Fridays with Manny

  

How to Get Out From a Narrow Place

At sundown tomorrow, Saturday, March 27, Jews in all parts of the world are going to celebrate the first night of Passover; which, according to Orthodox Judaism, took place in 1312 BCE. In the spring of that year, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, after living there for 215 years (just for comparison, the United States is celebrating its 245th birthday this year). 

In Hebrew, Egypt is called Mitzrayim, which literally means narrow place. The place where thousands of Israelites were trapped to serve their Egyptian masters as slaves. Though thousands of years passed, the slave mentality is still with us. It is very difficult to get out from the narrow place in our minds because of perception, memories, habits, and even political influences. 

The Story of Exodus, which is repeated year after year during the Passover Seder (which means order), serves as a reminder that to feel free is not easy, even when God is trying to help us. Sometimes when you are in a narrow space, just read one of the jokes in “42 Encounters with Laughter” or look at the beautiful flowers.

Enjoy and Share with a Friend!

www.encounterspublishing.com

Fridays with Manny

  

Spring Is Back

I did not have to look at the calendar to find out that tomorrow, March 20th, is the first day of spring. The flowers in our garden informed me about it.

Spring of 2021 is not only bringing flowers; but also, a hope that soon our lives will get back to normal. However, for most people it cannot be normal in the same way as it was in the spring of 2020. Flowers were there as well, but a Coronavirus, which under the microscope looked like a flower, changed everyone’s lives all over the world. Suddenly, we could feel other people’s pain and suffering. We had to pray not only for ourselves, but for others as well. At the same time, last year gave many people the opportunity to evaluate their lives and perhaps even change their old “normal” ways of living.

While you are still waiting for a vaccine, for schools and businesses to re-open, and to be able to remove your face masks, you can still go out and enjoy beautiful flowers, like these three images of blooming magnolias.

Enjoy and Share with Friends.

www.encounterspublishing.com

Fridays with Manny

  

Vosoma Marta

When I was growing up in Riga, Latvia, one of the important holidays was Women’s Day, which was called by its date March 8th, Vosmovo Marta in Russian. It was a good excuse for men to drink vodka while toasting to women’s health.

Only after coming to the United States, I found out that this is known as International Women’s Day, and is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. It was organized by the Socialist Party of America in New York City on February 28th, 1909. After the Russian Revolution in 1917, March 8th became a national holiday. The Feminist movement adopted it in 1967 and then the United Nations began celebrating the day in 1997.

Similarly to Valentine’s Day, some women are receiving boxes of chocolates and flowers. Since I celebrate Women’s Day every day including today, Friday March 12th, I present you with my three bouquets of flowers.

Enjoy and Share!

www.encounterspublishing.com

Fridays with Manny

  

Laughter and “The Silent Killer”

Have you heard about Dr. Steven Gundry, the Founder of Center for Restorative Medicine? His new book, “The Energy Paradox” is going to be available this coming March.

A friend sent me a note recently, from Dr. Gundry, which I am going to quote.

“In the United States, heart disease, also known as “the silent killer”, is the leading cause of death for both men and women. But I have good news for you – a simple and fun way to help reduce your risk of developing this dreadful health problem is LAUGHTER!”

You know that old saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”, right? Well, it applies to heart health as well. And it helps on many levels. But laughing works especially well for dealing with stress. So in a funny twist, new research is showing one solution to the hazards of stress on your heart is… to simply laugh!”

And if you need help, just read one of the jokes in “42 Encounters with Laughter”. I hope that these three dancing flowers will bring smile to your face, which is an easy way to laughter.

Enjoy and Share with A Friend.

Fridays with Manny

  

Meaning of Life

I recently I re-read one of the photography books in my library titled, “Meaning of Life”, published by “LIFE” magazine. The book is the product of 300 thoughtful people from different walks of life; the words complemented by photographs from 127 of the world’s top photographers. What amazed me was how the answers from 173 poets and scientists, philosophers and everyday sages on the street differ. One of them is a comment from Frank Donotrio, a barber. “I have been asking why I’m here most of my life. If there is a purpose, I don’t care anymore. I’m seventy-four. I am on my way out. Let the young people learn the hard way, like I did. No one ever told me anything.”

Since I am also 74 years young, I can relate to Mr. Donotrio’s sentiments; however, if I would be asked this question, my answer would be, “The meaning of life is to learn, experience life and to share myself with others, especially young people”. One of the ways I’m doing this is by posting my weekly essays in “Fridays with Manny”. Another way is through publishing my photo-story books, like “42 Encounters with Laughter”. Sometimes jokes and laughter can be a good way to figure out the meaning of life. And yet another way is just to enjoy each day, and seek beauty, like these images of flowers.

Enjoy and Share with a Friend.

Share with a Friend!