Article in The Times of Israel by Andy Blumenthal on seeing the good in your life every single day.

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THE BLOGS
Andy Blumenthal
Sometimes, it’s so easy to get caught up in all the horrible things that are
happening around us in the world.
Just this last week, the murder of the 11 Jews in Pittsburgh. Then there is the
caravan of immigrants coming up to the border and the military being called
out. Of course, there is the endless political bickering and polarization
Seeing The Good In Life

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underscored again with the upcoming midterm elections. Further, to top it off, I
read that North Korea is threatening to restart their nuclear program if they
don’t start receiving some sanctions relief. The list goes on and it just seems
like there is always something.
But after synagogue services today, we sat at the Kiddish with a lovely couple,
and the lady took the opportunity to go around the table and ask each person:
“What good thing happened to you this week?” I really appreciated the idea of
focusing on the good and the miracles we live through every day rather than the
bad things. It was interesting though that people seemed to have trouble saying
something really positive from their week. In truth, they seemed more
enveloped in the problems of the times rather than the opportunities that each
day brings.
The speaker in synagogue today reminded us that despite what sometimes
seems like so much bad around us and in the world, like with the massacre in
Pittsburgh last Shabbat, there are still good people out there. He took the
moment to tell us about a card and flowers that someone left at the synagogue
before Shabbat. In the card, this person who was a non-Jew, wrote about their
compassion for the victims and their solidarity with us in what happened.
Truly, despite all the evil, there does always shines a light of good in this world.
Just like after the Holocaust where six million of our brothers and sisters were
murdered, there arose the survivors to rebuild our nation in the holy land of
Israel after 2,000 years of exile. Moreover, on a personal level this week, I had a
medical procedure of my own, and even though it was difficult looking back on
my week, I can definitely appreciate the good that happened to me coming
through it under G-d’s watchful eyes and merciful hands.
Yes, life is challenging and it’s often hard to lift our heads up above the
problems and challenges of each day, but if you ask yourself to name even just
one good thing that happened to you, I am certain you can find that light in

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Blumenthal is business and technology leader who writes frequently about Jewish life, culture,
and security. All opinions are his own.
your life. Finally, I believe that with the appreciation of the good in each day
and every week will come the faith and hope in the future where even greater
things can, and please G-d will, happen for all of us.