Recovery. Sobriety. Living Wise.
“If I am not for myself, who is for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” These questions posed by Rabbi Hillel have tripped me up more than a time to two in my life. In fact, I can think of few questions that are as vexing. My sense of self, who I think I am, is … Continue reading The Rabbi’s Question
I met Betty Pesek while working for a nonprofit in Chicago. Betty lived in a wealthy north shore suburb and possessed a graceful, quiet demeanor that shrouded a steely temperament and a deep resolve to make a difference with her life. She may have looked the part of a country club matron but inside she possessed the spirit of Jane Addams. In 1974 Betty … Continue reading My Friend Betty
“Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves.” ― George Gordon Byron (Lord Byron) At some point or another we’ve all been exposed to ideas that have divided us into opposing camps. Some ideas are more strident than others, some more malicious, but all are biases and all make up the habitat of sectarianism. … Continue reading How My Mind Was Opened
Friday evening was the beginning of Passover, when the “mighty hand of Adonai” freed the Israelites from Egypt and sent them to wandering — in the desert. It is a story well worth remembering. It begins when the Israelites were held in bondage in Egypt. The Hebrew word for Egypt is mitzrayim, which literally means a “narrow place.” The Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, starts fretting … Continue reading Passover
I think we’d all agree that self-absorption is an unhealthy characteristic and that we have too much of it in our social media-driven age. I heard it said that some people never have reflections unless they stand before a mirror. “I may not be much, but I’m all I think about.” How true. But today we’re witnessing something more sinister, a kind of malignant self-absorption … Continue reading Narcissism Unleashed