. We Jews need to remember that this is life in a nutshell. Life can change in split instance for better or G-d forbid, for worse. We need one another. No man is an island. We can’t afford to play holier than thou with anyone else. Only G-d can judge who is really “religious” and who is wanting.
It brought to my mind the irony that with the Jewish people, we are a small minority in the world, and yet we often disagree, fight, and can be intolerant and neglectful of one another despite facing anti-Semitism and other crises. This is far from the ideal of demonstrating love and acceptance, unifying ourselves together, and becoming as strong and effective as a “light unto nations” that we could and should be.
We can have our personal and communal ideals and standards, but at the same time have empathy for the journey that people are on. Therefore, we should strive to treat each other with kindness and tolerance and put aside the lofty and phony airs of personal judgement and exclusivity. Because in the end, no one knows who is laying next on the street waiting for that ambulance to come.
(Credit Painting: Dannielle Blumenthal)
November 4, 2021
Hatchet Halloweenie
November 3, 2021
Bath Time Ducks
November 2, 2021
Delicious Knafeh
November 1, 2021
Sleep Apnea and Respiratory Disorders
You can get full face, nasal mask (2 versions), or nasal "pillows".
How does one choose? I guess your doctor knows.
Looks challenging to try and sleep with these, but I guess you may have to do what you have to do.
At least, there are therapeutic options these days, and hopefully many more in the future for all the illnesses out there! ;-)
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
(Note: Not intended as medical advice in any way!)
October 31, 2021
What’s Your Kindness
When we are happy, we are able to graciously and generously give to others, and when we give to others, we are able to be happy! All the other pursuits in life such as wealth, ego, good looks, and so on are nothing but vanities (like King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes), and in the end lead to nothing but loss and suffering. However, giving and the happiness and positive spiritual energy it creates endures.
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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