Sunday, February 10, 2013

Pep Talk: "Tikkun Olam"


Never before had gorging on a hot dog slathered in chili, cold slaw, cheddar cheese and onions, crunchy onion rings and a cold beer been so nutritious - for my soul.

That was the thought rumbling through this old jock’s noggin’ as I sat at Steve’s Snappin’ Dogs on Denver’s near east side and listened to a friend describe something he learned long ago.

Tikkun olam.

Attorney Ken Fellman was the buddy doing the educating. And to think, he bought lunch too! It was a Friday, late January, noontime in the Mile High City. It had also been a good week for Victory Productions in fulfilling its mission to encourage others to achieve goals and overcome challenges. Forgive me for starting the weekend celebration a tad early. I try to make that the exception rather than the rule, promise.

As we caught up on life, the former mayor of Arvada, Colorado, a northwest Denver suburb, was describing the foundation of his Jewish faith: Tikkun olam. A Hebrew phrase meaning, “heal the world.” Basically it states it’s our collective responsibility - you, me and everybody else - to heal, transform and repair the world.

That’s a big job.

A big job that starts with each and everyone of us and our little corner of the globe. We could make a conscious decision right now, in our sphere of influence, to focus on healing, transforming and repairing prickly issues - home, work and elsewhere, right?

The history of the phrase dates back to Isaac Luria, born, 1534, in Jerusalem. While still a child, the man credited with heavily influencing the Kaballah school of thought, lost his father and was raised by a rich uncle, a tax collector in Cairo, Egypt. At the tender age of 15, perhaps not so tender an age 500 years ago, the young man married a cousin. Because of his financial security, Luria didn’t work and continued studying under what were considered the best and brightest Jewish teachers, including rabbi scholars.

By the time he was 22, Luria had become a recluse. He retreated to the banks of the Nile, meditated constantly, rarely spoke and only visited with family on the Shabbat. There’s a few people in this world, my two kids and darling girlfriend among them, that probably wish your humble correspondent would adopt some of Luria’s behaviors - go away and leave us alone.

Healing the world ain’t an easy task. There’s a whole lot of bickering going on, always has been, about exactly how to accomplish what many would consider an impossible task. It seems from the daily news, perhaps, there’s many who want anything but peace and harmony to prevail.

The heck with those folks, let’s try anyway. Look around right now, where in our lives could we take steps toward healing fractures in relationships with family, friends and foes?

A recent Pep Talk spoke of the personal angst concerning a long-time friend and the sudden, and bewildering, collapse of a relationship this simple dude from Missouri thought would last a lifetime. I’d sure love a little tikkun olam to appear there. 

Each week on The Odd Couple  sports talk radio show we have a segment, “Excellent Moves” that showcases others performing good works. In my book, that’s healing the world. Kudos to the Denver Public Schools Transportation Department. Over the holidays, the transportation team came up with the cool idea to stuff a school bus full of winter apparel: coats, hats, gloves, socks and underwear to benefit the Denver Children’s Advocacy Center.

The non profit’s mission is to prevent abuse, strengthen families and restore childhoods. In short, healing and repairing.

DPS employees, from multiple departments, helped more than 100 district students and families stay warm through the winter months. Denver Public Schools Transportation Department, excellent move! Tikkun olam.

Each and every day there are tons of examples of healing and repair to exalt. Sadly, we don’t hear much about them since the media likes to dwell on the negative. We should focus more of the nightly news on examples of good works in our communities. Who knows, maybe the notoriety would have a residual effect and inspire others to act in similar fashion? I’m not saying ignore matters of public safety but really, some of the stories featured prominently leave me wondering, “Is that news?”

This week, wherever roaming, let’s make headlines with our devotion to tikkun olam. Never growing weary of doing good for others. Service above self. Practice random acts of kindness. Call it what you want. From any language, religion or region of the globe. The action required to accomplish this noble endeavor shares the same spirit. A spirit against which, there is no law: caring for others.

For when we care for others we can heal the world. Let’s do it this week, next week, forever!




18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am in fact delighted to glance at this website posts which contains plenty of helpful facts, thanks for providing
these kinds of information.

my web blog: buying a car with bad credit

Anonymous said...

I visit day-to-day a few websites and sites to read posts,
except this web site gives feature based posts.


Feel free to surf to my web blog - Natural Cleanse Weight Loss

Anonymous said...

I want to to thank you for this good read!! I certainly enjoyed every little bit of
it. I've got you book marked to check out new stuff you post…

My homepage; Diet Patch Review

Anonymous said...

Very nice article, exactly what I wanted to find.

Here is my weblog; Androsolve Reviews

Anonymous said...

I've learn some good stuff here. Certainly value bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how so much effort you put to make any such wonderful informative site.

my blog post ... Ultra Slim patch

Anonymous said...

Excellent way of describing, and fastidious article to take facts
about my presentation subject matter, which i am going to deliver in university.


Take a look at my webpage - Best Anti Aging Product

Anonymous said...

I know this website presents quality based posts and
additional data, is there any other web site which gives such stuff
in quality?

Feel free to surf to my blog post elevategfblog.com

Anonymous said...

Hi there to every one, the contents existing at this web
site are really amazing for people knowledge, well, keep
up the nice work fellows.

Also visit my webpage - Stem Cell Cream

Anonymous said...

It's remarkable for me to have a site, which is useful in favor of my experience. thanks admin

My web-site: Buy green coffee

Anonymous said...

I think that is among the most vital information for me.
And i'm glad reading your article. However wanna remark on few general issues, The site style is great, the articles is in reality excellent : D. Just right process, cheers

My weblog - Raspberry ketone Plus Reviews

Anonymous said...

It's hard to find educated people in this particular topic, but you seem like you know what you're talking about!
Thanks

Take a look at my web site :: Nuvocleanse

Anonymous said...

Whoa! This blog looks just like my old one! It's on a completely different subject but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Superb choice of colors!

My web-site Dietary supplement

Anonymous said...

Hi there to every body, it's my first visit of this blog; this web site carries awesome and in fact excellent material designed for readers.

Feel free to visit my blog post - Work form home

Anonymous said...

Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I'm impressed! Very useful information particularly the last part :) I deal with such info a lot. I used to be looking for this particular information for a long time. Thank you and best of luck.

Here is my web blog :: Rejuvenex reviews

Anonymous said...

Do you have a spam issue on this blog; I also am a blogger,
and I was wanting to know your situation; we have developed some nice practices and we are looking to swap strategies with others, why not shoot me an email
if interested.

Here is my webpage :: make cash online

Anonymous said...

After looking into a handful of the articles on your site, I really like your way of
blogging. I added it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back soon.
Take a look at my web site too and let me know what you think.



corexin

Anonymous said...

Hi it's me, I am also visiting this website regularly, this web page is in fact nice and the users are actually sharing fastidious thoughts.

My web site Vimax Free Trial

Anonymous said...

electronic cigarettes reviews, best electronic cigarettes, smokeless cigarettes, e cigarette, electronic cigarette, electronic cigarettes

 
facebook metwitter
linkd in

Hey Comeback Coach Copyright© 2009

About The Comeback Coach | Contact Us | Links | Privacy Statement