The Most Precious and Beautiful Song

Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.

Sing from the Earth.

Sing throughout all the Heavens.

Sing from the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars.

Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.

Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.

Sing from the People.

Sing throughout all the Angelic Host.

Sing from the Animals, the Fish, and the Fowl.

Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.

Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.

Sing from the Begining of Time.

Sing throughout the End of Time.

Sing in the Morning, the Noon, and the Night.

Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.

Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.

Sing from the Mountains.

Sing throughout the rolling Valleys.

Sing in the Forests, the Cities, and the Seas.

Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.

Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.

Sing from every Tree.

Sing throughout the sprawling blades of grass.

Sing from every drop of dew, pouring of rain, and howling of wind.

Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.

Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.

Sing from each Word.

Sing throughout all your Deeds.

Sing in the Thinking, the Doing, and the Speaking.

Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.

Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.

Sing from every beating Heartbeat.

Sing throughout all your Breaths.

Sing in your Comings, your Goings, and Wherever you are.

Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.

Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.

Sing with your Material wealth.

Sing throughout all your Spiritual awakenings.

Sing during your Journey, at your Milestones, and when you arrive at your Destination.

Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.

Sing the most precious and beautiful song to the King of Kings.

Sing from your successes.

Sing throughout all your failures.

Sing during your tryings, your learnings, and your growing.

Sing with all your heart and soul to the Almighty G-d.

(Note 1: Incredibly, this is my first song and it came to me early on the Shabbat where we read the portion of the Torah when G-d miraculously led the Israelites through the split sea and they sang the “Shirah” (song) of thanksgiving to G-d for saving and redeeming them from slavery to freedom, and I didn’t even know it was this Shabbat!)

(Note 2: I would love if someone can put this to music and make this into an amazing song to G-d.)

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

If I Could Get Back Time

My good friend, Jacob Elbaz, taught me this awesome saying in synagogue today:

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“Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is mystery.

Today is a present. “

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Another way that my dad taught me is this:

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Today is the tomorrow that you worried about yesterday. 

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Hope you enjoy these!

(Source Photo: Andy and Dossy Blumenthal)

Mortality Unlimited

So this week, there seems to be a theme of human frailty and mortality and I wanted to share it. 

While it is the holidays and we are celebrating and happy to be with our family and loved ones, it is also a time to miss those that are gone, care and pray for those that are not well, and give thanks for our own blessings.

5 examples in one week (and trust me, I am holding back):

1) Death of family member – One wonderful lady in the office who recently lost her mother (her mom was in her very early 60s and just didn’t wake up one morning) came to the holiday party, but looked sad. I asked about her well-being, and she said she is doing well, but is still remembering and dealing with the recent loss of her mom who she was so close with. We talked briefly how it takes time to mourn and heal, and frankly, we never really get over it. 

2) Death of friend – A women I know just lost a very good friend (early 40s) to Kidney failure. She is on vacation, but is sad mourning over the loss, and also recognizing her own mortality and that anything can happen at anytime. 

3) Very ill teenager – A teenager was at a recent Shabbat event with her peers celebrating G-d and her Jewishness, and at the event revealed that she has a brain disease and the doctors told her she only has a few months to live. She said that unfortunately she will never get to see her wedding day. It was heartbreaking. 

4) Sick children – A colleague at work took a few hours off to deliver holiday gifts to the local children’s hospital. She helped start an organization to raise money and support children with cancer and other devastating illnesses. It was a very beautiful thing to give back to the innocent kids. 

5) Aging gracefully – A friend who recently hit the big 6-0 was a little depressed. When I asked him how he’s dealing with it, he acknowledged that it’s hard, but that he had all year to prepare (smile). But at the same time, he said that he can’t help looking back on his life as well as thinking forward to what comes next. He’s had his share of illness, but medical science (with G-d’s help) saved his life so far. We talked about not knowing what happens but that he could have another 30 “good years” or that sometimes having a quick, peaceful end can be okay too–since quality of life matters as much or more than quantity. 

