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Good afternoon, Chaverim/Chaverot, 

I had a lovely meeting yesterday with the “Mussettes”, my chevruta with whom I have studied and (tried to) live my Mussar practice for the past 9 years.  As we always do, we spent some time talking about what was going on in each others’ lives and what was going on in our world. As it happened, yesterday was Yom haShoah.  So, the events that are presently happening in both Europe and here at home, and their implications for the future of our children and grandchildren, seemed particularly terrifying, especially for my chevruta who is the child of Holocaust survivors.  

Needless to say, we did a fair amount  of lamenting and handwringing and complaining, but ultimately concluded, as we often do, that all we can do is the best we can to live lives of kindness and love and “holiness” and hope that what we are putting out in the world will overcome the fear and hate that seems to be spreading everywhere.

So, this quote spoke to me this morning when I went looking for a quote to share with you today…  

Here is today’s Gratitude Thought in the Midst of a Pandemic:

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, 
a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, 
all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

Leo Buscaglia

Some days it is very hard to overcome the despair that can descend when we read, watch and listen to the relentlessly “bad news” — day in and day out (Yes, I know, I need to spend a LOT less time watching the news!). And it can be overwhelming to want to do something, to make an impact, to find a way to make things even a little bit better…and not to know what to do besides making yet another donation to the many amazing organizations that actually ARE doing something.  Donations are wonderful and essential to be sure, but I often feel that I need to do something more.  And, we can.  Maybe not on the other side of the world, maybe not even across our own country or our own city.  But, as Mr. Buscaglia reminds us, we must not “underestimate” the tremendous “power” each one of us has…in our smiles, in the simple acts of kindness and caring that each of us can all do anytime, anywhere.  The power to “turn a life around” is no small thing….and, let us not forget, the Talmud says, “Whoever saves a single life, it is considered to have saved the entire world.”      

Shabbat Shalom to all,
Marci