The Interview With God (Poem and Video)

I dreamed I had an interview with God.

“So you would like to interview me?” God asked.
“If you have the time” I said.
God smiled. “My time is eternity.”
“What questions do you have in mind for me?”

“What surprises you most about humankind?”
God answered...

“That they get bored with childhood,
they rush to grow up, and then
long to be children again.”

“That they lose their health to make money...
and then lose their money to restore their health.”

“That by thinking anxiously about the future,
they forget the present,
such that they live in neither
the present nor the future.”

"That they live as if they will never die,
and die as though they had never lived.”

God’s hand took mine
and we were silent for a while.

And then I asked...
“As a parent, what are some of life’s lessons
you want your children to learn?”

“To learn they cannot make anyone
love them. All they can do
is let themselves be loved.”

“To learn that it is not good
to compare themselves to others.”

“To learn to forgive
by practicing forgiveness.”

“To learn that it only takes a few seconds
to open profound wounds in those they love,
and it can take many years to heal them.”

“To learn that a rich person
is not one who has the most,
but is one who needs the least.”

“To learn that there are people
who love them dearly,
but simply have not yet learned
how to express or show their feelings.”

“To learn that two people can
look at the same thing
and see it differently.”

“To learn that it is not enough that they
forgive one another, but they must also forgive themselves.”

"Thank you for your time," I said humbly.

"Is there anything else
you would like your children to know?"
God smiled and said,
“Just know that I am here... always.”

Author Unknown

Don't Quit (Poem and Video)

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

- Author unknown

The A-Z of Friendship

During this special period of time, a post to think about the value of relationships and what a true friend really is. Of course, it's not just finding the person who meets these qualities that counts. It's about being the person who others see as a true friend. This is what we all need - more than ever - now!

A Friend…

(A)ccepts you as you are
(B)elieves in "you"
(C)alls you just to say "Hi"
(D)oesn't give up on you
(E)nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts)
(F)orgives your mistakes
(G)ives unconditionally
(H)elps you
(I)nvites you over
(J)ust wants to "be" with you
(K)eeps you close at heart
(L)oves you for who you are
(M)akes a difference in your life
(N)ever judges
(O)ffers support
(P)icks you up
(Q)uiets your fears
(R)aises your spirits
(S)ays nice things about you
(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it
(U)nderstands you
(V)alues you
(W)alks beside you
(X)-plains things you don't understand
(Y)ields to your loving touch
(Z)eros out your worries / (Z)aps you back to reality!

A Friend is a Treasure

by Jean Kyler McManus

A friend is someone we turn to,
When our spirits need a lift,
A friend is someone we treasure,
For true friendship is a gift.

A friend is someone we laugh with,
Over little personal things,
A friend is someone we're serious with,
In facing whatever life brings.

A friend is someone who fills our lives,
With beauty and joy and grace.
And makes the world that we live in
A better and happier place!

See Me (Poem)

At this time of year, it's a great time to think about ourselves - and about others. The poem below gives us some insight into the life of "an ordinary lady," who finds herself in hospital being taken care of by the nurses. We have no other info about her - she's not the woman in the picture above... The poem was found among her possessions that she had left behind...

I guess the nurses could be substituted for family, friends or anybody really. Are we any different? Beautiful thoughts to consider throughout the next few days and weeks as we pass through our own days of Judgement (sic). "Someone" will be Judging (sic) us through these next days. How well will we "size-up", as we consider how we have judged others?

See Me

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?

Are you thinking, when you look at me --

A crabby old woman, not very wise,

Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,

Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,

When you say in a loud voice -- "I do wish you'd try."

Who seems not to notice the things that you do,

And forever is losing a stocking or shoe,

Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.

Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse, you're looking at ME...

I'll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still;

As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I'm a small child of ten with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters, who love one another,

A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet.

Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet;

A bride soon at twenty -- my heart gives a leap,

Remembering the vows that I promised to keep;

At twenty-five now I have young of my own,

Who need me to build a secure, happy home;

A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,

Bound to each other with ties that should last;

At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,

But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn;

At fifty once more babies play 'round my knee,

Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,

I look at the future, I shudder with dread,

For my young are all rearing young of their own,

And I think of the years and the love that I've known;

I'm an old woman now and nature is cruel --

'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart,

There is now a stone where once I had a heart,

But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,

And now and again my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys, I remember the pain,

And I'm loving and living life over again,

I think of the years, all too few -- gone too fast,

And accept the stark fact that nothing can last --

So I open your eyes, nurses, open and see,

Not a crabby old woman, look closer, nurses -- see ME

A Poem: Neighbourly Love! (Includes some Pics)

It's so much fun when the neighbours build
And think they're in charge of the whole wide world.
The mess they make, the noise they make
Please have respect for Heaven's sake!

We learnt a new law
No building and noise
Beyond seven at night and more

Who would expect at 9pm
A request to stop building
Is met with "Forgive them,"

It doesn't seem to matter
The time of night or day
Whether the neighbours
Need to work or pray

The motive in mind
Is expanding my house
No matter what trouble
Is caused to man or spouse

Don't worry about our balcony
Which once was clean and pretty
The damage – the mess
The headaches and stress

Don't think your landlord
Will be of help
It's up to you to clean and repair
Indeed it's true – we all need to share!

In short a tenant has no rights
The lowest of society
They'll need to pay the bills
Though it was they that suffered all the drills.

Where are our rabbis
From years gone by
Who have compassion on the needy
For the Beit HaMikdash they do cry!

Where is the honesty, kindness and truth
Have compassion on your neighbour
Don't be so aloof

They – who don't have money
Or so they say…
Are building again!
Does anyone pay?

---

So you be the judge. Who can say if the tenants whose balcony is destroyed was in the right?! Torah allows it and the tenant must pay for full damage done to the landlords balcony - though the damage was done by workers from the apartment above.

We need Mashiach - and soon!

Here's what it's all about in pictures:

Below: Apartment on floor 4 has begun building an upper loft. New rooms to be added instead of balcony too. Everything looks clean. Making those two tiny openings creates enough noise from the drilling as to necessitate leaving the apartment on floor 3 for at least a week!

Below: A side view. Building of upper floor on both sides.

Below: New room being added. Old rooms being renovated. Everything - clean, at least for the owners of apartment on floor 4!

Below: But take a look at what's really going on to the innocent bystander! Floor 3 must deal with the constant flying of rocks and stones.... and the wet cement (now dry of course!) Noise levels are impossible to recreate in this post!

Below: A sample and close up of the rocks, dirt and grime... and the wet cement (now dry!)

Below: Another close up of the mess. It's for the tenants to clean up - not the owners of the apartment who are actually building! However because of the wet cement - they're now required to repair the balcony for their landlords.

Below: On the other side, rocks have fallen even through the security bars onto the ledge of the main bedroom. Another mess for the tenants to clean up. It's not the responsibility of the owners above... yes, even according to Torah law!

I guess it's all just a reminder. The Beit HaMikdash is in ruins...

Moshiach's Hat - WELCOME MOSHIACH WITH OPEN ARMS

Tonight is Rosh HaShanah 5769!
The initials of the Hebrew letters spell out...
תשס"ט
תהא שנת סימן טוב
"May This Year be a Good Sign!"

You may well look around you wondering at all the different Jews all serving the Creator of the world crowning Him as King.

We also await for a king of flesh and blood to appear and take us out of our current exile... But... it seems, we're too taken in by the latest designer clothing especially the styles of hats available!

Who could this Moshiach be? What does he look like? What type of clothes is he wearing?

What type of head covering does he wear?

We all know the answer to this already!

And maybe that's why he just hasn't revealed himself yet!