The point from all this is not to be sad, but to realize we are but “flesh and blood” and we are alive only because G-d sustains us. 

What we can do is take care of ourselves and our loved ones and make the most of each and every day. We are not guaranteed any number of years or anything else, so each moment is as precious and needs to be lived as if it could be the last. 

Savor your blessings, because that is what they are–as my mother-in-law says, you are entitled to and the world owes you nothing.  😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Happy 25th Anniversary!

Tomorrow night is the first night of Chanukah. 

That is when 25-years ago, I first met and went out with my lovely wife, Dossy. 

I picked her up at work in mid-town, and wined and dined her at Ratner’s on the Lower East Side in NYC.

We talked, laughed, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her!

We ended the evening with her writing her phone number in lipstick on a little piece of paper, and she told me to call her again. 

I came home in 7th heaven, and my dad asked me how it went, and smiling ear-to-ear, I said “This is the one!”

My dad said, “It’s the first night of Chanukah, the holiday of miracles, so please G-d!”

I think Dossy and I went out 2 more times just that week, and the rest is beautiful history.

Thank you Hashem for mercifully granting my lovely wife and two beautiful daughters, Minna and Rebecca. 

I appreciate every moment of every day with Dossy and my girls–for the precious time on Earth we have together, for caring when the chips are down, for celebrating the good times, and for putting up with me. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Time, Our Most Precious Asset

Albert Einstein taught us how this world is governed by space and time. 

Before we are born and once we are gone, space and time no longer apply–we are in G-d’s realm.

Time is so important and precious, that even space is constrained by time–i.e. we cannot be in two places at the same time.

When it comes to time, we can never have enough and this pervades every aspect of our lives.

Here is a short list of how we are bound by time:

What Time Is It?

What Time Are We…?

Do You Have Time?

Can You Spare Some Time?

Who’s Got Time?

How Many Times?

How Much Time?

Do You Remember The Time That…?

Where Has The Time Gone?

Time Is Precious

This Time is Different

Only Time Will Tell

If Only There Was Time

Wish I Had More Time

Time is Too Short

It is Time

Time is Ticking

Time Flies

One Step At a Time

Maximize The Time You Have

Stop Wasting Time

Decision Time

Time To Change

Timeless

Timeline

Time Bound

Time Heals

Time is Money

In No Time

From The Beginning of Time

Once Upon A Time

There Was A Time

Now’s Not The Time

A Long Time Ago

Time To Getaway

Awesome Time

Great Time

Good Times

Bad Times

Marvelous Time

Excellent Time

Meaningful Time

Hopeful Time

Horrible Time

Depressed Times

Manic Times

Next Time

Time of My Life

Makeup Time

Time Out

It’s About Time

The First Time

This is The Last Time

There Is No Time Like The Present

Between The Time

About That Time

Same Time

Different Time

Parallel Time

Past Time

Make Time

Use Time

Spend Time

Save Time

Best Use of Your Time

Take Your Time

Short of Time

Losing Time

Taking Time

Stealing Time

Don’t Have Time

Some Time

No Time

Anytime

All of the Time

Every Time

Numerous Times

Exact Time

All The Time

At The Same Time

For The Time Being

Keep Time

Out of Time

Long Time

Short Time

Right Time

Wrong Time

Before It’s Time

Now is The Time

Past Time

Present Time

Future Time

Spacetime ContinuumTime Travel

(Not) Enough Time

Most of The Time

It’s The Only Time

Need More Time

Time is of The Essence

Tell Time

Local Time

World Time

Time Zones

Timetable

Timekeeper

Timekeeping

Time and Attendance

Overtime

Comp Time

Part Time

Full Time

Old Times

Modern Times

Wartime

Peacetime

Summertime

Wintertime

Springtime (wonder why there is no falltime?)

