Introspection

During this time of year, we stop and think about ourself and do some introspection. I think that while we're doing this, we should each think about our own role and how we are serving Hashem. And we should ask ourself, 'Am I doing what He wants me to do? Or am I Just doing what I want to? For example, let's say a person chooses to do a mitzva that's not for them, like tefillin, but doesn't keep shabbos. That's like doing a research paper on the Soviet Union, when you were supposed to do it on America. Anyway, during this time of year we think about our life and make goals for the coming year. One piece of advice that I'm sure a lot of you know is to do things one step at a time. This way, there is more of a probability that you will stick to your goals and achive them.

I wish you all a healthy and happy new year

Here's an excellent article from aish.com
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Spiritual Workout

West Coast or East Coast

Which do you prefer, the west coast or the east coast? I like both. But I think I like Los Angeles more. After I came back from my trip, it felt so good to be home.

It's interesting that at first it's like I want to go and so I go and have a great time, and then when I'm back, I'm happy to be home. Which reminds me of something I read a long while ago in the book 'The thinking Jewish teenagers guide to life' by A. Tatz, about the soul wanting to travel and also wanting to be home too. Anyways, both coasts have a lot of interesting things and so I like I like both. Which do you prefer?

Love those fowards

I wanted to write something but I wasn't sure what. And so I decided to share a funny foward that one of my friends sent me. Hope you enjoy.

A police officer pulls a guy over for speeding and has the following exchange:

Officer: May I see your driver's license?

Driver: I don't have one. I had it suspended when I got my 5th DUI.

Officer: May I see the owner's card for this vehicle?

Driver: It's not my car. I stole it.

Officer: The car is stolen?

Driver: That's right. But come to think of it, I think I saw the owner's card in the glove box when I was putting my gun in there.

Officer: There's a gun in the glove box?

Driver: Yes sir. That's where I put it after I shot the woman who owns this car and stuffed her in the trunk.

Officer: There's! a BODY in the TRUNK?!?!?

Driver: Yes, sir.

Hearing this, the officer immediately called his captain. The car was quickly surrounded by police, and the captain approached the driver to handle the tense situation:

Captain: Sir, can I see your license?

Driver: Sure. Here it is. It was valid.

Captain: Who's car is this?

Driver: It's mine, officer. Here's the registration.

Captain: Could you slowly open your glove box so I can see if there's agun in it?

Driver: Yes, sir, but there's no gun in it. Sure enough, there was nothing in the glove box.

Captain: Would you mind opening your trunk? I was told you said there's abody in it.

Driver: No problem. Trunk is opened; no body.

Captain: I don't understand it. The officer who stopped you said you told him you didn't have a license, stole the car, had a gun in the glove-box, and that there was a body in the trunk?

Driver: Yeah, and I'll bet the big liar told you I was speeding too!

Monday night and Tuesday

Looking out the window
I hear it's raining outside.
The soft sound is kind of soothing.
Later there's a grumble and
then a radiant flash of light.
And later on, it's over.
Stepping outside the next day,
there's a clearness that's not usually
there, like when you shine a window
with windex.
It's absolutely beautiful.

So Cute

First some backround before the story. Recently, some shabbos ago, my mom told this story of when she was recently looking after my nieces. She was at my sister's house with the two girls, and at first the girls were in the den and she was in another room. Then they came up to her and said that they want to ride their bikes to grandma's house(their father's mom who lives near). And so they go to the garage, put on their helmets and then get on their bikes. And because my baby nephew was at the in-laws house, my mom took the stroller with.

And off they went. My nieces riding ahead and my mom walking with the stroller. Then the girls were at the end of the block and waiting for my mom to come. The older one then got off her bike, walked back to my mom and took the stroller. When my mom got to the end of the block, my older niece said that they will continue riding to the house(which was around the corner) and then she will come back for the stroller.

Kids do the cutiest things.

Then at the in-laws, my nephew was put into the stroller, and my mom and nieces and their other grandma went to the park which is close by.

Great article for parents and others

Excellent list
"20 ways to bring out the best in your children"
http://www.aish.com/family/mensch/

Man, there are so many blogs out there. What I like about reading other's blogs is meeting other people and making internet friends. Granted it's not like being with friends in person, but when you can't be with your friends because everyone's doing something else, it's nice to converse on blogs and forums for that matter. What I also like about it is that when you read, you get an understanding of the person and you start caring about them like you do with other friends.

Awhile ago, while I was walking, I was thinking how it would be interesting bumping into someone I don't know and as we're talking, we find out that we read each other's blog. Man, that would interesting. For one thing, we could finally put a face to the person we're reading. :)

It's been 4 years

I remember going to a class that day four years ago and hearing some things but not knowing what had happened. Then I finally found out and I was in a state of shock. And like other people, I was watching on TV what happened. It was truely horrible.

I think NJ says it very well in his tribute.
http://jewishissues.blogspot.com/2005/09/4-years-millions-of-tears-remembering.html

I'm Back

Well I'm back from my trip. I had a great time while on the east coast. Saw a couple of friends and some family and went to a bunch of places with one of my friends.

On a more serious note, I want to mention something that's on my mind. Eventhough this thing that I'm going to mention is not new, it still caught my attention. And so I decided to write something. I feel that when we do mitzvos, we should not do it as if it's a boring chore, but should do it with enjoyment. I know some might say that they were only taught what to do and not what to feel, but still we have the ability to decide how to do what we do and the ability to decide how to feel. And so we should use our ability and choose to put joy into the mitzvos we do. After all, this will increase our happiness in life and I'm pretty sure that's something we all want.