Tanka Very Much

On Thanksgiving, as well as on other days, I traded off with a friend - each of us listing something we were grateful for. Rav Chaim Shmuelewitz says that being alive is like winning a lottery. he adds that the things we often get upset about are comparable to getting frustrated over a scratch we get while jumping for joy over having just won millions of dollars.

Studies have shown that paraplegics (some time after their accident) - rachmana litzlan - when compared as a group to people with all of their limbs, have the same ratio of happy and unhappy people.

I sit in a beautiful building, in private space, listening to music, breathing, and typing. Today's a day in which I have four classes. I also did two guidance periods. I prepped a bit, ate, drank, prayed. I walked to my ride and got to work on time and in one piece, soon I will head home. I exchanged kind words with many students. I thank G-d.

~

He held back today

His father lived through illness

He prepared a speech

Then he remembered her dad

Here one second, "too soon gone."

~

Asking for passes

In different languages

With our lives, we ask

Friend: accept me with my flaws

G-d: grant me another day

~

We make many turns

Quickly, without noticing

By we, I mean you

Though I also have blind spots

We each miss things our own way

~

And now I must look

Superstition in her eye

Sit on memories

Stare down this music, this chair

Breathe in and breathe out, and live

~