This week we’re going to hear the megillah. I always enjoy following the drama of the Purim story. The climax, of course, is when Mordechai tells Queen Esther to go speak to the king about Haman’s evil plot. As we know, Queen Esther is hesitant, telling Mordechai that anyone who goes to the king uninvited is put to death. Instead …
Happy Rosh Chodesh Adar! Mishenichnas Adar marbim b’simcha – so let’s discuss simcha. This is a topic that comes up rather often on the blog, as it’s something that can be a struggle for anyone going through a nisayon (and not just shidduchim, obviously!). Recently, two married friends told me, separately, that the number one best thing I …
I just submitted my application to an MSW program. This would be my second master’s degree. I’m not 100% sure that I’ll go through with it even if I am accepted to the program. Right now, I’m okay in my current field, although I definitely have moments when I’m sure I need to be doing something different, and that that …
So remember how I once said I always wanted ballet lessons? And finally took lessons in my twenties? This winter my lifelong dream of voice lessons started to come true. For literally years I wanted to find a voice teacher but I stalled because I didn’t know precisely what to be looking for in a teacher or what to expect …
One afternoon as I sat in my car waiting for someone to return a call, I started writing this list. (I’ve been adding to it from time to time). I love reconnecting to that childish sense of enchantment! Do you relate to any of these?
I stumbled upon an interesting concept in a book recently. Social psychologist Roy Baumeister studies “anticipated aloneness” and the effects that envisioning being alone in the future has on people. Just imagining future rejection and loneliness actually knocks people’s IQ down a few points and makes it harder for them to engage in rational thought about anything. The problem …
I really have to admit that I do not enjoy exercising. Like at all. I know they say it releases endorphins and whatnot and makes you happier but no matter what I do, I can’t seem to find an exercise routine I enjoy. I don’t even like running! (Any suggestions?) Recently, my friend shared the simplest idea for making exercise …
A few days after my younger sister got engaged, my friend’s younger sister also got engaged. Similar situation, same age difference. And I had this moment when I went, Oh! I get to pay it forward already! Because over the weeks around the engagement, I had experienced just how amazing it feels to receive empathy from others who can put …
I’ve never attempted to write fiction, but I want to try my hand at it. Dystopian fiction, to be precise. I understand that stuff sells. And I would base it on the excellent material at my fingertips. My book is set in a world where all men and women are expected to marry at exactly the ages of 23 …
My younger sister is engaged. The one who was in elementary school when I was in seminary. I didn’t think this would really happen. When I sat down to write this post, I wasn’t sure which direction to take it in. To let you know how I’m doing? To share chizuk with anyone in the same situation? To philosophize …
