Life is simple. It is just not easy.
Why I named my blog ’“Confessions of a Cowtown Culturalist.” My blog is an attempt at providing observations that are truthful, at least to me. The hope is that writing will also provide clarity. A question that I find myself asking frequently: am I more concerned with the sanctimonious versus the sacred? If I am... Continue Reading →
The path isn’t a straight line; it is a spiral. We continually come back to the things we thought we understood and see deeper truths. Life is a struggle, and the story of our lives is still being written. The Torah is a living document still being written, and the story of the Exodus is... Continue Reading →
Saturday morning study sessions are the best. Using what I refer to as the “blueprint,” it continues to fuel my desire to understand. Of course, my journey is a reflection of my experiences and my attempt to share what I am learning. These essays are part of the result. I dig, go down rabbit holes, learn,... Continue Reading →
I certainly appear to be writing more about the intersection of psychology and Torah a lot these days. And, as many who are well-educated in Torah: the Rabbis, the scholars, and the sages, there are infinite lessons to be learned that are applicable to Jew and non-Jew alike. So, I will stick with it for... Continue Reading →
Inspiration can come in the strangest of ways and places. These days I am obsessed with Viktor Frankl, of blessed memory, and other existential and humanistic theorists. Reflecting on the meaning of life at a deep level, I came across the following words by Paula D’Arcy. It resonated with me. “God comes to us disguised... Continue Reading →
I have a confession. As the cliche goes - while it’s true that we are not all in the same boat, we are all in the same storm. Thinking out loud is a goal these days and writing has become my medium of choice. Being in the middle of life and exploring the journey is one... Continue Reading →
A d’var in two parts. These combined ideas seem to fit this week. In the midst of the readings from this week and last week’s Torah portion - the commandment to rest on the Shabbat in the middle of the instructions on how to build the Mishkan (the portable sanctuary that served the Children of Israel during... Continue Reading →
Let’s face it - life is a heck of a thing! It can be really demanding? Dwelling is much tougher than not living. It requires only a seconds to go away, but it requires a lot more to dwell. It takes a lifetime to make a life. Why? The abilities essential to live take a... Continue Reading →
My blog is a work an progress, and is a collection of thoughts, ideas, musings, lessons I have taught and learned over nearly six decades of living, three decades which were dedicated to teaching and studying in academia. It also involves going down a lot of rabbit holes. Adam Grant, author of Think Again, writes “You... Continue Reading →
Sadness is a commonly experienced emotion, impacting on body and mind, which may last anywhere from a few seconds to several hours. Why write about sadness on Valentine’s Day? “Grief doesn’t end, but it changes. It is a passage, not a place to stay. It is not a sign of weakness, nor lack of faith.... Continue Reading →
Confessions of a Cowtown Culturalist 