Happy Windsday (?)

The purpose of this email is to turn things upside-down at the Shabbat table. Please print and share (+ like it, tweet it, forward).

You may have heard about these tremendous winds on the East Coast today.

Major trees down. Power flickering.

This is a classic case of forest v. trees.

If there's a flood, some people say, "Woe is me!"

Others react, "What a great opportunity to replace that floor!"

When the power goes out in the middle of your work, some people say, "Oy, how am I going to work?"

Others say, "What a great opportunity to take a break!"

Question 1 for your table: When the wind is strong enough to blow trees down, what do you say?

Question 2 for your table: What's your favorite optimist quote?

(Here is one of mine: "You can't make an omeletet without breaking eggs.")


Shabbat Shalom


PS - Some people make a bracha on strong winds - can you guess which one?

 

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Spring Springs When It . . .

The purpose of this blog is to help conversation bloom at your Shabbat table. How about printing it?

Happy Birthday to Barry in Mill Valley. Happy birthday to Dee-Dee in Portland.

Wishing you health and wisdom til 120.

Last week's email about Stephen Flatow* generated a massive response. (If you missed it, his inspiring story is archived here.) It's a story of persistence. Commitment. Intellectual clarity.

This week the world is facing a more.... let's call it an critical thinking issue.

Today is supposedly the first day of Spring.

So how come it's snowing in New York?????

In other words, who says it's the first day of spring?

And why should we believe them?

Think about it.

Look it up: the official answer is, "equinox."

OK, how many people reading this know what that means?

How many people reading this know someone who knows what that means?

Look it up, it's not as simple as you thought.

In other words, once upon a time, spring meant, "when flowers blossom".

Spring meant an experience of rebirth and renewal.

Spring meant a spring in your step. Spring meant a new hope. Spring meant optimism.

Then somebody somewhere (probably Julius Caesar) said, "Hey, in mid-March the sun appears to traverse the equator - let's call that "spring".

And we all said, "Okay" without giving it a second thought.

Nevermind that it's snowing and nothing is blooming.

It's spring, buddy, ignore your feelings and watch your step on the ice.

Come to think of it, maybe that's why Brutus et al. killed him on the Ides. "You want to tell us when spring begins? We'll show you!"

"Et tu, Brute?"

"Out, et moi! That's for trying to tell us when spring begins, and that's for your stupid Julian Calendar being off by three days every 400 years, and that's for the seriously unhealthy ceasar salad."

So on this allegedly auspicious week I challenged a group of 10th-graders to a critical-thinking exercise: come up with five different ways to define spring.

They came up with six.

How many can you come up with?

Shabbat Shalom

* Clarification: I received the story via email from an unknown source. I edited the story. My edits were both major and minor. I did change the font in the story to indicate where the (revised) text begins and ends. I probably could have and should have tracked down the original author, but (as I wrote), I was pooped.

PS - It is really time to start thinking about Pesach - 2 weeks! If you want my list of suggested seder gimmicks and gadgets, send me an email. Browse books and toys here and don't forget the Art of Amazement Haggada — Leader's Edition. You can download a preview here.

The 8 Habits of Lucky People

The goal of this blog is to add some unpredictability to your Friday night dinner table. Please print and share.

Why is it that some people seem to have all the luck?

So is the lead for a new perspective on being lucky by Dr. Mark Banschick published in Psychology Today.

Banschick argues that lucky people aren't lucky, they live life in a certain way that makes them appear lucky.

Want to be lucky? Here are the 8 habits:

1. Time: Lucky people don’t say; “Not today, there’s always another opportunity.” When opportunity knocks, answer!

2. Optimism: Lucky people engage opportunities with optimism and good will.

3. Openness: Lucky people are prepared to be in awe of the world. Breathe deep. Each moment is precious.

4. Generosity: Lucky people understand that sharing often makes for more good energy and more connections.

5. Flow: Lucky people are easy-going. They are ready for the unpredictable, the opposite of obsessive compulsive.

6. Skill: Lucky people develop skills…. Said pro golfer Gary Player, “The more I practice the luckier I get.” This is the opposite of flow: this is developing good habits.

7. Flow Again: Lucky people stay easy-going, even as they buckle-down and work on skills.

8. Going Home: Lucky people discern when to declare a bust or a wash.

So here's this week's question for your table: 

Based on the above, are you lucky?

Shabbat Shalom


PS - My iphone and android app has been updated - if you haven't already please get the free update.

iOS version: http://tinyurl.com/amazingcalendarlink
Android version: http://tinyurl.com/amazingandroidcalendar

PPS

How Full Is Your Glass?

This week, I got to spend two days with someone who told me, "I'm excited to get out of bed in the morning."

That inspires me.

Is he problem-free?

No way, hozay. Nobody is.

But what an amazing attitude!

So in his honor, today's topic is a new twist on that old line about the optimist versus the pessimist.

Here's how to play it at your table:

Fill a glass halfway with water.

Ask: "How would you describe this glass - half full or half empty?"

I predict that most people are either truly optimistic or have heard this metaphor and want to appear optimistic, so say, "Half full".

Some may say, "Half empty".

You then ask:

What kind of person would answer, "The glass is empty" ??

The responses should be interesting.

Then you get to ask the kicker:


What kind of person does it take to answer, "The glass is full!" ??
 
And how does one become such a person?

Shabbat Shalom





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Good or Bad?

Dedicated to the loving, hard-working mother of my children who is somehow still smiling!


+ + + +

Sorry this is being posted so late… just got back from the hospital.

I’ll explain, but first a question.

Who would Kobe Bryant rather play 1-on-1, Shaquille O’Neal or…

Alexander Seinfeld?

Why is it that none of these NBA stars want to take me on 1-on-1? It would be such an easy win for them?

OK, here’s the scoop.

Our newborn, Tehila, was admitted last night.

I know what you’re thinking – “That’s terrible!”

On the one hand, it would be a stretch to say my wife is thrilled at the prospect of spending Shabbat in the hospital.

On the other hand, we’re absolutely grateful.

First of all, the tests have found nothing wrong with Tehila. She had a fever, and as a precaution for a newborn, they need to keep her monitored for 48 hours. We’re so grateful that she’s healthy. Without all those wires and tubes, who would have known she was so healthy?

Second of all, we’re so grateful for the first-rate care that we are receiving. Amazing.

Third of all, neighbors and friends have been sending food etc. Overwhelming.

It has been said that the best things in life require effort, even pain, “no pain, no gain.”

If this is true, why do so many people seek an effortless, comfortable life?


Shabbat Shalom


PS – in case you missed last week’s “Big Announcement”….

I have launched the fourth, revised and expanded edition of The Art of Amazement.

If you have one of the old editions, you’re probably going to enjoy the new. If you know someone who might enjoy it and have been wondering where to get a new copy, search no more. And if you’ve never read it....I, I just don’t know what to say!

Check out the snazzy new cover here.

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.” - Churchill