Let It Be So

To all those who inspired me; to all those whose patience I have tried; to all those whom I have wronged; to those I have neglected; to all those who have lost faith in me; to all those whom I have faith in; to all those individuals who have come and gone in my life -- who have taught me so much - have touched me so deeply; have pushed me hard to look "within"; challenged me, encouraged me and taught me it's okay to cry, it's okay to show weakness, it's okay to look stupid, it's okay to make mistakes, it's okay JUST TO BE ME. I ask your forgiveness and offer a humble thank you. To those people who have that special twinkle in their eyes and a zest for life; to those who have hit rock bottom and are now at the lowest point in their lives--my prayers are with you; to the addicts and the afflicted I wish for you the true realization of your problem(s), and the courage and strength to address them. And to my wonderful partner and husband who has stuck by me all these years (boy, what a job he's had); to my grandchildren who have brought so much joy into my life; to my sons who still have a long way to go along with the author of this post; and to a Rabbi who profoundly changed my life, again a humble thank you. And to all of my fellow human beings who inhabit this beautiful Planet, I wish You All Peace. Peace in Your Homes, Peace in your Countries, Peace in Your Hearts, and Peace in Your Souls. And maybe, G-d willing, very soon, World Peace. Not just words, but a reality. Let it begin now with each one of us so that soon there will be true everlasting Peace in Our World. Happy New Year 2011.

All Paths Lead to Home...

Tranquility

Grace

Waiting for Spring

The Intelligent Forecaster

http://expectedreturnsblog.com/the-intelligent-forecaster/#

Let the Ego Go

Rabbi M. M. Schneerson, "Spiritual Leader of World Jewry"
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"Let the Ego Go" by soule:
If we're ever to accomplish anything worthy during our lifetime, it's time to recognize that we need to let go of the Ego. Ego is a powerful force. It drives us, compels us, can blind us and bind us and consume us if we let it. Eventually, if left unchecked, destroy us. There is nothing wrong with seeking to make one's life better, to reach for the stars, to set lofty goals. This is America and this is called freedom to make our own decisions (free will). But when Ego gets so powerful and so all-consuming that it is now Master of one's soul, having triumphed in trumping the individual, when Ego is only concerned with ITS own self-interests, this is where we can run headlong into problems. Ego in this country is on a mission. I believe it is destroying our religious beliefs, our families, relationships and this country's infrastructure. Marriage vows, honesty, compassion and Truth have been thrown under the bus. Congress is a good example of one gigantic Ego Trip. But let's not forget ordinary, hard-working men and women who are so consumed by their haste to get ahead, workaholics continuing to put their job first and family/relationships second. Many times these people wind up with failed marriages, mental anguish, having affairs, turning to alcohol and drugs. The structure that once held everything together, marriage and the family unit is now immeasurably harmed or permanently destroyed. This slow "eating away" at the underbelly of this country can take place over a period of years or can happen much more quickly, leaving us to wonder "what has happened???" America has replaced virtue with success. We are now a success-desperate society that has lost its way. Our frantic longing for "success" is killing us. When are we going to wake up, look around and realize that we brought children into this world? That when we stood at the altar, we made a vow "to love and cherish till death do us part". When we looked each other in the eyes we repeated these words..."Together, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health". It seems we've gotten this twisted around. The Death part seems to be coming at us first. Shouldn't we be taking a hard look at returning to G-d's principles...the Ten Commandments, The Noahide Laws, which I believe apply to all of us. It's a roadmap for success all laid out for us but no one is paying attention. We've made some gains on putting this country back on the road to fiscal sanity, albeit very tiny, but it's a start. But now our biggest commitment should be getting our own, personal, priorities straight...taking time for G-d, family and relationships. And thanking Him for His many blessings. Finding comfort in the simplest of things that He has provided for us. Everything else can take a back seat.