There are two things to know.
None of us is perfect.
We each have strengths and weaknesses.
No one has all the answers–despite some big egos out there!
That’s why we all need each other.
Knowledge is great, but networking magnifies your potential many times over.
These are two things you definitely want to know. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
What a cool barber shop in downtown Miami called, The Spot Barbershop.
When you are lying back in the chair, look what you see on the ceiling:
G-d Is Good.
The other day we went out to eat with some folks.
And the question came up whether you think most people are good or bad.
Interestingly, most of the people at the table thought either they are predominantly good or at least that they have the potential for good.
Really, it is G-d that is the ultimate good.
And to the extent that we are created in His image and have the opportunity to choose good from evil, then we too can be good.
G-d is inherently good, but man is a toss up based on which direction he goes. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
I saw this quote hanging on the wall.
It’s by science fiction writer, Robert Anson Heinlein.
“A human being should be able to:
- Change a diaper
- Plan an invasion
- Butcher a hog
- Conn [control] a ship
- Design a building
- Write a sonnet
- Balance account
- Build a wall
- Set a bone
- Comfort the dying
- Take orders
- Give orders
- Cooperate
- Act alone
- Solve equations
- Analyze a new problem
- Pitch manure
- Program a computer
- Cook a tasty meal
- Fight efficiently
- Die Gallantly
Specialization is for insects.”
It’s sort of fascinating all the things that are expected of people to be able to do.
And this is a short list–I’m sure you can think of many, many more things that people have to be able to do to survive, to live, to thrive.
What complex and magnificent creations of G-d we are!
Not only in terms of our physiology, but also in terms of our cognitive, emotional, social, and spiritual capacities and desires.
We are flesh and blood, but with a breath of life from the living G-d, and we are capable and can do so much.
At the same time, we are imperfect, limited, fallible, and mortal.
– Jack of all trades, and master of none.
Expect the best, but plan for plenty of mistakes and disasters along the way.
Live well, and return to the creator a better person. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
As the fortune cookie I came across yesterday says:
“Leadership is action, not position.”
And actions demonstrate a good or evil heart.
When everyone hates a leader is that a “leader?”
– Fear is not leadership.
– Bullying is not leadership.
– Corruption is not leadership.
Leadership is:
– Showing others what is right and being a good influence.
– Rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work alongside everyone else.
– Helping others to achieve their potential.
– When others see you as a leader based on your integrity of purpose and actions.
How we treat others is as true a test of leadership as of where we want to go and how we want to get there.
G-d sees everything man (leader or not) does, and only He in Heaven is the Leader of Leaders and the King of Kings. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Just wanted to share some of the beautiful architecture from Israel.
Side by side…
The old and the new.
The proud and the natural.
The strong and the spiritual.
Obviously, I’ve only had a chance to see a very little bit.
But everywhere just seems marvelous.
So much achieved, and still such great potential.
A people who survived the genocidal Holocaust and faced down the devil himself, with G-d’s help have rebuilt their ancient homeland.
Miracles everywhere, I can attest to it with my own eyes and soul. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So I am incredibly impressed at how talented so many people are.
And I’ll tell you, people are motivated to get ahead and they are working hard to do it.
I took Lyft to a couple of destinations down here in Florida.
Two drivers that I had just yesterday were both from relatively poor backgrounds in Jamaica.
And both were incredible in what they’ve been able to accomplish for themselves.
One was a senior communications technologist with a large cable company.
Another was a pretty impressive and successful Reggae music star.
Both had come to this country and made amazing lives for themselves.
In meeting these incredible people, I learned that everyone is driving Uber and Lyft now-a-days. 🙂
Both were driving as they told me just to keep busy on their days off–because they “hate being bored!”
More importantly, I learned that despite whatever background, hardships, or adversity you come from or have experienced, you can make it in your own way!
Motivation and hard work coupled with mercy and blessings from, and faith in the Almighty Above are an incredible combination that can propel people towards incredible levels of success in life that maybe many would’ve never even really dreamed of.
There is no easy road–just one filled with trying your best, plenty of obstacles, stumbles, and falls, and then picking yourself up and trying again and again until hopefully and with G-d’s help you break the bonds and chains keeping you from your amazing levels of potential and contribution to this world. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So what’s with the invasion of dinosaurs.
First one is standing next to the checkout line in Whole Foods in Maryland.
Second one is actually on someone’s terrace overlooking the beach in Fort Lauderdale.
Third one is the real McCoy from the Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Certainly, dinosaurs aren’t cute and cuddly–even the plush ones from Whole Foods–they’d eat you and I for dinner if they could!
