Dear human,
BS’D
Shalom!
How are you!?
(Smiling is up to you, though)
(go ahead & smile! )
Try it!
Great!
( Now do it again! I dare you!).
Okay, don’t!
So, I turned 35, (Happy Birthday to me) and naturally, the wonderful merry-go-round in my head decided to start spinning its greatest hits: the “Life Report Card” shuffle. Same whispers of am I where I should be? Have I done enough? What even is enough? Of course, the problem with trying to grade myself these days is that I’m getting quite senile in my old age. Every day feels like a year, and every year feels like a second. Which is to say, I can’t quite tell if I’m sprinting through life or just sitting here watching the week crawl till shabbos.
So I wanted to share a couple of things these years have taught me, lets go with 8 helpful lessons in the top 1000 that you hopefully learn in this long short life, or at least I am grateful that I am learning in mine.
Gratitude Is a Moving Target:
Living the answer to your past prayers doesn’t automatically make you a gratitude guru. Turns out, there’s always more to hope and pray for. Who knew?The Loops Are a Feature, Not a Bug:
Life is basically one giant spinny loop. Just when you think you’ve arrived, surprise! The journey shifts gears.Delightful, isn’t it? (Or so I tell myself.)
Finality Is an Illusion:
Turning 35 feels like closing a big, dramatic chapter—until you realize it’s actually Chapter One of a brand-new book. The plot twist? It’s still you
4. Action Doesn’t Wait for Certainty:
That deeper drumbeat calling you to step forward? It’s not going to get quieter. Explore what’s next with courage, clarity, and just the right amount of mystery. Bonus: you don’t have to figure it out alone.
5. Hineini Is the Ultimate Mantra:
Avraham said it at his toughest moment, Yaakov said it before a journey into the unknown, and Moshe said it when stepping up to lead. Turns out, “Here I am” works pretty well for modern life, too.
6.
Fear and Faith Are Roommates:
Walking the line between fear and faith? It’s not graceful, but it’s where all the good stuff happens. Just take it one wobbly breath at a time.
7. Discipline and Creativity Are Besties:
You’ll need them both—along with strength and humility—to make life meaningful. And yes, they all take turns being the annoying overachiever in the group.
8. Messy Is the New Perfect:
Showing up doesn’t mean you’ve got it all together. It means you’re willing to face the mess with courage and humor. Turns out, that’s the only grade that matters. (Ice bath anyone?)
No, these are not the top lessons, though they are safely in my top 1000, a gift I am learning this year is that things are more attainable when I make them accessible.
SO!
Yes! There is a workshop happening in February!
and just to make this an integrative experience here are 3 of those lessons
Gratitude Is a Moving Target: Life is full of blessings, but let’s be honest—sometimes it’s easier to feel grateful when you’re eating delicious food in Morristown.
Finality Is an Illusion: Think you’re at the end of the road? Plot twist—it’s a roundabout! Come learn how to navigate it (and maybe even enjoy the ride).
Messy Lives Need Breaks: Overachieving on life lately? Put down the Pinterest-perfect plans and take a breather—we promise it’ll involve real breakthroughs, actual breathwork, and snacks to keep it all deliciously real. Bring your mess; we’ve got you covered.
I could go on...
though like I said "Attainable and accessible growth"***
Dates: February 20–23
Location: Morristown, NJ
Pricing: Thoughtfully designed for accessibility, because growth should never break the bank.
That's it!
I hope you enjoyed, and maybe grinned.
Have a great day and go make someone smile. :)
Just because you can!
Moshe Haim
P.S. Trust is a journey, not a destination. Be patient, dear ones.
P.P.S. Healing and self-discovery continues. If you feel the call to deepen this work, to truly step into the light of your own being, I invite you to join us at the next Hineini Retreat. It’s a sacred space where these shadows can be fully explored, embraced, and transformed. Come, be a part of a community that supports you in this dance of reclamation and renewal. You deserve it.
A friend of mine sent this with Next time you think about Shooda Coulda.. look at this and smile!