As we approach Passover, I've learned of a new way to think about the holiday. It stems from a conversation I was in recently, when a friend shared how her mother freed her from guilt.A few years earlier, she and her family moved away from her parents, and her father used to needle her about how much he missed his grandkids. My friend confessed her guilt to her mother, who said "Do you really think your father is moping around all the time? He is fine and happy. He is living his life, and … [Read more...]
Call on Boldness to Step Back from Busyness. Shabbat Is a Delight
Our sages say that Shabbat is a delight. You may know people who love Shabbat and keep it and say they wouldn’t be able to live without it. Shabbat is praised as a taste of the world to come. It is the time for deeper intimacy, for the pleasures of the table, for song, for joy, for true respite.So why is it so hard to do? It is such a great idea, but hard to make real. Much as we might long for a weekly day off, a true oasis in time, it’s hard!! Our broader culture is all about action and … [Read more...]
Five Mussar Practices To Charge Your Life In 2018
I am at my favorite Philz, drinking coffee, and reflecting on the past two years since American Mussar was founded. I’ve looked through so many of your stories, and am inspired and humbled by the ways that Mussar is changing your lives. 2018 is a year of blessing - 18 stands for life, and this year I am dedicated to helping you deepen your mussar practice. Below I'll share five Mussar practices you can try. But first some background.The last few months have been rough for me, with three … [Read more...]
The Surprising Connection Between Hanukkah and Self Esteem: A Mussar Practice
Happy Hanukkah! Hanukkah is a holiday of joy, to celebrate a miracle. While today we point to the miracle of the lights, the original miracle was the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks. In this time of darkness for many people, we can take heart from both miracles. And as you will see below, there is a surprising connection between Hanukkah and self esteem.Whether or not you are Jewish, there is a Mussar practice I am going to share that I think you will find meaningful.****Here’s … [Read more...]
Silence: A Mussar Practice For Trump Angst
Would you like a mussar practice for Trump angst? First a question: If you hate Trump so much, why do you keep talking about him?I asked that question to a close relative over the weekend. We were sitting together, watching TV when he said, “I am smarter than that guy, referring to a sports expert.” He had a little grin on his face, and from the way he said it, I could tell that he was lampooning Trump’s statement that he was smarter than Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.In another … [Read more...]