James Pyles's Blog, page 127

Quoting: Don’t Let Materialism Distract You

A man once said to the Chafetz Chaim, “Rabbi, I have just bought a lottery ticket. Could you please give me a blessing that I will win, since the money I acquire will enable me to study Torah with peace of mind.” The Chafetz Chaim gently blessed him, “May the Almighty help you study Torah […]

Quoting: Powering Up with Enthusiasm

Rabbi Simcha Zissel of Kelm (19th century Europe) wrote: “There is no comparison between doing something with enthusiasm and joy and doing it without enthusiasm and joy. If we would do everything with enthusiasm, there is no limit to the elevated levels we would reach. Enthusiasm generates power. A person with enthusiasm is able to […]

Quoting: Talking to the Little Child Within

We all have many positive messages stored in our mind since childhood. Counterproductive and limiting messages are stored, too. We may have outgrown many of them. but often, not all of them. Now, in the present, we have the ability to talk to the “little child” within, as it were. You can immerse your childhood […]

Blowing Bubbles

Kent Ingram had been chasing the hyperfold for decades. The first time he encountered it was in 1916 during the Battle of Jutland. The HMS Indefatigable exploded, German shells having penetrated her ammunition magazine, but instead of being thrown over the railing, he fell into what looked like a large, misshapen bubble…and found himself in […]

So That’s What Happened To Grandma

Lionel thought it was a strange place to put a mirror until he saw a piece of paper taped to it saying “Free.” Then the glass was a swirling black as if thousands of iron filings were being moved around by an unseen magnet. He gaped in awe as another image appeared. “Grandpa’s shed.” He […]

Quoting: Thanks for the Criticism

Be resolved for the next two weeks to thank anyone who criticizes you. Visualize yourself being able to do this with a sense of inner joy. Since you’re mentally prepared to do this, it will be much easier to implement. -from Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s Gateway to Self Knowledge, pp.184-6. I suppose this one is good […]

Another Troll Has Surfaced

Yeah, that’s a real comment from a troll on Fandango’s blog and it’s pretty shocking. I suppose stuff like this goes on all the time, but I don’t see a lot of this unless I deliberately go looking for it. After a brief Google search, I discovered you can report such comments to WordPress. You […]

Húxiān

Henry Dore ate lunch at the Hong Kong Clay Pot Restaurant in Chinatown everyday just to be near her. He didn’t know her name, and in fact, she was a complete stranger to him, but she was captivating in a way he couldn’t articulate, even to himself. He had first seen her when he was […]

Buying a Memory

“You’ve got to be kidding.” It was Martin’s first reaction to his wife Helen’s suggestion. “You want to buy this…this thing for our three-year-old granddaughter?” “It’s adorable.” “It’s ridiculous, and it’s made of porcelain. Couldn’t we get her a gift that won’t break when she drops it?” “But she’ll love it.” “She’ll love a lot […]

Quoting: Soften Criticism

If someone is critical of you in a harsh tone of voice, try telling them the following: “I appreciate your strong feelings about the matter, but I would appreciate the comments more if they were expressed more pleasantly.” From Rabbi Zelig Pliskin’s book Gateway to Self Knowledge, pp.184-6 Given all of those shrill voices in […]