A Soulful Journey

  A famous writer was in his study. He picked up his pen and began writing: ** Last year, my gall bladder was removed. I was stuck in bed due to this surgery for a long time. ** The same year I reached the age of 60 and had to give up my favorite job. I had spent 30 years of my life with this publishing company. ** The same year I experienced the death of my father. ** In the same year my son failed in his medical exam because he had a car accident. He had to stay in the hospital with a cast on his leg for several days.  ** And the destruction of the car was a second loss. At the end he wrote: Alas! It was such bad year!! When the writer's wife entered the room, she found her husband looking sad and lost in his thoughts. From behind his back she read what was written on his paper. She left the room silently and came back shortly with another paper on which she had written her summery of the year and placed it beside her husband's writing. When the writer saw her paper, he read...

A stranger finds a man on his hands and knees under a street lamp in front of his house. He asks what he's doing there. The man replied he's looking for his keys and the stranger than gets down on his hands and knees to help.  After while the stranger asks, "Where did you drop them?"   "In my house,"he says.   "Then why are you looking out here?"   "Because it is dark in the house."  There are times when, seeking to avoid pain or difficulties, we look for enlightenment where it cannot be found.

"The sight of a gravestone, weighty not only in its granite, allows us perspective on problems as pressing  as burnt toast, taxes and fever." -Donald Hall Our mortality gives a framework for life.  If there were no death we would never allow ourselves to grow to the heights of which we are capable.

"By all means get married.  If you find a good wife, you will be the happiest man on earth.  If you find a bad wife, you will become a philosopher-- and that is still good."  -unknown Navigating life is not easy.  Relationships present issues that need to be faced and resolved.  The good news is everyone faces them.  The better news is that for thousands of years people have done the same before you and they succeeded.

"Problems are messages." -Shakti Gawain

 Cohen, a shopkeeper, called up a manufacturer to order more goods. “Listen Cohen,” the manufacturer shouted, “You already owe me for the two last orders – and now you have the chutzpah to call in another order for merchandise?   You should be one hundred percent ashamed! You think I’m in business for love?” Cohen pleaded ad explained that he would send a check for his total indebtedness the following day.   “I’m gonna borrow from my wife’s insurance.   Listen, you’ll get a check absolutely in tomorrow’s mail!” The manufacturer relented and said, “Okay – I’ll ship the order.” Then he relaxed for a minute and said, “You know, Cohen, I wish I had a hundred customers like you!” Cohen was stunned, here he was insulted and all of a sudden he I complimented, so he asked, “Listen, first you complained about me and then you say you wish you had a hundred customers like me.   How come?” The manufacturer sighed, “Cohen, let me tell you I really wish I had a hu...

A couple experiencing marital problems went to see a rabbi.  The man complained that his wife did not take care of him. "Du bis gericht," (you are right) declared the rabbi. Then the wife objected that her husband did not appreciate her. "Du bis gericht," declared the rabbi. "But how can we both be right, rabbi?" "Du bis gericht."  -Rabbi Louis Jacobs There are time when everyone is right.  The solution must be found in compromising.

“We wish to make our lives simple, certain and smooth and for that reason problems are taboo.” - Psychoanalyst, Carl Jung Didn't someone once say, "Honesty is the best policy?"  Why do we not abide by that axiom?

In a clip from one of Robin Williams’ last films he says into the camera, "Remember, suicide is a permanent solution to temporary problems. "

  “It is often argued that the people who will be affected by a major decision should be involved in it.   Paul Kruger, president of the Transvaal in southern Africa, once resolved a dispute between two brothers about a land inheritance they were to share.   Kruger’s decision: let one brother divide the land, and let the other brother have first choice.”   – Louis E. Boone