So as we have done for ages…
We pray.
We weep.
We bless.
We request.
We thank.
We only control what we say and do.
The rest is in G-d’s merciful, blessed hands. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Category Archives: Words
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, “Actions Speak Louder Than Words.”
When we see wrong and evil in this world, we have a duty to stand up and speak out with truth and integrity, to be a good influence and guide things for the better, and even to repair the world (“Tikkun Olam”)…Words are perhaps a good start, but also, “words are cheap.” The way to really judge someone is less by their words, and far more so by their actual deeds. Moreover, sometimes words aren’t enough and we need to not just say something, but do something! As Edmund Burke stated, “The only thing necessary for triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” It’s great to speak out when we see wrong, but more than that we have to be willing, when necessary, to act out–to do something.
As Jews, we need to be ready, willing, and able to stand up for what is right in the never ending war of good over evil in this world–regardless of silver or lead, G-d forbid–with our words and with our deeds.
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Ocean of Words
I really like this phrase from a book that I’m reading called “Like Dreamers.”
An ocean of words and a desert of ideas.
Too often, we hear people who like to hear themselves talk, think very highly of themselves, show off, or just spout away.
And while they say a lot…
There may not be a lot there.
New ideas, thoughts, ways of looking at things, innovation, creativity, outside the box thinking–that’s like a desert!
In Yiddish (and it’s always funnier in Yiddish), we say:
A big, big mouth, and a tiny, tiny head.
Similarly, in Hebrew, there is phrase that translates to:
Say a little, and do a lot.
Sometimes, the smartest people are the ones who use their words wisely, strategically, with depth and meaning, and when they really have something to say.
It’s at that time that you better be listening. 😉
(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Oh Baby, It’s Warm Outside?
I love when people can communicate through pictures effectively.
Truly, a picture is worth a thousand words–probably more.
This was a simple drawing to depict I assume global warming.
– 2000 some nice mountain glaciers.
– 2020 the snow is melted.
It’s like the person didn’t have to say a word.
But I get it.
Also, I know there is supposedly a lot of scientific evidence for global warming.
But for me personally, I don’t see it or feel it.
The summers, if anything, feel cooler and the Winters feel colder to me.
I know that is anecdotal and not representative of the world.
However, it is hard to reconcile what the scientists say, when your own eyes aren’t seeing it.
Granted, I’m not in Alaska where, for example, the glaciers are melting,
Still wouldn’t we be feeling something here?
Maybe a few degrees really isn’t perceptible.
I guess time will tell us for certain.
Hopefully, by the time we do see it, we won’t get run over by the speeding train. 😉
(Credit 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)
Trump’s Uncanny Ability To Call A Horse A Horse
So President Trump has an uncanny ability to call something what it is and literally brand it that way.
After Stormy Daniels lost a recent lawsuit against Trump, he called her “Horseface.”
Not a nice term about people and things he doesn’t like.
But you know what when I looked at her, I could see what he saw.
And you know what, she will go down in the history books as Horseface.
Similarly, with many other brands Trump has bestowed on others:
“Crooked Hillary (Clinton)”
“Failing New York Times”
“Crazy Joe (Biden)”
“Criminal Enterprise (Clinton Foundation)”
“Save Your Energy Rex (Tillerson)”
“Countries That Rip Us Off (NATO)”
“Worst Deal Ever (Iran Nuclear Deal)”
“Losers, Thugs (Islamic State)”
“Fake News (CNN)”
“Pocahontas (Elizabeth Warren)”
“Cryin Chuck (Schumer)”
“Will Make America Weak Again (Nancy Pelosi)”
“Crazy Rants (Maxine Waters)”
“Rocket Man (Kim Jong-Un)”
“Doing Many Bad Things Behind Our Back (Iran)”
Again, I’m not condoning name-calling of any kind.
And words certainly do hurt.
However, Trump does seem to see things that are like, “Oh yeah!”
And once, he coins a term, it sticks!
Not that it’s right, but he has a genius to brand people and things.
What he sees and what he calls it, just like a branding iron, will stick with them forever.
Why? Because a horse is a horse, especially once it gets called out. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
From Mouth To Friendship
So it’s amazing how people are so willing to throw away friendship.
