Words of Wisdom

I want to share these words of wisdom someone shared with me, and they seem to be something that others are gaining from as well:

"The difference between a dream and a goal is a deadline."

He said put little stickies on your wall for each week, and put down what your goal is for that week, to make your dreams and aspirations start moving somewhere. (Gerry learnt this from DA)

Of course we can only make goals for ourselves, and our choices of action, not someone else's...like a parent can't make a goal to have their child start being conscientious about doing their homework, they can instead make a goal for starting to set limits or to educate the child, but they can't ultimately make the choice to change. (this last part was seen on something written by Dr. Phil.) :)

May we all come closer to our goals, on this fast day. May we all be drawn towards teshuvah (return) to closeness with our Creator.

What is this fast day about? Do you know?

I read this nice article on the fast of the 10th of Teves at ou.org. Here's the link:

http://www.ou.org/chagim/roshchodesh/tevet/fast.htm

Kumsitz Tonight

I'm having a kumsitz tonight after the fast. Bring musical instruments, divrei Torah, and anything that has inspired you recently that you want to share with others. Email me if you need directions to my place.

Another Blog

By a searching Jew who converted, and seems to have a great soul. He put up this website to educate Christians who are vering off the path of their Christianity. He seems very deep. Some of you might find it an interesting sight as well.

http://sagavyah.tripod.com/id82.html

He also told me about this interesting website, which teaches things about Yemenite Jews, who try to maintain what they say is the closest link to how our Mesorah was originally enacted. They are also followers of the Rambam, and don't keep anything enacted after a certain timepoint by Rabbis. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yemenite_Jews

Nachum Segal Radio Show and another Nice Blog Spot

Nachum Segal Radio Show

I found this link among some other really nice links on the blogspot:

http://asimplejew.blogspot.com

Breslov Radio Online

http://www.radiobreslev.com/index_eng.html

Live Tele-Shiur from Israel - R' Nasan M'Breslov z"l - The Force Behind the Source

Fw: This post has been forwarded to you for you review:

Originally Posted by: "Talmidei Baal Shem" fivetownschassidus @ yahoo.com

**Live Tele-Shiur from Israel - "R. Nasan M'Breslov, z"l - The Force Behind the Source" - Thursday Night (12/28) @ 9PM NY Time -
With Rav Nasan Maimon, Shlita
**L'Kavod the Yahrtzeit of R. Nasan M. Breslov (10th of Teves) -
"R. Nasan M'Breslov, z"l - The Force Behind the Source".
(Note That We Still need a sponsor for this week's shiur)

This shiur is based on Likutei Halachos - If you're new to this sefer, Likutei Halachos consists of R' Noson M'Breslov's collected Torah discourses, in which he used the chassidic insights contained in R' Nachman's lessons, stories, and other teachings to illuminate the entire body of Jewish law applicable today, as codified in the Shulchan Aruch.

Rav Maimon is the Executive Director and lecturer for the Breslov World Center. He received his Smicha from, and teaches in, the Yeshiva Chassidai Breslov in Jerusalem, and delivers classes and lectures in Talmud and Chassidus throughout the United States, Europe and Israel. You can hear some of his shiurim at at the following link: http://www.breslov.

This is a LIVE teleconference. To Access it, just dial 1-218-339-7800 and at the prompt, Dial the Access Code - 24681358#. (Note - you must dial the "#" after the access code) (This is a minnesota number, so it will be a long distance call)If you would like to sponsor this or subsequent shiurim, or would like more information about this shiur, Please visit our group at http://us.f362.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=fivetownschassidus%40yahoo.com.

Please spread the word and contact us with your email address, as we're trying to distribute the link to the shiur afterwards as well.Enjoy, and Gut Shabbos!
------------ --------- --------- ---

Rabbi Chaim Eisen on the Yeshiva System Today

http://www.aishdas.org/avodah/faxes/teaching.htm

Haven't read the whole article yet, but what I read so far I love! Enjoy :)

A friend referred me to this link. Thank you, Michael.

SHMIRAS HALOSHON FOR SINGLES

FW: A SHMIRAS HALASHON YOMI CAMPAIGN has been started for the sole purpose of accumulating zechuyos for singles. When you join you will recieve 2 halochos on shmiras haloshon via email, daily. The Halachos are written in a clear and interesting manner and questions are welcome.

LEARN TWO HALACHOS A DAY AND HELP END THE SHIDDUCH CRISIS!!To join this exciting program visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/segulah4singles/

This is what people are saying about the program:

"I look forward to these e-mails each day! Thanks so much!! Tizke Limitzvos!!" MK
"Fantastic!" -HA
"Thank you for everything. May we dance together at each other's Simchas soon." -TH
"Thanks for all the e-mails. You are really giving the public a great zechut!"- Chavie

- As an added note: "Hachayim Vehamavet beyad halashon" - (I don't remember the source.) But the power of how we speak to and about one another has monumental impact, here and on the spiritual realm which ultimately affects us here, whether we realize it and acknowledge it or not. Additionally, one way to grow to become a better spouse and friend is to work on speaking in constructive and supportive ways to each other, building each other and the people around us up.

