A Typical Havdallah @ Chevra Ahavas Yisroel

Cleaning up Crown Heights

This town puts up posters. I've been taking them down, using them for surfaces to paint on. Its past their day. I wonder, who does clean up around here, with bottles littering the place. The streets are pretty dirty. I notice more and more the trash on the curb waiting to be picked up. Tomorrow, Saturday. Figuring out the schedule. Wish there were more bottle and can recycling bins. Not sure if it would make a difference.
Remember, there is no such place as away!

Love and Respect

 A modesty campaign is going around town. I picked up a postcard that says Love and Respect. Please Dress Modestly. Sure we can do that.

Nice Bucket Challenge

Abundance!

Today I was walking on Empire past a clothing donation box next to Empire Kosher. I was just thinking how I wanted to go to a gmach (a place where I can get modest clothes). There were several trash bags, and a woman sorting through them. I put down the sunflower and basil in the water bottle, and joined her sorting through. I was able to SCORE BIG-the title of the Breslov pamplet I am carrying around. I got 2 long fitted skirts-one denim, a few long sleeve shirts of fun colors like orange and pretty in pink, and a teal vest. It was if everything was made exactly for me. Elul is approaching and its time to let go of any 'shlunky' clothes;anything that does not reflect me being the bat melech that I am.

Hooray!  I also went to Coney Island this evening. Teeming with people.

Spiritual Accounting

Ha Yom yom 27 Menachem Av
 The month of Elul is the month of reckoning. In the material world, if a businessman is to conduct his affairs properly and with great profit, he must periodically take an accounting and correct any deficiencies... Likewise in the spiritual avoda of serving G-d. Throughout the year all Israel are occupied with Torah, Mitzvot and (developing and expressing) good traits. The month of Elul is the month of reckoning, when every Jew, each commensurate with his abilities, whether scholar or businessman, must make an accurate accounting in his soul of everything that occurred in the course of the year. Each must know the good qualities in his service of G-d and strengthen them; he must also be aware of the deficiencies in himself and in his service, and correct these. Through this excellent preparation, one merits a good and sweet year, materially and spiritually.

Goldie goes to Basil

I think the wait staff is getting to know Goldie at Basil, its twice in one week I've sat at the table at the front Basil is the hip Italian restaurant in Crown Heights.. I ordered the bread pudding.kinda chewy I say the flourless chocolate cake is better. Of course, its the company that makes it all worthwhile. Another late Saturday night.....

Feeling Lucky!

decided to buy a lotterticket last night at a local bodega. they were playing Bob Marley.
So many choices!  Mega Millions...I chose Draw 5. I picked 13, and got 1 out of 5. Can't win if you don't play...

Live Light

Live Light

travel Light

spread the light

be the light, 

quote from yogi tea bag

YES

Being Goldie G

I LOOOVE!!! Goldie. She's generous and full of gratitude. I'm ready to head out the door and visit kids and WRITE and visit seniors, today is Senior day. Share the LOVE  What are you grateful for?

LAUGHTER SNAFUS

I'm getting coached on how to turn a laughter practice into profits. Somehow, we have lots of technological challenges. HA HA HA....Pfffftttt....all good. I've been sitting in the cafe for too long now, and my bladder is telling me that ITS TIME TO GO!!! Alright, time to practice Body Comfortable.

Goldie is Generous!

 its just SOOOO fun to shop with Goldie. Most thing things look great and there's the neccessary and EXTRA,  day glo orange purse is only a $ and its half off, right? I got a beautiful dress I could wear to a wedding for $5. Goldie got all glitzed out with a skirt that was pricey being 1/2 off, may it bring blessing, a modest polyester shirt that has shoulderpads with gold on it, and silk pants. Love the look. looking for more bling...

I lost my clothes in the store. while trying things on outside of the dressing room, I hung up my skirt, shirt and cardigan on a rack on the wall. later after moving around the store, my clothes were missing....nothing too attached. fond memories of the blue shirt. moving on....walked out wearing an green Indian dress on the $ rack and white pants that are a little small. I had a lot of fun there. 

and then the beauty supply store across the street. fugget about it!  had to restrain myself from purchasing a  gold sequin beret going back...soon

Gratitude

for
cool morning air,  strong healthy body, opportunities to take naps

I m channeling a lot of creativity-want to paint, organize writing. I maygive up on that, however with a little focus and refinement, I'm so close. going to sleep in the wee hours of the morning are a killer
I'm giving Breema sessions to women, and it feels GREAT to get paid. Ca$h flow. Its definitely mutually supportive. this evening went to the Flatubush Coop, which can be expensive, especially when it comes to produce. I was shopping with a hungry stomach, so bought a few things. I'm grateful to have mung beans, kasha, and quinoa in bulk. I went searching for hair henna, I wanted a type that comes in a cream form from Brasil.  I went to another health food store across the street. They had the brand, but not my color. I settled on going into a Pakistani//Bangladesh store and getting a box from behind the counter. Curious how its going to turn out. Its kinda like having a mud mask on my head.

going to the food coop, I'm inspired to teach a healthy snack class. Nori seaweed, soaked almonds, chia seed pudding

Quote from yogi tea bag:
Love without trust is a river without water.

