AM Inspiration

de·pend·ence <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/audio.html/lunaWAV/D01/D0188400" target="_blank"><img src="http://sp.dictionary.com/dictstatic/g/d/speaker.gif" border="0" alt="dependance pronunciation" /></a>   / dɪˈpɛn dəns / Show Spelled [ dih- pen -d uh ns ]     noun 1. the state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or the like.     2. reliance; confidence; trust: Her complete reliability earned her our dependence. 3. an object   of reliance or trust. 4. the state of being conditional or contingent on something, as through a natural or logical sequence: the dependence of an effect upon a cause.   5. the state of being psychologically or physiologically dependent   on a drug after a prolonged period of use. We all have people i

Its the end of the year.  Its that time when some days are eerily quiet and some days and insanely chaotic.  Finals are done, papers turned in, and books put away.  Its time to sleep. Its time to put the coffee back on the shelf.  I never thought the semester would finish. I never thought it could possibly be as difficult as it was.  There were so many moments when i thought there was no way i was going to finish. So many times i was plagued with self doubt. So many times i wondered if i may the right choice.  Every test was accompanied with a whispered prayer.  Chasdei Hashem. I passed the semester. I have set myself up for another semester of this strange form of torture.But not everyone in my class was so blessed.  So many hours spent studying. How many gallons of coffee drunk in effort to stay awake. How many sleepless nights?How many family functions missed? How many friends estranged...all for what? Nothing to show for it.  The number of peopl

When it comes to online chatting there are two kinds of people: People who type up the whole megilla out and then press enter  and then there are people who send what they say as they say it. Which category do you fall in and why do you choose that method?

Tis the season With the holidays coming up, it seems that the subways are experiencing an overload of acts. I rarely see a "show" on the way to school. Today, I saw two. I don't usually feel particularly sympathetic to these people. Today, it was different. Today I felt bad for the people who came on. First came this older gentleman with his violin. He played beautifully. It was so sad. When these teenagers come on and they put on a cool dance show, I don't feel bad for them. In my mind, they are just kids trying to make some extra cash which i can understand but its not sad. But when an older man is coming on to the subway playing for a few bucks...that pulls at my heartstrings. I wonder what happened in his life that he has to deign to this behavior. Most men his age are hopefully enjoying retirement. But there he is, standing on the subway, with his threadbare suit playing a violin that itself could not have been cheap, trying to pay for dinner. It definite

Are idealists or realists  greater contributors to society? this was one of the SAT essay questions this year..what are your thoughts?

The last post got me thinking about the heart on a different level.  We often refer to the heart as the source of our emotions, our spirituality. In essence it is our life source on so many levels.  A defective heart has catastrophic ramifications. Someone who is emotionally stunted will have difficulty with relationships. A spiritually defective heart will have a hard time connecting to G-d, to one's own spirituality. No one needs me to go into the myriad of problems that come about for a person that has a physical defect.  We all do things to make sure we keep "heart healthy." We eat our cheerios, exercise. We carefully guard who we let in and who we don't. Spiritually, the Torah gives us guidelines. What will keep our hearts healthy. Clearly, keeping the mitzvos all 613 of them, maintain the strength of our heart, it allows for us to maintain a relationship with G-d. But there are certain mitzvos we know that define us as Jews. Certain mitzvos, if w

I am strong, but hearts are easy to break. I heard this line recently and I feel like it pretty much summarizes me. Its not secret that I like being strong. I work on my biceps. I push myself. Strength is important to me. And not just physical strength. I like to thing that I have strength in my principles and beliefs. I hope that I am a strong friend to those who depend on me. Yet, when it comes to my heart...that's a different story. The heartbreak does not refer to the one and done dates. Not even the three and done. When it comes to dating I can be very cynical despite the fact that I am a hopeless romantic. Ironic I know. I don't let them in, because with guys.. you just never know. The likelihood that this relationship is going to last is pretty slim. So I don't worry about my heart being broken then, because I am strong and I will not let it. The issue arises when it comes to friends. The likelihood that a friendship is going to last is tenfold to that of a da

I like making my own choices.  I like being in control of my life.  I like calling the shots  I feel powerless  and I don't like it Recently I had to make a difficult decision. But before I could even make the choice, it was made for me. It devastated me. The truth is I probably would have come to the same conclusion and ultimately made the right choice. But the opportunity was stolen from me. It is important to make your own mistakes.The most powerful lessons are the ones we bring upon ourselves. I have had people give me advice and they always say "learn from my mistakes, so you don't make them also." Its very kind. I appreciate the advice. But the message does not resonate with me as well as when I make the mistake. My parents told me repeatedly not to speed...it never sunk in. I got a ticket. Now I am terrified to go more than ten miles over. Decisions are ours to make. Mistakes are ours to make. They are a rite of passage. We would never grow or ch