Finding Reality in a Floating Pink Abstract World

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, “Finding Reality in a Floating Pink Abstract World.”

But when we return home to our Maker then we’ll see beyond time and space what we could never see while we were enveloped in a physical body and a material world. For the spirit survives the life as our L-rd spans infinity and one day too we will rejoin with Him and discover what our eyes could never see and our ears did never hear.

For our heart was hardened of flesh while our soul was molten and deep until eventually we awake from our slumber and find what we always did seek.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Short Man Tall Man, What Do You Say

This was a comical picture.

Almost like from Dr. Seuss.

Short man and tall man.

Actually a whole step taller.

Guy on the left, little stubby legs.

One on the right, long long legs.

When you’re on a ladder, I guess it doesn’t matter.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Merry-Go-Round and Round

Merry-go-round and round. 

Bobbing up and down, up and down.

Faster and faster and slower and slower.

Animal figures, colorful props, mirrors that reflect it all up.

Children smiling, children happy, what can be more satisfactory. 😉

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

I Pray For The Day

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, “I Pray For The Day.”

While I am a staunch supporter for the security of Israel, I pray for the day (a miracle) when Jews and Arabs can be brothers again–shoulder to shoulder–that embrace and help each other, rather than enemies “at each others’ throats.”

In my mind and heart, there has got to come a time when the hatred and violence ends, and when instead peace can and will prevail. 😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Smell The Flowers

Beautiful flowers. 

G-d made them for us. 

Soft petals. 

Magnificent colors.

Fresh sweet smells. 

The sound of rustling in the wind. 

Absorbing the rays of sunshine.

Drinking the rain water. 

Planted in the soil of the earth. 

Magical flowers of life, love, and peace. 

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Why We Chase Love

Being a heart alone in this world is very lonely, indeed. 

Chasing another heart, so that we can pair together makes two less lonely hearts.

Two hearts that beat as one making beautiful music together. 

When the hearts are in harmony, we sway and are uplifted flying away into the heavens.  

And when the music is discordant, we are forced to retune and to grow wings that we never even knew we had. 

Hearts that complement each other, help us face the questions we often fear to ask ourselves. 

When these hearts meet, they touch so gently, and like silk they dance a perfect dance.  

What is meaningless alone is all of a sudden meaningful with another. 

What is too painful to bear by oneself is manageable when shared between two. 

And what is joyful is magnified in sweetness when there is someone else to enjoy it with. 

One heart chases another until they embrace that long blissful embrace. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

The Beauty of Words

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, “The Beauty of Words.”

Before Amos Oz could read the words themselves (by sounding our the letters), he learned to read by shapes!  Amazingly, he saw the words in a whole new way. The “S” in “Snake” looks like a snake. Similarly the “F” in “Flag” looks like a flag on a pole. Again, an “eye” looks like a pair of eyes with the bridge of a nose between them. 

“Language arts” really is an art that is poetic in sound, meaningful in thought, and even beautiful to look at–no different than a work of art by Picasso or Mozart. 😉

(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

1-2-3-4 Open Up The Government’s Doors

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

     5-6-7-8 Let our nation operate

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

     5-6-7-8 Fix our broken directorate

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s Doors

    5-6-7-8 Better for us to negotiate

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Get things done for Goodness sake

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 We have no more time to cogitate

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Get the employees back to progress the state

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Blaming each other only exasperate

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Democracy means we must work it out

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Polarized politics destroys our clout

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

   

    5-6-7-8 The people are sick and tired of this useless way

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Terms limits are needed to sway

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Dysfunctional government can’t continue unabate

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

   5-6-7-8 We’re sick and tired of ignoring realpolitik

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

   5-6-7-8 Grow up and show some unifying leadership

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Finally put people’s needs first

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Stop playing with our country’s fate

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 National security and our economy depend on it

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 It’s time to get things done and not wait

1-2-3-4 Open up the government’s doors

    5-6-7-8 Serve the people and cut out the hate

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

A Future Beyond Fear

This is my spin on a Jack Canfield saying, but I like it this way:

“The future is on the other side of fear.”

Sometimes we feel hemmed in or torn down by life.

And there is plenty of fear of failure and not being able to do what we need to do. 

But the only way to get there is to get past the fear!

You need to look straight ahead into the future of what you want. 

And you need to overcome your worst fear…that you’re not good enough, you’re not smart enough, you’re not strong enough, and you’re not beautiful enough.

…and the gnawing feeling inside that you can’t do it.

This is precisely when you need to center yourself, strengthen yourself, and pray for G-d’s help.

Whether to get over it, under it, or through it. 

The future–your future–is on the other side of that fear–that fear that is holding you back.

No, you’re not stupid, ugly, weak, or unworthy.

Yes, you’re a child of the G-d on the most high. 

So you can reach deep and reach high to accomplish your mission in life. 

You can truly leap over mountains and even reach for the stars. 

No, it’s not beyond you.

It’s right in front of you.

Take that deep breath, clench your fist, gird you sword, and ready yourself in every way.

The fear holding you back is yours to conquer. 

And the future is yours to be had. 😉

(Inspired by my wife, Dannielle Blumenthal)

(Source Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)

From My Cats To Yours

Diversity is a very beautiful thing.

Whether you’re an orange, red, or green cat.

It doesn’t matter–you are a cat!

All cats gotta get along. 

Might does not make a right in any catfight.

But brotherhood of cats does us all good. 

Does every cat need to stand up for it’s daily food?

Sure, but there is more than enough catfood and nip to go around. 

I like to be in a great cat sea purring and frolicking all day long.

Live and let live–and love–all cats and dogs and people and others!

And from the great Martin Luther King Jr. 

“We must learn to live together as brothers 

or 

perish together as fools.”

Shabbat shalom and happy Labor Day holiday weekend!

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)