Setup Time

Time is on Your Side

Time of Redemption

Time of Mashiach (Messiah)

Time to Forgive

Time to Avenge

Judgement Time

Time Unfolds

End of Times

Confusing Times

Work Time

Busy Time

Down Time

Quiet Time

Meal Time

Bed Time

Nap Time

Starting Time

Ending Time

Almost Time

Happy Times

Sad Times

Holiday Time

Hopeful Times

Solemn Times

Special Time

Important Times

Tough Times

Structured Time

Lawless Times

Time of Doubt

Time of Birth

Time of Death

Time to Work

Time to Retire

Time Alone

Time Apart

Time Together

Me Time

My Time

Our Time

Family Time

Play Time

Party Time

Happy Hour Time

Game Time

Show Time

Movie Time

Real Time

Dinner Time

Lunch Time (no real breakfast time!)

Private Time

Time Stamp

Time Magazine

Thank You For Your Time 😉

With special appreciation To Rebecca Blumenthal for brainstorming this with me–it was a fun time! 

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Remembering Every Moment

I saw a frightening movie a while back about a girl that had been drugged and brutally raped. 

In the movie, the girl is eerily warned, “You won’t remember, but you will never forget!”

That line leaves an indelible mark–that something can be so horrific, so scaring that you can’t recall it, and can’t forget it. 

Now there is a new device coming to market that helps you recall everything.

Memoto is a 5 megapixel tiny camera (36 x 36 millimeters) with an embedded GPS that is worn around the neck, like a necklace. 

When clipped on, it starts taking the phones and when put down or in a pocket it shuts off. 

The Memoto takes 2 photos a minutes (1 every 30 seconds or nearly 3,000 a day if worn all the time).

The photos are stored in an accessible cloud app that uses GPS to sort the photos on a timeline with a date and location stamp.

Photos are private by default, but can be shared using traditional social media, such as to Facebook or Twitter. 

The battery lasts about 2 days and is rechargeable by connecting to your computer at which time the photos are uploaded to Memoto’s servers. 

Wear, photograph, recharge/upload and repeat. 

Privacy issues abound with a device like this–imagine wearing this into the bathroom, locker room, bedroom, or even a private corporate meeting–lots of embarrassing and compromising no-no’s here!

At the same time, imagine all the precious or memorable moments in life that you can capture and enjoy–it’s the realization of the photographic memory you’ve never had, but always wanted. 

Also think of that rapist or other criminal approaching you–getting photographed, caught, and punished–so that the victim really does remember, and can forget with a new peace of mind. 😉

2 Eggs Are Better Than One

Aside from the cholesterol, generally speaking two eggs are better than one.Two eggs here, as you can see, are two friends–in it together, working together, putting their heads together, sharing life together.My father always told me that with that special someone the joys in life are twice the joy, and the sorrow in life is half the sorry–he is a smart man!

When it comes to friendships though, I have learned there are many types of friends and we have different names or references for them:

– Childhood friends–“We go way back.”

– Best friends forever–or BFF; often you’ll see this on bracelet charms, necklaces, or even t-shirts–this is reserved for your closest buds.

– High school sweethearts–“first comes friends, then comes marriage, and then comes a baby in the baby carriage.”

– Confidant friend(s)–these are people we feel we can talk to, connect with, and trust with our personal and emotional secrets. Ummm, don’t tell, but…

– Neighbor friends–you live near or next to each other, so might as well bring over some welcome muffins or borrow some sugar–then again, “tall fences, make good neighbors.”

– Casual friends–these are friends you keep in touch with “every so often” and share some laughs or have a “cold one” with.

– On again off again friends–people you are friends with one minute and alienated from the next–often an endless cycle–you like somethings about the person and other things drive you mad!

– Work friends –these are associates that you work with day in and out–40, 50, 60 hours a week or more–and who you share work experiences, challenges, projects, and sometimes frustrations with–and don’t forget “happy hour”.

– Friends with benefits–this is a naughty friendship and is what it sounds like–at your own foolhardy risk!

– Marriage partner and best friends–the most fortunate people are those who find their “beshert”–the one true one that they are destined to be with–and who is not only their life partner, but their soulmate and best friend.

Good luck finding and keeping your friends of all types–these are precious and make life worth living.

(Source Photo: Meme shared with me)