Thoughts to Ponder 9

UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD
Rabbi Ephraim Epstein
The truth is we will never understand it completely. There are different reasons as to why man can never fully fathom G-d and His ways. Firstly, man is finite with finite capabilities, and G-d is infinite with infinite capabilities. Understanding G-d fully is simply beyond the grasp of humanity.
Another reason why G-d and the way He runs the world escapes us is because man lives for such a short amount of time on this earth. King David writes in Psalms, "The years of man are seventy or eighty..." G-d is omnipotent, all- powerful, and eternal. This can be compared to a visit to the theater. Did you ever walk into a movie in the middle and have to leave before the ending? Did you come away with a complete understanding of the movie? Of course you didn't. That is what life on earth is like. We have not been around that long; and we won't be present for more then a few generations if we are fortunate. So how can we truly make sense of the nearly six thousand year old world that we live in. We can't. But we do have the tools for a successful life - having faith in G-d and fulfilling His Commandments.

US VERSUS THEM
When two or more people find they have sufficient in common to call themselves "us," they will immediately look around for a "them" to hate. It is a corollary of this law that is so dangerous or sinister. If we want to strengthen the "us-ness,"' our sense of unity as a nation or a people, one the easiest ways of doing so is to find a "them" to hate. It was a formula used by Hitler and the Nazis in the 1930's, winning them instant democratic but bigoted popularity against Jews, with horrendous consequences for that innocent minority and the consequences of death and suffering for millions of others. - Indarjit Singh

WHAT IS LOVE?
It's a word we use a lot. But what does it really mean? ... How about when we say 'I love ice cream'. What I really mean is probably something like, I love myself (and enjoy eating ice cream). Or what about when I say that I love another person? ... Do I really love that person? Or do I just love myself - and enjoy being with him (or her)?
In Hebrew, the word for love is Ahava. Which really means to give ... which is a very powerful and important insight. Love is about giving. It's true of a spouse. A child. Or a close friend. If I love someone, I think of their needs. Their needs become my needs. And I give of myself ... and then an amazing thing can happen. The more I give, the more I love.

WHEN YOU'RE AT DEATH'S DOOR
I wish I had burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I wish I had cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I wish I had eaten the popcorn in the "GOOD" living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I wish I had gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I wish I had never bought anything just because it was practical, or wouldn't show soil stains, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
I wish I had never insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I wish I had sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I wish I had taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I wish I had talked less and listened more.
I wish I had invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I wish there had been more "I love you's" and more "I'm sorry's".
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I wish I had cherished every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist G-d in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I wish I had said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it, live it, and never give it back.

WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH A STORM

When you walk through a storm,
Hold your head up high,
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of a storm is a golden sky,
And the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind.
Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dream be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk on,
With hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk alone.
You'll never, walk alone.

Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, music by Richard Rogers
The Sound of Music

WOMAN IN THE GLASS

When you get what you want in your struggle for self,
And the world makes you queen for a day,
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself,
And see what that woman has to say.

For it isn't your father or mother or husband
Who's judgment upon you must pass;
The person whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

She's the person to please, never mind all the rest,
For she's with you clear up to the end.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the woman in the glass is your friend.

You may fool the whole world down the pathway of life,
And get pats on your back as you pass.
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you've cheated the woman in the glass

YOU ARE SPECIAL

Special is a word that is used to describe
something one-of-a-kind like a hug or a sunset
or a person who spreads love with a smile or kind gesture.

Special describes people who act from the heart
and keep in mind the hearts of others.
Special applies to something that is admired and precious
which can never be replaced.
Special is the word that best describes you.

YOU ARE WORTHY

Do not undermine your worth
By comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different
That each of us is special.

Do not set your goals
By what other people deem important.
Only you know what is best for you.
And when in doubt … there's the One above who knows better.