Channeling Creativity

I  go lots of it!  painting
getting ready to head over the the Community Garden.
stay connected to the breath

I LOVE SHabbes

Singing at Chevras Ahavat Yisrael-very uplifting 3rd meal and havdala. Ready to start the new week

seeing a friend on Eastern Parkway with her son. My weaknesses for eating potato kugel and coleslaw-dripping in mayonaise.  A lively meal with Moroccan food at the Sidofs.  Walking on Kingston and seeing Charlie Buttons. "Merry Chanukah!  Slag Chanukah."

walking to the Botanical gardens. perfect weather.  

LOL Moments with Mendy Pellin

Love this!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRqwan0F8nw

Goodness from the garden

Sunflowers, basil, eggplant, cauliflower.
The tomatoes are ripening. so much abundance.  Grateful for this sanctuary.  a place of tranquility

Love is everywhere

a magic thing happened to me
waiting for the subway last night
it was late, I was waiting for the R. I looked down at the wooden bench
and saw an envelope
written on it
if you see me...
      I'm yours!

like a valentine?

I open up the card, there's a picture of a lighthouse. On the inside it is written in
cursive:
Hey there, 
 Remember that you are Special. Also, if you pray at every meal and during
a bad day, you will feel you can get through the day, and it makes
 you feel like a better person.  
          Love, 
                     a friend
  


on the other side is a drawing of  a flower. it says
You are special 
You are loved   
HOPE  LOVE DREAM

wow exactly what I needed!  thank you

on the back of the card   www.moreloveletters.com
 

Tznius controversy

http://crownheights.info/crown-heights-news/450018/picture-of-the-day-tznius-sign-response

this poster has touched a nerve in the community.
I bless us all to have Moshiach eyes, to see beyond the confusion of the outer, and see whats beyond the surface, to see a person's shining essence

Rockin out with Rebbetzin G!

You know you live in another dimension when…

 A woman wearing a white skirt comes up to you on Kingston saying,”Today is TuB’Av, the wedding between Israel and Moshiach. And may you find your Zivug too.”

Yes Amen to that.

Sarit is wearing all white, stationed in 770, awaiting the arrival of Moshiach Tzidkenu. (our Righteous Messiah true tranlation anointed)

And some people are the same, like seeing Eliezer with the dreadlocks, the Israeli on the street, telling me he needs a place to live, that he bought potatoes and a guy cooks them for him, he shows me his hands, one of his fingers is frozen.

I go to Boro Park, I get into a conversation with Mordechai who brings his mother Bernice to sit on the couch and she rests her head on him. Precious.  He epxlains 1. Most elderly people miss their spouse,

2. the older they get, the more childlike they become. A couch provides a place to sit side to side

Mordechai is a kindred spirit, he worked with puppets, the muppets, entertainment and has a recombent tandem bike

One Mitzvah leads to another...I am sitting outside with Rabbi Yolles sitting in his chair and his daughter Chana nearby. She's fretting and worried.   An Israeli woman with dyed blonde hair and gray roots asks if I speak hebrew. She asks my age. I tell her to guess. she gets it. shidduch?

She's got someone in mind, he volunteers here. She's made over 20 successful shidduchim. Sure, why not?

with the energy of Tu’B’ Av, I danced stresses away at a wedding-dressed in green sneakers and a wig-I’ve got my shtick all ready. I went with Daniella shining like a diamond and Chaya looking good.  Chaya did not go inside. The music is TOO LOUD.  I got to dance with Sylvia. I LOOOOVE Slyvia. She’s a down to earth Frenchie She’s got more vitality than these stick straight 20 somethings.

I met Etty Antian, wearing one of the most feminine dresses, looking like an Indian princess. She says I MUST go to Burning Man.  Black Rock, here comes Rebbetzin G!

all in a days work

7 am  on the sand picking up plastic debris on the sand at low tide. a mylar balloon still with air that looks like a basketball, an orange water gun and an orange  I collect empty water bottles. As a sociolgist there is a piece of a black and white cookie, a wrapper for a pastry, part of an ice pop, and diaper.  I think about the gyres that are out in the ocean. My time on the beach is limited, I'm impatient to get to my next destination. Rehab in Borough Park. I'm returning a skirt to a woman who shared Chaya's room.
I find my way on the train-I get off a stop too soon, and wait again for it to take me to 55th. still a walk....
An honor to be by R. Yolles side
I went to a L'chaim With legendary people.

Lets promote unity

walking on Kingston ave late Thurs night, I saw a young woman taping a sign to a pole. I wondered who had the holy chutzpa h like me to post her message, and curious what her message was. Lost kittens?

No

a  request for less focus on the outer and for people to add in acts to bring the redemption. I think I want to adopt her as my little sister.

