So this past motzoei Shabbos my shul had their annual N’shei melava malka and I went with my mother. I knew there would be zero (0) other single ladies there but I was told there would be sushi so…(No sushi after all but yes acai bowls). I think people were surprised to see me but no one said anything they …
Years ago, someone told me to remember that “there are always fewer fish in the sea.” This well-meant(?) warning succeeded in ingraining a scarcity mindset in me while not actually helping me connect any more easily with anyone I dated. I recently talked this out with my mentor M’nucha Bialik and she had the greatest reframe:
Part I was so much fun, I couldn’t resist picking up with more. Though the AMA trend on imamother.com has simmered down, I’m sure there are those out there who are just so eager to hear the inside scoop on the life of an older single. So without further ado…
Two questions:
My friend wrote this poem and so generously allowed me to publish it. Thank you!
A friend sent me a beautiful photo she had taken of a field of sunflowers. You could see in the photo how the flowers had turned their faces towards the sun. It was so unexpectedly moving and made them seem almost human.
A friend and I were learning a bit about tefillah, and she referred to shidduchim as “a nisayon of waiting.” The simplicity of these words resonated. I know that when Hashem seemingly withholds that which we need, He is giving us a reason to daven and have a closer relationship with Him.
I learned something beautiful from a client. One client in our support group mentioned that she was interested in a guy but felt insecure about pursuing him, so probably wouldn’t. Another chimed in, “One thing I’ve learned:
I’ve never been married, so take this or leave it, but I think you should take it 😉 . I’m writing about a trend I’ve seen in shalom bayis education that really bothers me.
Two books I read earlier this year discussed loneliness versus solitude. According to Together, by Vivek Murthy, solitude is “peaceful aloneness” or intentional isolation that helps us connect with ourselves, and enhances our emotional well-being. Seeking solitude is actually a protective factor against loneliness. Mary Pipher writes that we can intentionally “alchemize” our loneliness into solitude by enjoying our own …
