Throw away, move on and why worry in advance?

My memories are so clear with all the miracles that have happened in my life. My childhood and life journey, however, when people reminisce, it takes me time to remember. I do not remember the name of the famous book, but I love the first line, “life is hard.” Once you start there, you can only rise, deal and move forward. That is how I function and get through, and know that I can get through absolutely anything and everything.

Once the hard stuff is done, I throw it away. Done. I do not hold on to it because it does not serve me. I understand sometimes there are big life changes that completely transform and shatter us, and that is something different. Maybe for now I am specifically talking about day to day. Gedale Fenster has a way with words, his latest post said, “FAITH is how you handle the past, GRATITUDE is how you handle the present. TRUST is how you handle the future.”  Why worry in advance? I love the phrase, “why let worry live rent free in your brain?

Yesterday was the first day back to school for my three kids. Everyone was looking forward to seeing their friends and took time to get themselves ready. My oldest son goes to school an hour and a half away, got up early and was focusing on taking the early train. Once out the door he realized his phone signal was not working and his suitcase handle was jammed. My brain goes into figure out mode, so I told him that he knows the train schedule and exactly how to get there, and we had a larger duffel bag he could take instead. The most important thing was not to miss the train, because there was a shuttle that picked the kids up at a certain time to take them to the village. I am so proud of him, that with all the obstacles he figured out how to kick the suitcase in a certain way that the handle released, and survived without a phone for the long ride. I asked him if he knew of the show Happy Days, when the Fonz would hit the jukebox with his fist, and thanks to You Tube, he knew what I was talking about, google it!

Technology is good when it works! My youngest son also had phone trouble, downloading certain apps, and it was so frustrating to have stuff happen all at once in the morning right before they had to leave for school. The phones are used for everything from the bus cards to school projects. Kids are so independent in Israel, and I feel blessed that they are busy and free, and so am I. It is such a beautiful feeling to focus on me again.

Once they all left for school, for me, all those troubles were in the past, nothing to complain about, just focus on my day. What a day it was! Right down the street from me at the Waldorf Astoria was the first day of the JNS conference. I had to google it, it stands for the Jewish News Syndicate. All of my favorite keyboard warriors were there, online powerhouse voices both Jewish and allies. These voices have kept me sane and informed before and since October 7, and on all of my online platforms my goal is to repost truth. I wish I could meet them in person, and God willing one day I will. Although I am happy to be a source for conversation and have my own followers, what the people who attend JNS do is next level. I realized that I am happy to have them as a source, but the haters that they have to put up with would be hard for me to deal with. I love to spread light, the positive view and guide people to balance the crazy. I will stick to what I know, but all of the people I follow and admire, help me feel balanced and give me peace.

In the evening I attended an event with hostage families, it was so powerful to see everyone together, supporting each other. Singing and praying together, and when there were tears onstage, the crowd would shout, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I felt so honored to be in their presence, sending them loving energy. Rachel Goldberg-Polin and her family are such an inspiration and comfort to all of us, with her strength and advocacy to bring all of the hostages home.