Foreign Adoption Rules

This is an interesting and noteworthy article (see link below). On the one hand, it could end up discriminating against some good parents out there, but on the other hand, it's good to see a country finally take a stand about the concept of trying to make sure their children are taken care of by parents who are capable of really doing so. Too many parents are not really doing the job properly that was entrusted to them, and are shirking their responsibilities, or worse damaging the children in their care. It's about time someone started to scratch the surface of taking notice of this issue on a global level, in my opinion. Kudos to them for also showing a sense of flexiblity in the process and seeming open to revisions...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061225/ts_nm/china_adoption_dc

Still Sick

Apparently I caught a virus last week when I went to visit a friend at the end of Shabbos. It was either airborn, or someone double dipped their fingers in the chummos at Shalesheudis, is my guess. But one way or the other, I have this virus, and the doctor said it could last anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks. I hope not!

Being Sick

Can be a blessing. I was running around very fast before it happened, and while a lot of the time is spent in too much pain or too unconscious for reflection, I have caught a few moments of good time with myself. There's nowhere to go, just here in bed, reflecting, thinking...It's wonderful actually...have missed doing this for a long time...

I think I might know who I caught it from too, she was sick for about a week - last week. So that's my guess.

I'm sad about having to cancel my meal for Friday night, and Oneg this week...it really would have been nice to have people over for singing and Divrei Torah, but Hashem has His Plan, and I'm sure it will be a better one that I could have planned. Maybe the plan is for me to experience the kiddusha of this week on my own...

Home Sick

For the past 3 days. I've been sick..yuck...

"Addictions for Everyone"

Read an interesting article by Sarah Chana Radcliffe on what addictions are and aren't.

http://www.sarahchanaradcliffe.com/art_addiction.htm

Today is officially my birthday

For the past 48 minutes it has been my birthday. I'm not sure what to say other than to wish myself many blessings for the coming year. I have many blessings today too. I will make a list of some of the blessings in my life today, for myself.

I went to a wedding today (or rather Sunday), and it was a special Chuppah. The Rabbi had the people come up and surround the Chosson and Kallah and give them blessings, and sing and dance for them surrounding the Chuppa. In some ways it actually reminded me of the Chassidic wedding I went to recently in that sense. He spoke of love and that love must come with humility, because to love we have to have the capacity to make space for another person, to give to the other person, to be sensitive to their needs.

I'm tired and have a sore throat now. I should get some tea along with many other things for my new place. I'm mostly moved in...and spreading out....I wanted to buy stuff and move in more to my apartment today, but I also wanted to go to the wedding. In the end, I think it was a good move to go to the wedding (although either way would have been a good move - don't you both love and hate those decisions?), it was very appropoe the day before my birthday to spend it with other people dancing for the wedding. It felt nice and comforting to be doing that.

Chanuka Divrei Torah

I'm craving lots of good ones of them, so if you have any good ones or know of any nice uplifting events, pass on the info this way :).

This Past Week

Has been incredibly busy between planning the move and then moving, on top of dating, sort of looking for a roommate, trying to sell off a printer and scanner, planning for Chanuka, starting a new group get-together, and a number of other time intensive things. Wow, and yet I'm looking forward to a busy Shabbos being with people. What a blessing. What a blessing too, that the move actually happened Weds. night.

What a blessing to have had friends to help. And what a blessing to be challenged this past week in dating to make more clear what I want in my relationship with Hashem. Sometimes what may seem to be a big challenge, can turn into a blessing. Did I say sometimes? Not always? Ok, I'm still at sometimes. But most of the time, maybe someday I will be able to say always...like Hashem does...

Shabbos Singing After Lunch

I moved into my new place! I'm making Shabbos lunch for some neighbors, some of whom helped me generously with the move. I know at least 2 of the guys have great voices, so I'm hoping it sort of becomes a nice sing-off with joining in neighbors and friends. Being Shabbos Chanuka, it would bring me even more joy to have beautiful singing and Divrei Torah than usual. What a beautiful way to bring in Chanuka :). It's also a wonderful way to spend the Shabbos before my English birthday. Yes, that's right, my b-day is coming up on Monday....

Let me know how your Shabbos and Chanuka went.

I just got an email with tons of musical things going on this coming week...Am looking forward to doing some of them....

Moving Tonight

I'm moving into my apartment finally tonight. Everyone is invited over to come help me move. The truck will be pulling up outside my door after 9 pm tonight, and you can all come help bring stuff inside and see my new place :).

I've been over-renting for this month. And thankfully now can start the move over. Gotta get really good locks for my door, anyone know where to get good ones at a good price?

And for all those who have been wondering, my b-day is coming up this coming Monday!

Melaveh Malka at My Place

Tonight. It's spur of the moment. Anyone reading this is invited to come and bring along friends. Call me for directions and timing.

Yummalicious Chicken

Is cooking right now for Shabbos. In my rush, I dumped in all these interesting spices and it smells so unbelievably enticing I can't wait to try it...

Words Of Wisdom

Sometimes it's wiser to let oneself look bad to a date, if they will try to manipulate you, so they will just go away...

Excitingly My Birthday is Coming Up Soon :)

Weeeehoooo!!!!
So many mixed feelings, but one of them is joy. Birthday parties can be nice, and presents too...:)

Does an Abused Child Make A Good Spouse Someday?

This is such a vast topic, with soooo much to write. I don't have the time to do it anything near justice right now, but the topic rang in my head while I was riding the subway, and I think it's not nearly discussed openly enough in the religious world. So, I will attempt to write more on it. And am just putting the thought out there into your brains. Am curious to hear your thoughts too.

New Apartment

I'm excited about my new place. And am interviewing roommates over the next few days. And seek to trust the Creator to create opportunities and to give me the clarity, or more importantly the blessing of finding someone good to live with. Doing something the nice and easy way could be fun, perhaps. Guess I'll find out soon enough what G-d has in store.