The Legend of the Jewish Samurai

PAST PRESENT FUTURE

Yesterday I saw my grandson pedaling his dinky tricycle for the first time. His little red wheels could only move him so far despite the brisk efforts of his tiny legs. He was trying to catch up with the bigger neighborhood kids whizzing by with their scooters. "Come on let's go!" he shouted in baby talk --- mimicking his older gang-mates. It was a very cute site. (That's probably how I looked eons ago when my brother and I steered our own tricycle.) My, how fast he has grown. Pretty soon he'll be playing basketball, riding motorcycles, falling in love, getting married and having grand kids of his own. Sunrise, sunset ... you watch them in movies ... but I tell you, it hits you differently when the story is your own.

In contrast, this morning I went to a business meeting where they showed a short movie about a 90 year old woman contemplating a transfer to a senior facility. "I want to go because I don't want to be a burden" she said. Translation: "I want to stay and be with family but I don't want people to worry or disrupt their schedule for me. I'd rather suffer than have them suffer." One day I know her story will be my story as well.
I see the same dynamics in my own parents. I want to care for them but life has its complexities.
In the past 24 hours I have seen my past and my future. What one accomplishes between the two points determines one's legacy. So how does one measure a successful life? A popular Broadway song offers a suggestion:


525,600 minutes.* How do you measure, a year in the life? In daylights? in sunsets? In midnights? In cups of coffee? In inches? In miles? In laughter? In strife? In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes? How about love? Measure in love.
[From the play RENT]

Wisdom from Debbie
of Moreno Valley, CA

Words of Wisdom

You don't have to be great to start,
but you have to start to be great.

Thanks to this week's winners:
Tom and Art of Pasadena; Mike, Audrey and Charlie of New York
; Don of Kelowna; John of Palos Verdes; Jeff and Norm or Arcadia; Naomi of N Hollywood; Janette of Hong Kong; Debbie of Moreno Valley.

[* BTW, in case you're wondering, I didn't particularly like the play or the movie but I did like this one song].

The Legend of the Jewish Samurai:
A Man for Our Time
Sent by Jeff of Arcadia, CA

Once upon a time, a powerful Emperor of the Rising Sun advertised for a new Chief Samurai. After a year, only three applied for the job: a Japanese, a Chinese, and a Jewish Samurai.

"Demonstrate your skills!" commanded the Emperor.

The Japanese samurai stepped forward, opened a tiny box, and released a fly. He drew his samurai sword and *Zinnnnnng!* the fly fell to the floor, neatly divided in two!

"What a feat!" said the Emperor. "Number Two Samurai, show me what you do."

The Chinese samurai smiled confidently, stepped forward and opened a tiny box, releasing a fly. He drew his samurai sword and * Swoosh! * Swooosh! * The fly fell to the floor neatly quartered.

"That is skill!" nodded the Emperor. "How are you going to top that, Number three Samurai?"

The Jewish samurai, Obi-wan Cohen, stepped forward, opened a tiny box releasing one fly, drew his samurai sword and *Voooom! * flourished his sword so mightily that a gust of wind blew through the room. But the fly was still buzzing around! In disappointment, the Emperor said, "What kind of skill is that? The fly isn't even dead."

"Dead?" replied the Jewish Samurai. “Dead is easy ~ but circumcised?"


It Happened in Shul
Sent by Norm of Arcadia, CA
(A little Jewish humor: You may not understand some of the terms but like me, I hope you get it)

A Rabbi approaches a guest in Shul and says,
"I'd like to give you an Aliyah. What is your name?"

The man answers, "Esther ben Moshe."

The Rabbi says, "No, I need YOUR name."

"It's Esther ben Moshe," the man says.

"But that's a woman's name! How can that be your name?" asks the Rabbi.

The man answers, "I've been having financial problems with the IRS, so everything now is in my wife's name."


Videos of the week: (click on the picture)

Brass Band Multi-tasker
Contributed by Naomi of North Hollywood, CA

Brass Band Multi Tasker

I didn't think this was possible but this guy actually multi-tasks different intruments. He does it with a disinterested flair. Funny and impressive.

Ocean Diving in 3D
Contributed by Charlie of New York

scuba diving in 3d

Tomorrow is the weekend. Wouldn't you like to be somewhere in the tropics? When I grew up I visited my grandmother who had a beach property and I saw many of these underwater delights for a whole summer. I have such happy childhood memories.

The Makeover
Contributed by Tom of Pasadena, CA and Mike of New York

Makeover

High quality video of a man who takes great pain to return to his youth and the fun he has with his total makeover.

Young Japanese Rocker
Contributed by Audrey of New York

Japanese Boy Rocker

Ellen de Genres is known for "discovering" amazing talent. Here she brings a young Japanese electric guitar prodigy to her show for a second appearance. All my years of guitar practice never amounted anywhere close to this. He's amazing.

Did You Know?
Contributed by Don of Kelowna, B.C.

Did You know?

Intriguing video of the ever changing world around us. If you like trivia, start taking notes because the research in this clip covers a lot of topics. I do wonder how accurate the facts are. Remember what they say ... 56.36% of trivia is made right on the spot.

Rabbit Competition
Contributed by Art of Pasadena, CA

Rabbit competition

I know there's chunk of you who adore animals. This video should fill your need for that animal connection. Enjoy!

A Mini Cooper Olympic Concert
Contributed by John of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Mini Cooper Concert

John's a Brit who enjoyed this commercial that hailed his heritage. It was made for the recent Olympic games.

Speed Dating
Contributed by Janette from Hong Kong

Rabbit competition

Last week's video of the unsuspecting car salesman reminded Janette of this video and she was kind enough to share it with all of us.
TGIF! Remember, to turn your clocks forward one hour if you observe DST.

Comments

Hi Raoul,
You are a wise sage. Very inspiring message. I love it.
Regards,
Ida

Haha thanks these are a great start to my day.

Sara, Whittier, CA

I called one of my Jewish friends and read him the second joke, and he laughed and laughed. He explained the concept to me, but the concept wasn't nearly as funny as as much as he laughed.

--Jeff of Arcadia, CA

Great selection and words of Wisdom! A Deacon at Mass said. " have a James Brown Day" at the conclusion of the Service and so I looked him up and he was a popular Singer with some very up Lyrics! A sense of Gratitude is the proper attitude for this Lenten Season!

Thanks! Tom of Pasadena

Raul, this is a very thoughtful meditation. Thanks for sharing.
Doug

Enjoyed the Jewish jokes, and best of all liked what you said about life being a sunrise/sunset thing.

Henrietta, Iligan City, Philippines

This,,,,,,,,,,,,was a terrific package !!!!!!

Jimmy, Venezuela

Thank you from Australia

Betty

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