In honor of my parents, two special people who appreciate and remember the small things, Mazal Tov! For the "Silver" wedding anniversary, may you enjoy many more happy years together.
A mother's resolution: I will always protect the rights of my children, especially their right to remain silent.
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"Sacrifices" is the main topic of our Parshah "Vayikra", and the Chasidic masters have taught, that the greatest sacrifices are from within man.
The more I observe myself and the world around me, I have come to realize, that it is easier to make huge changes in ones lifestyle, than to make small ones.
Let's study the nature of relationships as an example. We find, that commitments like marriage or bringing a child into this world, which by any stretch of imagination are huge undertakings, are by the majority of us are 'a given'. People from every walk of life, stride straight into these huge life altering events, without looking back.
However, when it comes to small sacrifices, like 'sacrificing' just five minutes a day to the same child/spouse he/she so wholeheartedly decided "to care and nurture for the rest of my life", suddenly it's a burden, a nuisance.
The same 'phenomenon' can be found in our relationship with G-d. Many of us especially those who have grown up in observant homes, almost automatically commit ourselves to never eat a McDonalds French-fries even once, to not work one day a week, and pray everyday, three times a day FOREVER!
Huge sacrifices, no?
Yet when expected to utilize the very same time designated for prayer, to pray with emotion and sincerity, and not to just mumble the text and go through the motions out of habit; all of a sudden we seem to fall from our high standards.
Why? Where is the hero who never missed a day of Teffilin? Where is that holy "give-my-life-away" individual, who sports a beard and hat and spends two plus hours a day in the synagogue instead of socializing? Why can't he concentrate of his prayers?
True, big commitments are commendable. But 'greatness' is found in the small steps, those which don't make us feel like an heroic "prince in shiny armor", and (for some reason) don't make us feel overly 'guilty' when avoided or transgressed.
Take this smart mother's resolution to heart: I will be a good, fair and loving parent to my children. I will provide them with enriching experiences and opportunities. I will give them a solid foundation on which to build a useful life. After all, they may eventually be responsible for choosing a nursing home for me to live out my final days.
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