Jewish musings, Wed., Sept. 4

[gazelle18]

What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.

Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:
Frieda (hopefully)?
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy

And for those of you that stop by to read this thread without posting — you are welcome to, but you are also welcome to chime in. Don’t be shy!

[gazelle18]

I was inspired by everyone’s responses yesterday. What I mostly got from the responses is that we are basically ok with aging, and grateful for what we have been given, health wise, and age wise. These responses reminded me of one of my favorite teachings, from Pirke Avot. “Who is rich? He who rejoices in his own portion.” The teaching goes on to say that “When you eat the toil of your hands, you are fortunate and it is good for you.”

Speaking of the “toil of our hands,” here is what I want to talk about today:

What toil in your life (whether literally from your hands or not) are you the most proud of?

I am satisfied with so much of my toil, from the really hard work I did as a lawyer, to the Shabbat dinners I toil over every week, and the cakes I bake for every birthday. These toils have brought satisfaction to me, and joy to others. What about you?

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE! Please pray for Israel.

Re today's topic: I'm proud that I generally do the best I can, with what I've got. I feel good that I am good at taking care of my family and that I help my friends when possible. I'm proud that I got my BA all those years ago, and that I've encouraged DS to learn as much as he can. I'm proud that I do my best to get along with DH and DS.

Looking back at my past, I'm glad I've made it this far! I'm glad I was very active when I was younger; I have a lot of good memories and am glad I saw so many different places and met so many people.

I'm glad I've learned how to appreciate the many good things in my life. I used to take many of them for granted, and now I know that it's important to pay attention.

Mostly, however, I want to say that being aware of kindness, generosity, looking out for others, taking care of myself, etc., are all valued parts of my life.

Have a peaceful day, Lee

[louise]

Thank you for this topic especially as I begin another High Holy Day marathon. I work a lot for my synagogue and I get a lot back. I'm proud that things run so smoothly every year. This year I'm proud that I delegated the Rosh Hashanah kiddushes to someone else. I passed along all of my notes. I am proud that I am a good project coordinator and problem solver at work and so have helped us make many beautiful books, bringing them in on time and on budget to the extent possible.

I tend to fall into that "if I did it, it couldn't be such a big deal" kind of thinking sometimes so it's good to look at the accomplishments from the other side. Reminds me that today is the first of Elul and we blow the shofar every day during Elul, point being I heard the shofar today at morning minyan and feel like I am blowing my horn now.

We are having a vigil Thursday night at shulfor the 6 who were murdered. Monday my rabbi was driving his daughter to college and tonight we have a different concert so that's how it is we are only getting to it now.

[hollygail]

For me, I'm still doing what I love, teaching pre-adolescents and also adults interesting things about being Jewish. I'm paid to teach 6th/7th/8th graders some Jewish liturgy (mostly around holidays and Shabbat) and to get them successfully through b. mitzvah. I teach adults either how to read Hebrew and/or about the liturgy they're already experiencing but know little about. Watching my students become bar/bat mitzvah sheps such naches!

I gotta go shower, dress, make and eat breakfast and get to shul for morning minyan. Today is the first day of Elul and I'm hoping someone will blow shofar!

[peachymom1]

I'm most proud of my job as a parent. I really put all my heart and soul into being a good mother when my kids were growing up. Every parent makes mistakes, and I'm no exception. But oh, the rewards of admitting it and saying you're sorry when you mess up...my kids know I am honest and do my best, though I accept I will never be perfect. My role has changed now, of course; I'm a consultant now instead of a manager. And that's as it should be.

I didn't plan to be a career admin, but I do get a lot of satisfaction out of my work. My team can do anything for themselves that I can do for them, or learn how. But they don't want to. They like me to take care of them, and so do I. :+)

[brgmsn]

I'm proudest I raised really good human beings. Like, exceptionally kind and giving.  And that they all have a strong Jewish identity. I'm proud when I got laid off I went back to school as an adult and got not just my BSN but loved it so much I got my MSN, which opened so many doors for me. I'm proud of the work I did in schools, especially with teens, and of my many years teaching adults. I'm proud I worked so hard when I was younger that I can now be retired and travel as we've always wanted to, and that Bob has a part time job he loves.