We Plan, God Laughs: What to Do When Life Hits You Over the Head

by Sherre Hirsch

The old Yiddish proverb, “We plan, God laughs,” expresses a truth everyone can relate to. At every stage of life we make plans, setting out where we want to go and imagining what we will be like when we have “arrived.” But things have a way of turning out not quite as we hoped or expected.

In WE PLAN, GOD LAUGHS, Sherre Hirsch argues that too often our plans are limited to ones we think up at bedtime, or are devised by our parents, or by what looks good on a résumé. Addressing serious spiritual issues, Hirsch takes readers through ten basics steps for formulating a plan that reflects who we are now and who we want to be—a plan that is alive, organic, and in sync with God.

Hirsch teaches the importance of letting go and recognizing that even the most ordinary life is extraordinary in the eyes of God. She makes no foolish promise that life will turn out as we plan, but shows that with hope, faith, and belief, we can change our lives for the better and make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Genres: Nonfiction, Judaism, Jewish, Religion

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Rabbi Sherre Hirsch is the spiritual life consultant for Canyon Ranch Properties where she serves as a speaker, teacher and retreat facilitator. She is also a highly sought-after inspirational speaker who has addressed audiences ranging from the United Jewish Federation to Thompson Reuters. She frequently appears in national media as an expert in her field. Her appearances range from the Today Show, ABC News, Extra, PBS and more. Visit her at www.SherreHirsch.com or follow her on twitter @sherrehirsch.

Reviews

[Dahiana Tejada]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved reading Hirsch's anecdotes of her own experiences, how we re-imagine God and how we can do our part to be the best versions of self we can be. The book also gives nice background on Judaism beliefs and traditions.

[manka]

Maminka mi dala k Vánocům něco, co nelze nazvat jinak než self-help kniha... kdyby na konci první kapitoly nestálo: „Už jen proto, že čtete tyto řádky, se na vás Bůh usmívá.“, asi by měla větší potenciál mi pomoct. (Pro dokreslení situace, jsem přesvědčený agnostik z hluboce věřící (katolické) rodiny.) Maminčinou motivací dát mi tuhle knihu byl... fakt, že se můj život rozhodně nevyvíjí podle mých představ. Přišlo jí to vtipné. Což je.

Když vezmu v úvahu, že jsem všechno možné, jen ne cílová skupina téhle knihy, musím říct, že to nebylo špatné čtení. Jednak mne fascinuje víra v boha (Boha, chcete-li), jednak spousta rad, které kniha obsahuje, může fungovat, i když člověk boha z celé rovnice jaksi vynechá. Ne, že by pro mne obsah byl kdovíjak objevný, ale v první polovině knihy jsem to čekala horší.

[Michelle Spiron]

Great Book! Highly recommed it! A keeper not just a "loaner" from the library...
Happy Reading!

[Laura Hancock]

I have been in a spiritual funk, a darkness of the soul, for four years. This book has started to lift me out of it. Also I feel like Hirsch’s writing voice is so positive and sweet and motherly. Yet, she’s able to embrace complexity of the modern world. Nothing like I felt with most of the women spiritual figures growing up, who either were naive “Jesus loves you!” Or harsh, “God knows all your thoughts.”

[Janice]

I read this book, first of all, because of the "funny but true" title! Secondly, I had never read anything from a female rabbi. I hate to say that I didn't even know that it was allowed. So reading this somewhat short, interesting book should have something that would appeal to just about anyone, with jewels of thoughts, inspiration and insights, especially if your dreams "go against the grain" of typical expectations!

[Simone]

Milé. Pěkný vhled do židovské tradice.
Jen si z toho nic nového neodnáším.

[Zuzana]

Tuto knihu som si vybrala, lebo ma originalny a zabavny nazov. Je to lahke a rychle citanie. Kniha obsahuje otazky, nad ktorymi sa mozete zamysliet.

[Brian Sheets]

Just the book title alone will make you smile. The author has an engaging writing style that makes you keep turning the pages. If you need a book to help you put life into perspective, pick this one up.

[Bruce]

This was a very good book about how to live life with God not as a puppet-master nor as an uninterested observer, but as a partner who is intimately involved with us yet allows us our own space. Since it is written by a Rabbi (yes, the rabbi is a she, one of only a dozen in modern history), there were some perspectives that were new to me or I struggled with, but that was good also. She talks about the "divine spark" in each of our lives and how intends for us to use that "spark" to recreate our world. Throughout the book are stories from her life and others. I don't know that it was the best book I've read on the subject (this may be because of the different perspective), but it was a very good one. And I recommend it to others interested in the subject.

[Denise]

Ok it may be your typical how to explore your inner self and figure things out, but it is the right book for me right now. And if I wasn't feeling rushed because I needed to return it to the library, I would have taken it a bit more seriously and done the exercises at the end of each section. the author is a rabbi and uses Jewish traditions and readings for the Torah to explain each of the ten points to get God to not laugh when you make plans. Well, ok he still might laugh, but atleast I'll be prepared. I will be rereading this soon.

[Tracey Lane]

The life altering events that happened in the various lives of the people she mentioned in the book are invaluable. I think there should be an entire book dedicated to thousands of moments when people realize their lives will change forever. It's so easy to go through life thinking everything will go well until a phone call.... I loved reflecting on my own life and the possible future interruptions because I hardly ever considered such interruptions before. I feel I'm more prepared for some unknown event.

[Tracy Aiello]

Hirsch offers a wonderful collection of stories of life gone awry, with an inspirational "how to". I've written a full review at:

[Wellington]

A simply sparkling book. It's funny I don't remember a single of the ten steps but I do know she made an impression on me.

[Gayle]

Makes me want to change my faith. Really enjoyed this one. Very inspirational.

[Karen]

Didn't like the flow of the book and didn't really learn anything new.

[Jen]

Good to know God's not laughing at us.... exactly.

[Laurie]

Lady Rabbi solves life.

[Amy]

I enjoyed this book quite a bit, especially the first 4 chapters. It was exactly what I was needing to hear and not what I was getting in church.

[girl writing]

Enjoyable quick read that felt like a conversation with the author. Some good ideas about approaching life productively and spiritually.

[Nikki]

Not quite what I expected. Thought I would get more out of it, but left me wanting something more.