This is a statue that I see daily on my walk to class. Funny thing is, several people who I spoke to about it hadn't even noticed it, even though it is right there. I finally went up to see what was written about it and there wasn't anything; however I did see the word Shalom written several times on its trunk and roots. So maybe it's the tree of life, but I decided to me its the tree of peace.The days are getting shorter here and as my days in Israel dwindle down, I'm reminded of so many things I've become aware of and learned. These are just a few of those things and in no particular order....
1. Staying present
The more present I am, the more I appreciate where I am and who I'm with.
2. My brain really works.
I have been so concerned with my memory since my mom had TIA's and then developed Alzheimer's. This month I have grown by leaps and bounds and in so many ways. But best of all, I know that I am totally and mentally right on target.
3. Fulfilling a dream is awesome.
I won't stop dreaming of what I want in life; I just need to remember to believe in it too.
4. Sometimes it has to be uncomfortable in order for things to change but change can bring wonderful and gratifying rewards.
5. The 25 year old playful woman inside me is still alive!
6. The wealth of wisdom from my years makes it worth getting older.
7. I am exactly where I should be.
8. There are so many Jews in so many places of the world who don't look Jewish, or not how I think Jewish people look!
9. Seeing and hearing from people back home brings me great emotional satisfaction, along with feelings of love and gratitude.
10. There's no place like home but I sure did learn a lot by leaving it for a short while. Or maybe it was the act of leaving my comfort zone. Either way, it was really worth it.
One of my workout friends once told us about a man she met who when she asked how he was, he replied "This is one of the best days of my life". When she asked why, he said there was no special reason. How beautiful is that?
Today, simply is, one of the best days of my life.
