A Soulful Journey

"Today I saw a red-and-yellow sunset and thought, 'How magnificent I am!' Of course, I thought that yesterday, too, and it rained...."  Woody Allen Does the world make you what you are?  Or do you make that decision?

Lincoln cared about the “music of words.,” Mr. Wlliis continued.   “He read everything aloud, even the newspapers, driving his aides crazy.”   Such care for cadence is hard to find today. Teaching writing is extremely difficult and labor-intensive, and Cicero’s advice to an orator is still valid: write, write – write with the idea of hearing words.”   - Barth Healey Words should be joyful, colorful and thought-energizing.  Craft them well and watch what you will create.

An archaeological mission went from Moscow to an area alongside the Turkish border to excavate a potentially historical site. Because of the site’s location, a KGB agent was assigned to the group. After a few days of digging the team came across a human skeleton but the archeologists were unable to determine just how old it might be.   At this point, the KGB man asked whether he could be alone with the skeleton for a few minutes. “The skeleton is exactly 1,500 years old,” proudly announced the agent after only a couple of minutes. “That’s incredible!” exclaimed the archeologists,   “How did you figure it out?” “Easy.   I forced a confession out of him,” said the agent.   – David Harris

Jack Reimer told of being in Abraham Joshua Heschel’s class.   Heschel would walk into the room, look out the  window  at the sky and say, “Gentlemen, something wondrous happened last night.   Did you see it?   Did you notice?   The sun set.” “And we would look at each other with embarrassment, for we had seen it but not really, until he called it to our attention.   We had seen it, but not noticed.”

As he lay close to death, Stalin asked to see a priest. “Father, I want o go to heaven.” “In that case, you’ll need to call in all your enemies and ask forgiveness,” the priest told the dictator. “Fortunately, Father, I have no enemies,” Stalin replied. “But how can that be?” wondered the priest. “I killed them all,” replied Stalin.  ~ Rabinovitch and Harris

"The Lord answers on the day of trouble for the Name of the God of Jacob set you (Ps 20)." Why does it say the “God of Jacob” and not the “God of Abraham?”   To teach that the owner of the beam should us the thickest parts as support.   -Berachot 64a In life, rely on supports that are sure not to give way, whose strength will not surrender or collapse when you need them most.

He who feeds the sparrow and guides the robin's flight, Will raise the sun tomorrow and light the stars tonight. His love for us is endless; His hand can calm the sea. He who feeds the sparrow, still cares for you and me. He showers us with blessings that we might see and learn Asking only that we listen and love Him in return. He who feeds the sparrow and guides the robin's flight, Will guide my path tomorrow and give me peace tonight. - Clay Harrison