So today an 80-year-old Algerian man sat our table for the Kiddush lunch after synagogue services.
And he talked quite a bit about his life philosophy and told me I was a good listener. 🙂
1) TRUE LOVE IS LIKE AN ORANGE:
A man and women that are meant to be together are like two sides of an orange. With his hands, he showed us putting the two sides together, twisting, and he goes, “You see it just clicks!”
2) WHEN LOVE IS NOT TRUE ITS LIKE TWO BIRDS IN A CAGE:
When a man and woman are not soulmates, maybe they just are meant to be together for a time to have children or make a home temporarily. But then, the birds need to leave the cage, and be free!
3) BURIED TOGETHER:
“When people are soulmates, they are buried together, next to each other. Otherwise, one is buried in Greece and the other in Hawaii, and it makes no difference because they are going their own ways in Heaven.”
4) 80 HERE AND 20 HERE
He pointed to his belly and said, “I’m 80 here.” And then pointed to his groin area, and said, “But I’m 20 here!”
5) WOMEN ONLY UNDER 40:
While he is 80, he claims to be robust in the bedroom, and “will never be with a woman over 40…not a day over!” He said, “It’s like an old Cadillac!” Moreover, he said, if a woman is “not perfect” and has a scar like from having her appendix out, “forget it!”
6) WRITING, PLAYING GUITAR, AND DANCING:
He said, “I like to write, play guitar and dance.” And with his arms, he makes some swoops like he is on the dance floor having a good time.
7) PEOPLE ARE LIKE CANDLES:
People are like candles. The body is like the wax that burns down, but the soul is the flame that always rises up. In the end, the soul ascends to heaven just like the flame.
8) INFINITELY STUPID:
He pointed to the yarmulke on top of his head and said: “You know what that means? This means that there is no limit to how stupid some people can be!”
8) YOU MAKE YOUR OWN LUCK:
I asked what he did for a living, and he said “Real estate, Jewelry, and even fashion salons.” I said, “Wow, you’re very fortunate!” He said, “No, in life, you make your own luck!”
10) RESPECT ME IF YOU WANT:
“You respect me, and I respect you. But frankly, I don’t care if you respect me or not. You can do what you want, and so will I!” I said, “Ok, see you next week and we’ll talk again.” He said, “Maybe I will or maybe I won’t talk to you ever again.”
Like his philosophy or not, I never saw an 80-year-old with so much energy, life, and personality. Honestly, there are a lot of people half his age, who act more dead than alive. It was incredible to see this ageless person and hear what that’s like. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal
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