So why do we gravitate to relics from the Ice Age past?
Perhaps, just like looking forward to Aliens from outer space, the dinosaurs represent an important historical link for us, and thus anchor us in a much larger perspective of time and space.
In a way, it all points to the dichotomy between us as humans with great–almost endless–potential, and yet at the same time, how small we are relative to the enormous dinosaurs that roamed the earth of yesteryear as well as the distinct possibility of mighty extraterrestrials that we may someday (soon) encounter from outer space.
From this context, I guess what’s really amazing is that we, as a people, are still here!
Despite our bad habits and unsustainable living, we continue to innovate our way out of own messes of greed, conflict, contagion, pollution, and resource depletion, and create a future far beyond what destroyed our predecessors or even what may come from current or potential future foes.
Like the economy, we think we can grow ourselves out of all our troubles–and who knows, maybe we can if we can continue to stay at least one or two steps ahead of all the challenges and threats–but, at the back (or front) of our minds is what if we can’t or don’t? 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So is man an angel or a beast?
On one hand, we see small and great acts of love, kindness and generosity.
People feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, donating clothes to the poverty-stricken, and standing up to defend those that are abused, discriminated against, and victimized.
Every day is an opportunity to be a gracious, heavenly angel!
At the same time, we are witness to horrible acts of hate, cruelty and inhumanity.
The strong preying off and committing gross acts of violence against the weak, the rich elitists taking from the poor lower-class, the powerful violating the human rights of the masses and ruling with a brutal iron fist.
Every day is the possibility to act the vicious, lowly beast!
It’s a choice as we stand here teetering on the world we are injected into.
The angel and the beast fight within us.
Our souls yearn to emulate the spirit of our Holy Creator, while our bodies look for raw physical and material satisfaction.
It is truly a battle that rages within us, and can tear any or all of us apart.
Yet, our mission is for good to overcome evil–in everyday small and large ways.
To fight the urges that torment us and to rise, rise, with the wings of an angel to reach our potential and fulfill our destiny. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
So walking down the street here yesterday, I ran into a sign and was handed a postcard, declaring:
“Sin Awareness Day”
Then I was confronted by a gentleman (or not so gentle) who proceeded to explain to me that I–and everyone else–are sinners!
Innocently, I ask, “Well, what have I done?”
The missionary answers with a stern face, “I’m sure you have lied!”
I said, “I don’t think so,” but then to play alone, I smirked and said, “Well what if I did?”
He answers and says, “You’ll need to repent!”
Thinking that Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) is right around the corner in a couple of weeks, I thought to myself, hey that’s right in line with where I’m going anyway…
The guy continues–of course–to try to enlist me to his “savior” that he believes can save us from all our sins.
I challenged and said, “Well, how about Moses?”
He roars back, “Moses?!!!” and starts railing on about “convert, convert, convert.”
Uh no, thank you, I am fine with the faith of my father, and grandfathers, and great grandfathers, etc.
And I appreciate if we can avoid the forcible conversion parts of yesteryear from various empires, caliphates, crusades, and inquisitions, with no shortage of associated torture, executions, and expulsions.
Then breaking this historical context and glancing at the back of the postcard that he handed out, I did like this one thing that it said:
“Sin is not primarily a measure of how bad you are, but a measure of how good you are not.”
Heck, why be negative about ourselves (we are not inherently bad); instead see that we not living up to our potential and try, always, to do better.
In that I am definitely a believer! 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Remember the funny comedy show, Married with Children.
The theme song is playing in my head, “Love and marriage, love and marriage, go together like a horse and carriage.”
Love and marriage–it’s something we all aspire to.
Like in Noah’s ark, we all want to couple off and be with that special person that complements us, can finish our sentences, helps us grow and develop and reach our potential, and of course raise a family!
This last couple of days for me the overarching theme has been the importance of a good marriage.
First I saw this funny sign that said, “Get married once, and do it right.”
Well, okay…
Then the wonderful Rabbi Kaplan of Chabad, here in Downtown Fort Lauderdale, spoke to us about the great joy and “naches” (pride and gratification) of marriage and family.
And once again, when my wife asked this classy lady she met in Florida, how she stayed so thin, the lady responded, “It’s the divorce diet.”
Ah, eat your heart out baby…that’s not the best way to lose weight now, is it?
Anyway, it’s a true blessing to find that great match, and when there is an overall healthy relationship built on respect, trust, good communication, and of course being best friends.
I wish I had that (just kidding…). :-))
Perhaps a nice New Years wish is for everyone to find their soulmate and live happily ever after. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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