Never Too Young To Train

This was cute!

The little boy holding his mom’s hand and running around the track.

While many kids would cry and resist the exercise, this kid actually ran after his mom to go with her.

It was nice to see!

Never too young to train!

This is how excellence is born. 😉

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

@Bagels and Business with CEO Hair Cuttery, Dennis Ratner

Hair Cuttery has 1,000 company-owned Salons in 18 states in the USA.  

Dennis Ratner, the founder and CEO is a huge success story.

– Puts people first. 

– Gives back to the community. 

– Believes in vision, planning, and execution. 

– Dennis said: “Effort = Reward” and to be “Relentless” in pursuing your passion.

– Great roles model. 

(Source Video: Andy Blumenthal)

Preparing Simchat Torah Dinner

It was great going to Magen David Synagogue today to help prepare for the big Simchat Torah Dinner tomorrow night. 

First, we started with great ingredients.

Then all the prep.

The cleaning, slicing, dicing, mixing, laying it all out, and braising.

Then the cooking–stovetop, and oven.

And before you know, it comes out all done and ready for the scrumptious shul dinner to honor the Torahs.

I want to thank all the women and men that helped out today and many other times to prepare.

But especially, I want to call out Naomi Elimelech who coordinates everything and is the brains behind all the delicious and healthy food. 

She and her husband, Itzik, who is also the President of the synagogue, are truly wonderful, caring, and giving people and a role model for all of us–and it’s not just the cooking!

B’tayavon everyone and Chag Sameach!  😉

(Source Photos: Andy Blumenthal)

It’s Fight or Surrender!

This is why President Reagan was able to “tear down that wall” and win the Cold War. 

He was a true role model for leadership and what a President is. 

– Faith in G-d.

– A strength of convictions.

– The Integrity that touches hearts. 

– Courage to carry forward. 

– Pride in our nation.

– Judicious use of our might.

Go USA! 😉

Rocky Says

A quote from my role model Rocky: 

It’s not about how hard you hit.
It’s about how hard you get hit.
And keep moving on.
That’s how winning is done.

Go Rocky!

And by the way, you should hit pretty (i.e. very) hard also. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal) 

Purpose Is To Help People

I don’t get impressed by others easily. 

But one thing that does immediately get my respect and admiration are people who sincerely believe in and are there to help others. 

Of course, there are some professions like soldiers and first responders who put their lives on the line to safeguard others that come to mind. 

But then there are the people we sometimes meet in everyday real life–people that live for doing good for others. 

Yes, not many people are so unselfish and giving, and that is why it is an incredible person who lives this. 

One person that I have had the honor to meet recently is such a person. 

Months ago, in a stressful situation, I watched them get up and get someone a bottle of water who was choked up and just needed a sip of relief. 

Then again, I saw that whenever they were asked a question or for some assistance, they almost immediately dropped whatever they were doing–and without any resentment–to do whatever they can to help, anytime, anyplace. 

When I heard them talk recently about their philosophy on what life is all about–they confirmed exactly as I had been seeing, they said:

“I want to help people!”

And they went on to explain how that is the greatest job we can do–whatever our role is–simply, to help others.

Someone doesn’t have to be wounded or dying on the battlefield or in urban warfare to merit that help. 

Just being another human being with a heart and soul–that itself is enough to jump to their aid and help, help, help. 

To me, this person really encapsulates the essence of what life is all about. 

It’s not I, I, I.

It’s about what I can do for others.

We were created by the Almighty to learn to live beyond our meager selves and serve the greater good, our Creator and his children.

All I can say is that these people who live and breath this loving, caring, and giving lifestyle are totally awesome to me and my personal role model and heroes. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Letting It Out

We hit the boxing gym last night for a little tour. 

Guys and gals working out on the punching bags, mitts, and pads. 

It was great to see the energy–push ups, sits ups, weaving and jabbing, kicks, and more. 

They even had an Israeli self-defense class, taught by what I believe was a non-Israeli–that was a little strange.  

I asked one guy who looked like he’d been around the block there, if he was one of the instructors, and he told me how he’s been boxing for 30 years. 

Curious, I said “What did you do before boxing?” He said, “Fighting! I’ve been fighting my entire life.”

Anyway, whoever is laying around the house in front of the boob tube day and night–you need to get out and try some moving and shaking. 

Great stuff, and right in the mold of my role model, Rocky!  😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Might Does Not Make Right

I heard from someone the other day…

“Do what is right–the others be damned!”

And this is right on the money.

You should always follow the dictates of your conscience.

Do not worry about pressure from others or what others will do that you cannot control. 

My dad (A”H) used to say:

“YOU do what is right–YOU be the example!”

He was my example, and I will always follow in his footsteps. 😉

(Source photo: here with attribution to cursedthing)

Thirsty And Hungry

I took this photo today of this funny banner hanging out a thoroughfare window in Washington, D.C.

This big 6 feet banner says “Moms Drink For Free.”

So not sure, is it a special running at the local bar for the holidays or a wish by a bunch of mom’s looking to get toasted?

Now, look carefully to the right, and you can see in the next window the messaging continues and it says “+ Send 1 Pizza.”

So these “moms” are not only thirty but apparently hungry too–they want pizza and brew!

Not sure to what happened to “moms” just being normal mothers and good role models, and not hanging their menu cravings out the window in downtown. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Still In Love After 58 Years Together

My mom and dad are still in love after almost 58 years of marriage.

While I already knew how special they were to each other–through thick and thin–when my mom took my dad’s hand at the table, and said he has always been the love of her life, it was just beautiful.

Their life has certainly not been easy–escaping from Nazi Germany as children, losing most of their education, and coming to this country with literally nothing. But they worked hard, worshipped G-d dutifully, gave charitably, and greatly valued their family and friendships above everything else in this world.

They are good people and a wonderful role model to all of us, and we have always been like one extended family.

I’ll always remember when my mom took his hand and said how much he meant to her–it was awesome!

May God bless them both, always. 😉

(Source Photo: Rebecca Blumenthal)