Meditation Meditation, mindfulness, and minimalism: all tools I have discovered of late. I vividly recall my first awkward attempts at meditation. Forget about emptying the mind; my thoughts quickly grew to prolific proportions, incessant flashing neon lights on my horizon. “How the heck am I supposed to sit still for
Growth
Going Commando
Anthony Robbins Would Have Been Proud The beach is my “go-to” place. Nothing quite compares to trekking barefoot in the white sands by the sea.From the warm caress of the sun to the waves’ melodies, the beach never fails to inspire and uplift me. This morning, as a part of
Bikeabout
Here and Now Everyone is looking for better health. We want it. We seek it; yet day by day and bit by bit, we distance ourselves just a little further. Suddenly it’s gone. What we wouldn’t give to have it back… In today’s modern world we eagerly embrace a quick
Ride and Reach
Recreating Imagine the thrill of reconnecting with a playful childhood pastime. Fancy riding the depth of a passion that brings you door to door collecting orphaned bikes, in an effort to share your fervor with others like you. Envision an alternate reality where, after being skewered by your bike’s kickstand
Chasing Miracles
No Thank You Please! My family doesn’t like miracles. Far too often, miracles are the aftermath of catastrophic misfortune. Oddly, this bias hasn’t blinded me to calamity’s silver lining. I’ve noticed that out of the deepest depths, change sprouts its finest roots. Extraordinary paths emerge leading to otherwise unimaginable happy
Becoming the Light
Should I or shouldn't I? A man approached inquiring if I was last on line. Moments later another shopper tried to claim his spot. I smiled warmly at his uncharacteristically warm and polite reply. As I waited for the cashier, I eyed the content of his shopping cart and the
Frazzled
Frazzled, “starey eyed”, mindless fools are we. Life’s a gift; yet, seldom are we truly present to savor its flavors. Our senses are dulled and anesthetized, estranged ancestral memories of a distant past. Admittedly, my eyes are glued to the screen, thoughts bounce back and forth between tomorrow and yesterday,
Lofty Peaks
When I Grow Up… I never wanted to be a firewoman, can’t remember growing up with a burning desire to put out fires… Elusive memories dance within the deepest crevices of my mind. Sure, there was always something which stirred my desire, a shiny object calling to me, but I
Project Pink
That Sparks My Spokes Those rare fleeting moments, they’ll appear out of nowhere. Will you react with speed fast enough to ride the spark or will it ride away with its head bowed in regret? But a wink of an eye and the moment is gone. In its path there
Mirror Mirror
One day, out of the blue, a stranger, that you literally just met, speaks these words of praise to you: “You, as your name*, radiate light and authenticity, your smile and your facial expressions emit faith of your pursuit of Nia and of a natural lifestyle: it shines from your
All That Glitters
A glimmer of glitter is enough to turn our heads. I too, am a sucker for shiny objects, inspirational headlines and big promises… As a blogger, I am well aware of the power of a sensational headline. Sparkly, shocking or intriguing titles are a fast ticket “in”. Chances are high
13 Moons
The Power is Ours! At a theatre near you… Mazal Tov, it’s celebration time! Could it be that every death is followed by another birth? Shortly after my father passed away, I began my “book of letters” project. All of the letters (remember those days?) that my father and I
The Black Bash
Giving Thanks Thanksgiving: once again another season of festivities is upon us. The more fortunate amongst us gather round a swollen holiday table and give thanks for abundant bounty. With too many appetizing dishes to choose from, most give in to the tantalizing colorful aromas and overindulge. Black Friday The
Freefalling
Freefalling, down down down: at one time or another we have all woken in a cold sweat from that nightmare. As we leave childhood behind, however, it is less the pain and the loss which we dread, but rather the loss of control at the bottom of the abyss. I’ve
C U
Doctor’s Orders Never was I given an ultimatum to go under the knife. The surgeon proposed cervical fusion to relieve pressure on my spinal cord. He hinted that surgical intervention may indeed break the blanket of pain and curtail my anguish. But then again, he heartily declared that there was
I Have a Dream
Breaking the Mold We are different you and I; no mold is the same. Although we are packaged in different shapes and sizes and colored many assorted shades of beauty, we are also very similar you and I. Deep within our beings we sprout dreams. We each sport our own
The Game of Love
Born to be Loved A child’s way into this world is ushered in by love. At the moment of birth, from out of nowhere, the mother is flooded with a surge of love; joy of its purest form binds mother and babe ever after. Captivated by rays of dancing sunlight
Big Eyes
We were joined at the hip Habonim and I. My formative years were garbed up in my red laced blue shirt and faded Levi jeans. It was my fashion statement. I belonged. I was part of the of Habonim, the labor Zionist youth movement. But nine years old was I,
Alte Zachen? Not Quite Yet!
It has been my experience that bikers, specifically mountain bikers, are a very down to earth and friendly crowd. I cannot recall meeting a “MTBer” (mountain biker) that I did not feel an affinity for. It was my great pleasure to meet Jack, our bed and breakfast host, on our
When I Am Big
Yesterday I came home from a short visit abroad. While traveling the depth and breadth of North America, I could not help but be impressed by the enormous sizes: the spaces, trees, mountains, people and plate portions. Does “Super Size Me” ring a bell? The combination of the super
I was a Dancer
I was a dancer long before I learned my first step. My dance went something like this: One two three, One two three, Four, five, six, Seven, eight, ninety nine, How many more loads are there for me? Slow, slow, quick, quick, Not so slow, quicker, quick, More fosters more,
The Power is Ours!
Meet Helene, AKA Heleneie BeaNiE Cherubinie Wiskerinie Rooterinie, Despite her extraordinary name she is just like you. She has a house. She works hard so she can pay the bills. Her passions and her peeps make her world complete. At least she thought so… Imagine you
Kinky Toots
In all honesty, I do not know how I would write this blog without the generous help of my husband. Believe me when I say that it goes far and beyond his job title of Hebrew editor in chief… Hail to the court jester of Banter and Chuckles! His healthy
One Way or Another
Grandma L. smoked like a chimney and lived until the ripe old age of 95. My cousin refuses to eat fruit and vegetables and yet he is as healthy as a horse. Did you notice that stunning woman over there? She seeks her solace in carbs, cola and ketchup …
An Octave Above
In so many ways you cannot help but notice me… Of course there are the obvious features the short cropped grey hair, the extra wide shoulders and, yes, the slim and not so curvy frame… Were you forced to take cover while listening to me speak? I do tend to
When Colin Campbell Came to Dinner
It is impossible to know in advance which events will become significant milestones in our lives. Any encounter, emotion, object or date on the calendar has the potential to be life changing. Of course you might decide to take control of your destiny; make a conscientious decision to create a
No Happily Ever After
Once upon a time there lived a couple in love… Not a penny to their names there was, but that would not stand in their way. They were both highly successful and ahead of their time in their respective fields of choice. He was handsome, warm, joyful, ambitious and talented.
The Green Goddess
There are days that pass you by without leaving a single mark, like magic they whizz by and poof, not a single memory remains. How many times have you gotten into your car and "woken up" in a daze not understanding how you ended up where you are: your thoughts
Happiness by You!
Smashing! Please excuse my excitement but the last few days have been especially magical. I haven’t a clue why I chose to use this word; it just seemed to suit my mood… I am but moments away from baring my new website to the cosmos. With lingering anticipation I await
Double Trouble
I was not yet twenty when I made Aliyah and Israel became my home. Even though it’s now some thirty five years down the road, most are quick to detect an Anglo-Saxon accent of sorts. Granted, I was not cursed with the classic heavy North American accent. My, linguistic errors,