Parshat 'Matot-Masai' - "The Peace and Love Tour"

This shu-shine is dedicated to everyone out there who brings good vibes and love and respect-for-others out into the world.  With a special shout-out to my wife, Yael, who gives me the the energy and centeredness to shine my own light.  And major shout-out to all those at PHISHalom SPAC!  WELCOME!!  This one's for you…

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There are so many people in the world.  And everyone has a story.  

We meet people in a moment within the story of their lives.  We judge them for their behavior in that moment.  And we forget that the story is so much deeper.

It is so easy to disagree with other people.  It is so easy to think everyone else is an idiot, and that I am always right.  But it is so much deeper to get to know people; to believe in people; to look beyond the surface and find the inside places where we all connect.

It's true – I don't need to love every person in the world.  But I shouldn't ever be in a place where I hate anyone, or think that any person has a need to hate someone else.

More than anything else in the world right now, the world needs people who can become bridges.  Everyone wants to connect.  No-one wants to be alone.  And there is too much loneliness.  And sometimes, sometimes — it's hard to say – but sometimes the loneliest person might be living right next to me in my home.  Or it might even be me.

The best thing about being parched with thirst, is the readiness to drink with real enthusiasm.  The best thing about how thirsty the world is for real connections and real kindness and real friendship, is that everyone's gates are open for someone to reach out to them.

Don't be afraid to be a bridge.  Don't be afraid to smile at a stranger.  Don't be afraid to wish someone a good day, and actually stop for a moment and look them in the eye as you say it.

Look deeper at the people you meet.  Look deeper at your spouse, your best friend, your brother and your sister.  Look deeper at the person next to you.  Maybe they are not having their best moment just now.  But life is so much deeper than that.

Can you be the bridge that creates the connection?

Attached please find a Shu-Shine for the Torah portion of 'Matot-Masai' - "The Peace and Love Tour"

May we each be blessed to see the beauty in all those around us, and to find the gift of creating connections and healing the breaks that keep people apart.

With Love and a Smile,

~Shu