77% Weekly

Being loved  I thought it was going to be a much rougher day for Emmett than it was. I guess it proves that you can’t really predict how people are going to react and the importance of quality time together. More than that, this story reminds me of a quote by Rumi – “Your task […]

Lamppost logic A man encircles a lamppost over and over as a police woman approaches. “Sir, can I be of any assistance?” He explains that he lost his wallet, and they both search for some time. Finally, she asks, “Where did you last see it?” “In that dark alley.” “Why are you looking over here?”

A horse walks into a bar; the bartender says “Why the long face?”, and horse says, “I have cancer.” In our last cogent conversation, Michael asked me to give a eulogy at his funeral. And he asked me to start it with a joke. The aforementioned horse joke is not the one he wanted me to

HELLO, JEWS My four-year incarnation as a rabbi in the form most people would recognize began in 1997. I stood in front of 750-plus people to lead High Holy Day services at Temple Judea in Tarzana, California. This wealthy suburb of 40,000 named for the estate of Johnny Weissmuller, was once the farmland of the

Walk number one After dinner, before bed. A summer evening. Emmett and I are walking JJ around the block. We are chatting. About Minecraft and magic tricks. We are buddies. > Em, can you help me think something out? > Sure. >People always say that they wish their dog was trained like JJ. I pause. We

Spiritual Building Block: OFNR  EXPRESS TRAIN Alberta street. A sunny, late summer afternoon. Portlandia boutiques. A sticker shop. A used vinyl shop. A tea and kombucha shop. I find a spot for our 2003 Odyssey and we start walking. I quickly turn back from Jane and the kids to close the stuck, driver’s-side, now non-automatic

“You need to give me an overview of which way we are going.” Jane is driving. I am crocheting yet another hat in the seat next to her. Driving makes her feel a little more secure and in control. There are a few sermons in this. About perceived control. About knowing where we are going.

A NOTE FROM THE FUTURE: Hi. This is Rabbi Brian in 2019. August.  The article below was written in 2014. It’s wonderful. But, not how I’m thinking today. The difference is… THE 6th LOVE LANGUAGE There is another love language — fidelity, faithfulness, doing the right thing. When Jane follows through on a commitment, it’s

MORE Thoughts about forgiveness Last week, I sent an article about forgiveness–imploring you to forgive people for their transgressions. This week, I wanted to follow-up and share responses with you. Bob S. During my 51-year career, I was often asked, “Bob, how do you know so much?” My reply was always, “Because I have made

Making Mistakes “What does it feel like when you make a mistake?” It’s a question that Kathryn Schulz asks people. She’s an expert in mistakes. I imagine many of us are experts in making mistakes. She is an expert is what mistakes are. https://www.harpercollins.com/9780061176050 and TED.   What making mistakes feels like Schulz discovered that