They get angry about something having nothing even to do with you.
They say things they probably don’t even mean, and in turn you may say things you don’t even mean.
Often you say things just to bring the other person to their senses.
But sometimes they don’t come to their senses.
They need to let out on someone and you’re the convenient scapegoat.
Before you know it, they throw your friendship under a bus.
Personally, I’m not one to make friends that easily or quickly–there needs to be some real chemistry and the building of trust–but then I am one who is an eternally loyal friend.
Yet, I see others, they kiss and hug and say you’re like family, but then when they get angry, oh boy, you are gone like the wind.
Maybe that’s not what real friendship is.
To me, friendship surpasses dumb deeds and words and stupid fights, it’s about being there through thick and thin.
Take the false teeth out and put some permanent ones in–they last much longer. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Tongue-Tied Silence
Sometimes in life, people are left tongue-tied.
Too shocked, shamed, confused, or abused to speak or perhaps to even know what to say anymore.
Maybe in the face of some horrible things that happen in life, there really are no words.
Instead, the vacant or crazed look in the eyes says it all.
People go through a lot–some of it is inhumane.
Sometimes, only tears can even begin to express what they are feeling.
I think one thing that is important to do, even when we’re not sure what to say, is to acknowledge that it is okay.
Silence is often golden.
Listen more, watch more, feel more, learn more, reflect more.
Ask more questions.
Usually, I’m told to ask at least 5 times (i’d say at least 3) to decompose to what is really going on underneath the superficial covers.
“Tell me more.”
“What else?”
“Can you elaborate?”
Sometimes, people have difficulty getting in touch with their true feelings or accurately diagnosing what’s bothering them.
It’s more than okay to be thoughtful, be deliberative.
Words are often cheap, but they shouldn’t be.
Our words should be truthful, meaningful, insightful, even righteous.
Take all the time you need, your words are worth it. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
Power of Speech
I loved this magnet on this wonderful old Jewish ladies refrigerator who lives in our community.
“If you have nothing good to say…
Say nothing.”
I remember we used to talk about this saying in my house growing up too.
It is a famous teaching from the holy Chofetz Chaim.
I remember as a bar-mitzvah boy, someone in our community in Riverdale, NY gave me a set of the Chofetz Chaim’s books.
And I enjoyed reading from them daily about always being careful with how you use your words:
– Not to hurt anyone.
– Not to speak bad about anyone (i.e. Lashon Hara)
– But rather to use words pointedly and always for the good.
Kind words.
Gentle words.
Complimentary words.
Words of love and caring.
Holy words.
The Chofetz Chaim seemed to have an endless number of wonderful stories to demonstrate the power of speech and the importance of using it for the good.
The old saying of “The pen is mightier than the sword,” can be used replacing the pen with the tongue and power of speech in general.
Words can cut someone like a knife and even kill or words can create a tremendous healing when it’s full of love and caring for others.
Actions speak louder than words, but words can speak and perform volumes in the eternal fight of good over evil. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
White Lie, Black Truth
No this is not another civil or human rights post, although I like writing those as well.
Rather, this is about how we use our words to help and not hurt others.
“White Lie,
Black Truth”
Yes, we all know that it’s wrong to lie (it’s even in the 10 Commandments).
Except, of course, when we need to tell a “white lie” in order to keep someone’s feelings from getting hurt.
For example, I may not like your new haircut, but when you ask me glowingly what I think, instead of telling you how it’s too short or whatever, I tell you, “Yeah, it looks great!”
Then, there is the “black truth.”
That’s when we swallow hard and tell the truth to someone, even though it may hurt their feelings, it’s ultimately for their good.
For example, your child may be going of course with their lives, and while you don’t want to hurt their feelings, you know you need to tell them the truth in order to help them course-correct.
Telling lies or truth can be hurtful to people, but a white lie isn’t really bad, because it’s used to protect someone’s feeling, the black truth, is also not so dark and foreboding, because there are times when you need to get past the superficial, be real with someone, and tell them the hard truth in order to help them in a very practical sense.
That’s one of life’s most difficult lessons, that not everything is black or white. 😉
(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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