My Avoda

Up and away for life! be fleet!-
The frost-king ties my fumbling feet,
Sings in my ears, my hands are stones,
Curdles the blood to the marble bones,
Tugs at the heart-strings, numbs the sense,
And hems in life with narrowing fence.
Well, in this broad bed lie and sleep,-
The punctual stars will vigil keep,-
Embalmed by purifying cold;
The winds shall sing their dead-march old,
The snow is no ignoble shroud,
The moon thy mourner, and the cloud

 

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

 

Tonight wasn't that cold but it WAS cold. I got lost and found myself walking and walking and walking until I reached my destination. When it's cold and you get lost and never know when you are going to reach your destination - it gets colder than it actually is.

 

I have been endowed with a very poor sense of direction and no car and only sometimes am fortunate enough to find a ride. This results in many adventures - not all of which are enjoyable.

 

I must admit. I am a simcha-dike Yid but tonight as I was circling around and thinking of certain difficulties I am facing - I felt very sad. I thought of crying but my rational side took over and said "Crying won't get you there any quicker". The brain can be colder than any winter freeze.

 

So I decided that my avoda now is to be bi-simcha regardless of the circumstances.

If you have ever heard me give a public shiur you know how we have to conclude. Please join me.

2 3 4 - IVVVVDUUUUU ESSSSS HASHEEEEEMMM BI-SIIIIMCHAA  IVDUUUUUU ESSSSS HASHEM BI-SIMCHA, BO-UUUU LIFANAV BIRNANA LIFANAV BIRNANA!!!!!!!