James Pyles's Blog, page 117

Quoting: Pray to Overcome Sadness

Use prayer to help overcome sadness. Talk to the Almighty in your own language. Tell Him how awful you feel. Ask Him for the strength to cope with your present difficulties, and to grow from them. -from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s “Gateway to Happiness,” p.180

Brothers

“One for sorrow, two for mirth.” Tom raised his flagon of ale at the bar, smiling at his brother. “Aye, brother. Here’s to mirth.” Chris raised his as well and clumsily pressed the two together. Then they both drained their drinks by half and slammed them down on the counter before them. Tom leaned over […]

Quoting: Bring It Home

The mitzvah to develop our character is the mitzvah to “walk in the ways of our Creator.” Viewing events and situations in this light will elevate the mundane, for in the ultimate view of life nothing is mundane. Every moment presents its unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. By acting and reacting in ways that are kind, compassionate, […]

She Rides a Pale Horse

Ed slowed his stock horse as he approached the bleached cow’s skull. “Easy there, Chester. Let’s have a look.” The aging rancher stiffly swung a leg over his mount, planted it on the grassy field, and then slipped the other booted foot out of the stirrup. He squared himself on the ground, hitched up his […]

Quoting: Radiate Friendliness

I remember walking with my father to his synagogue in East Baltimore on Shabbat. The neighborhood was a tough one. There weren’t very many individuals with yarmulkes, and I would feel a bit uncomfortable. But my father kept telling me not to be self-conscious. He radiated self-confidence and friendliness. People of all races would ask […]

Scorned

This house was my prison for seven centuries, ever since Lord Jaime Caruthers incarcerated me here. Then, the will of the Caruthers clan was invincible. But long centuries passed, and the Caruthers descendants became weak, while the stone and mortar slowly crumbled. The last Caruthers died last month, and with him, the fading spell that […]

Quoting: Appropriate Sadness

While it is theoretically possible to develop an attitude to totally prevent sadness, the Jewish view is there are times when such feelings are appropriate. For example, we have an obligation to cry over the death of another person. Also, we should care enough about potential suffering to pray that it will not come. And […]

Death Wish

“Hey, Sam.” “Hey, Death. How’s it hanging?” “Same old, same old. You know how it goes.” “Not me. What do I know about being Death?” “Yeah. Guess you’ve got a point. Want a smoke?” “Nah. I got what I want right here.” The twenty-two year old lifted a gallon jug of Jack Daniels to his […]

Quoting: Courageous Progress

Choose to focus on the progress you are making. You have infinitely more courage now than you did when you were born. Since each courageous act makes you a more courageous person, by focusing on progress, you will almost always feel that you are increasing your level of courage. This perspective will give you the […]

Quoting: Expand Your Consciousness

When you connect with the Creator, you will expand your consciousness of infinity and eternity. You will plug into the source of all serenity. Each time you make a blessing, or pray, or perform a good deed, you will be connecting with your love for your Father, your King, Creator and Sustainer of the universe. […]