Instead, as we sit this Rosh HaShanah praying to G-d, we could take a moment and shift gears.

As we look around at each other - and especially at the real possibility of the Moshiach revealing himself immediately, let us remove our differences and our imaginations at what should actually be, and instead, let G-d run the world, bring Moshiach, and take us out of this doubled and re-doubled darkness we are ALL currently in.

This poem is a favourite amongst many. Hope you enjoy.

MOSHIACH'S HAT

'Twas the night of the Geulah, -- And in every single Shtiebel
Sounds of Torah could be heard -- Coming from every kind of Yeedel.
This one in English, -- Some in Hebrew, some in Yiddish.
Some saying P'shat -- And some saying a Chiddish.
And up in Shamayim--The Aibishter decreed:
“The time has come -- For My children to be freed.
“Rouse the Moshiach -- From his heavenly berth.
Have him get in his chariot, -- And head down to earth!”

The Moshiach got dressed -- And with a heart full of glee,
Went down to earth and entered -- the first Shtiebel he did see.
“I am the Moshiach! -- Hashem has heard your plea!
“Your Geulah has come! -- It's time to go free!”
They all stopped their learning; -- This was quite a surprise.
And they looked at him carefully, -- With piercing sharp eyes
“He's not the Moshiach!” -- Said one with a grin,
“Just look at his hat, -- At the pinches and brim!”
“That's right!” cried another -- With a grimace and frown,
“Whoever heard of Moshiach, -- With a brim that's turned down?”
“Well,” thought Moshiach, -- “If this is the rule,
“I'll turn my brim up -- Before I go to the next shul.”
So he walked right on over -- To the next shul in town.
Sure to be accepted, -- Since his brim was no longer down.
“I'm, the Moshiach!” he cried, -- As he began to enter
But the Jews wanted to know first -- If he was Left, Right or Center
“Your clothes are so black!” -- They cried out in fright.
“You can't be Moshiach--You're much too far right!”
“If you want to be Moshiach, -- You must be properly outfitted.”
So they replaced his black hat -- With a Kippah that was knitted.

Wearing his new Kippah, -- Moshiach went out and said:
“No difference to me -- What I wear on my head.”
So he went to the next shul, -- For his mission was dear.
But he was getting frustrated -- With the Yidden down here.
“I'm the Moshiach!” he cried, -- And they all stopped to stare,
And a complete eerie stillness -- Filled up the air.
“You're the Moshiach?! -- Just imagine that!
“Whoever heard of Moshiach -- Without a black hat?”
"But I do have a hat!" -- The Moshiach then said.
So he pulled it right out -- And plunked it down on his head.
Then the shul started laughing, -- And one said “Where's your kop?
“You can't be Moshiach -- With a brim that's turned up!”
“If you want to be Moshiach -- And be accepted in this town,
“Put some pinches in your hat -- And turn that brim down!”

Moshiach walked out and said: -- “I guess my time hasn't come.
“I'll just return -- To where I came from.”
So he went to his chariot, -- But as he began to enter,
All sorts of Jews appeared -- From the Left, Right, and Center.
“Please wait - do not leave. -- It's all their fault!” they said,
And they pointed to each other -- And to what was on each other's head.

Moshiach just looked sad -- And said, “You don't understand.”
And then started up his chariot -- To get out of this land.
“Yes, it's very wonderful -- That you all learn Torah,
“But you seem to have forgotten -- A crucial part of our Mesorah.”
“What does he mean?” – “What's he talking about?”
And they all looked bewildered, -- And they all began to shout.

Moshiach looked back and answered, -- “The first place to start,
“Is to shut up your mouths -- And open your hearts.
“To each of you, certain Yidden -- Seem too Frum or too Frei,
“But all Yidden are beloved -- in the Aibishter's eye.”
And on his way up he shouted: -- “If you want me to come,
Try working a little harder -- On some Ahavat Chinam!”