Back 'home' in the hood

Its been 2 weeks since I've been in Brooklyn. I walk on Kingston and feels a little like a ghost town. As the sun sets and I go out on the street  I see familiar faces. We say hello, catch up. Chaya and I walk to Lefferts park, it can feel a little ghetto and watch kids playing in the park. She tells me that the superintendents grown up sons play soccer and he comes to watch. Family. Things are familiar, though I haven't seen a corner market in almost 2 weeks.  We go into Family Dollar, I am looking to replace my 'precious' jewlery-I bought a squishy ball bracelet two weeks ago. I lost it in the hospital. I don't see them on the cash register. I ask the man and he directs me to a lower shelf. There are plastic bracelets, in the shape of star and heart. I am wearing them. I am going to share tomorrow that you can wear a bracelet and when you find yourself having a negative thought, to switch to the other wrist.
I looked in a bin on the counter and found two of the bracelets I was looking for!

We were craving chinese food, we got Egg rolls at Empire Kosher. it brought up some memories for me being engaged and eating there. The Israeli owner played with me. it was satisfying. warm. greasy
Went home and heated up baked ziti-food to put us to sleep. ready for shluffy.

sunrise over the E. river

we all need some soul healing. I connect with people. I'm practicing how to connect with anyone. anywhere.  One man who I shared laughter yoga with calls me, 'the Happiness woman.'
grateful for this moment. to share to love. to give.

"start with you and the world will take care of itself"-Panache Desai.

the power of the mind

from Nykki Hardin, who does cleanses and healing

1) Proper care of the Physical Body, and
2) Mastering of the Mind

This is the truth:
Your mind is the most powerful tool you have. It can be your best friend or your worst enemy depending on how you choose to use it.  Become the master of your thoughts, and you can become the master of your domain.

I have seen it time and time again, and I have witnessed it in myself. Meditation has not only fundamentally changed my life, it SAVED my life! 

The DAILY practice of Mantra Meditation is the THRULINE of my existence. It is singlehandedly the most powerful tool in my tool bag. Because it has had such a dramatic impact in my life and I believe so strongly in it -- and also because I have received REPEATED requests from clients and individuals -- I will be leading a weekend workshop that teaches the fundamentals of this powerful, transformation practice based on the practice and philosophy of Transcendental Meditation.

In this workshop, you will learn how to implement this daily, home practice that is simple, easy, and only asks of short time intervals making it much more practical to implement. You will no longer need to rely on a class or a CD, but will be EMPOWERED to take the health of your thoughts and your body into your own hands.  It provides relief from stress and anxiety, helps alleviate insomnia and depression, and it will help you become so intimate with your own mind that you learn how to USE it rather than ABUSE it!!

Forget about marrying rich, I need a grant!

Ok, my gift to the world is sharing laughter. I walk around with a cardboard sign that says
are you getting your daily dose of laughter?
I get all kinds of responses. curious, smiles and a few frowns. I walk through Penn station and stop the Amtrak conductors.  I  dance in the subway to Peruvian flute music, I miss the S train, it pulls away. Time for a laugh! HAHA. A man who I made eye contact with comes over and we make a laughter smoothie. Strawberries and tranquility. Perfect.
I take the train uptown, the airconditioning on the 6 feels great. I accidentally hit a woman in the ankle with my foot. Oops. In my intention to share some laughter with a couple in their 60's I hurt a woman. oops.
Ok! laughter break!  Just led 1 min of laughter with a husband, wife, and teenage daughter in the family room overlooking the E. river. Yeah! I'm in business.
Ok, so having the matchmaker call is nice-and it would be nice if the man who she suggested does call, however, its time to start a Kickstarter campaign.
Onward and upwards!

Rebuilding the Temple

Tonight is Tisha B'Av. I'm sitting in Cornell hospital on the 4th floor,, overlooking the E. river. I'm wiht my nearest and dearest friend, Chaya. We're listening to Shimshai sing the priestly blessing-Shalom, Basya Schecter sing Eicha and Neshama Carlebach on You Tube. I'm in my element here under the florescent lights, bringing light and laughter to the nurses here.
Chessed makes the world go around', in the Bikur Holim room a woman offered me an avocado.  May we all see the blessings that surround us as we rebuild the Temple.

Shlomo & Neshama Carlebach - The Ocean of Tears

Day by Day...

 Day by day, oh, dear Lord, three things I pray To see thee more clearly Love thee more dearly Follow thee more nearly, day by day ...

and to love with more grace...

Day by Day...

 Day by day, oh, dear Lord, three things I pray To see thee more clearly Love thee more dearly Follow thee more nearly, day by day ...

and to love with more grace...

Erev Shabbos Chazon

Lord, get me high, get me high, get me higher

its a few hours before candlelighting
there's so much I want to do
I sweep the floor, collecting the same dust that was there this morning
phone calls to make, clothes to put on
Its shabbat in Israel. Let the crying stop.

Let there be peace in our homes 
with our parents our children with our spouses
let there be peace let there be tranquility
let us slow down
to listen to our hearts
to merit tosee the vision of the 3rd Temple revealed to us.
May we experience true joy. Now. Amen