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Showing posts with the label mitzvah

For 2014: Depression, Reality, and Positive Thinking

I searched for this report on NPR but couldn't find it. What's the reference? This morning--at least, I think it was this morning (I had one glass of wine last night), I heard on Morning Edition (at least, I think it was on Morning Edition. Same reason as above) to which I awaken every morning-because music would send me back to sleep-a very interesting report through my sleepy stupor.  It questioned the premise that positive thinking is best for a good life. Yes, you read that right.  It questioned whether people who are 'glass half full' people really see reality.  It questioned the premise that people who tend to be depressed, are not living in the real world.  You know how psychological gurus, preachers,Chassidic and other spiritual leaders always emphasize the positive? They tell you to 'think positively,' 'don't be negative,' or 'depression is a sin?'  The question was asked, who is in touch with reality more, sad and depressed people,...

My Daughter's New Mitzvah: L'hiyot be'Simcha, and Do Tikkun Olam

I just read my daughter's RSD Blog, and although I had spoken to her about the 4th of July barbeque right after it was held at her Tel-Aviv apartment, and knew what had ensued, I was very moved by what she wrote about it, and decided to post it in it's entirety here.  This is my daughter, in a wheelchair for a year with a so-far incurable nerve disease called RSD/CRPS (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), whose life changed in an instant due to a relatively minor car accident from "normal," to disabled, at the age of twenty-three. Please visit her blog, My Personal Battle with RSD .  Here is her 4th of July post. Perfection, Bliss, and a `whole’ lot of Soul… This past 4 th of July, I bore witness to the most beautiful and pure thing anyone could ever possibly view.  Some people might say that that is a bit extreme of a statement. These people are right. It is incredibly extreme. But, it is true. Imagine seeing a s...