Fridays with Manny

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WHAT IS TU BISHVAT?

You might not have heard about Tu BiShvat, even if you are Jewish. Nevertheless, this holiday signifies The New Year of the Trees, which appeared in the Jewish calendar on February 6th. The name of this holiday means that it occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat. Its history goes back two thousand years and brings to light how at that time, as it is now, there was a difference of opinion and disputes around the learned people.

The Talmud describes how at that time, rabbis were arguing about when four new years should be celebrated. What is remarkable for me is that trees were given such significance that it became one of the major holidays. When we lived in Israel, Tu BiShvat was celebrated by planting trees. It is known as the Israeli Arbor Day and is used as an example for the environmental awareness programs.

In North America starting in 1980, Tu BiShvat became known as Jewish “Earth Day”. I decided to write about it because of my love for trees, which I photograph all the time. These three images are blooming trees as a reminder that the spring is near.

Enjoy and Share with a Friend.

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Fridays with Many

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HOW TO EXPRESS LOVE

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I made a presentation over Zoom recently, to a group of business people, whom I knew very well (or so I thought). At the end, after I had told them about how I could assist their clients to find mortgage solutions, I expressed the feeling in my heart by telling them, “I love all of you”. After the meeting was over, I received a phone call from the leader of this group, telling me that I’m not supposed to talk about love in a business setting. He had a good point. It is not customary to express our emotions in public; nevertheless, we all carry love in our hearts, and I believe we should learn how to share our feelings.

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Many years ago I used to listen to audiotapes by Dr. Love, Leo Buscaglia, who was a professor at the University of Southern California, where he taught a course about love. I have learned that he was the first to state and promote the concept of humanity’s need to hug: “five to survive, eight to maintain, and twelve to thrive“. I decided to share this concept with you because very soon, on February 14th, you will have a great opportunity to express your love.

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I recently received an order from a friend who wanted to buy some of my Healing Images. In the meantime, he reached out to his office team with a message, complete with the link to TheHealingImages.com. That’s what he wrote:

Date: 02/01/2023
Subject: Awesome photography/artwork! Will bring up in meeting!  Valentine’s? Mother’s Day? Birthday? I love you? I got some for my mom and wife! Check this out…super cool! https://www.thehealingimages.com

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Above, you can see three out of five images that the friend of mine bought for his family – as gifts for the upcoming Valentine’s Day. There are much more for you to choose from.

Enjoy and Share with a Friend!

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Fridays with Manny

  

Footsteps On The Sand

If you are interested in the history of San Francisco, Gary Kamiya, the author of the bestselling book “Cool Gray City of Love: 49 Views of San Francisco” is your guide. 

Twice a month, in the San Francisco Chronicle, you can read his column “Portals of the Past”. On June 26th in the story, “How an intercultural couple in early San Francisco gained acceptance”, he writes about the events which happened on October 29, 1850. On that day, 16-year-old Ann Frances Moses, a daughter of a Mormon immigrant, married 20-year old Eustaquio Valencia, a member of one of the growing town’s prominent Californio families. 

The question might come to your mind, “Why would we care about a family who lived over 170 years ago?” Well, for a very simple reason. The couple was part of what San Francisco is all about, its people. They came here from all over the world and, as we are here now, blended in like sand on the beach. While we are living, we leave footsteps on the sand, and then the ocean washes it away, leaving just sand.

Enjoy and Share!

www.encounterspublishing.com