An inspirational video from Aish.com
“Love God” – A Few Thoughts
February 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment
So, I’ve been reading the 6 Constant Mitzvot by Rabbi Noah Weinberg over at Aish.com. Today was #4, Love God. In particular, this stuck out to me:
The sign of successful Torah study is when it becomes an insatiable addiction. If something doesn’t make sense, you will rack your brains to figure it out. And every time you succeed in working it out, the pleasure makes you want more and more. This level is called Ahavat Torah — true love of Torah. You become so overwhelmed that Torah study becomes your very essence and you want to absorb as much as you can.
Now, while I really want to be at that point, I just can’t seem to get there. I’ve been confused about my lack of motivation, but after reading some teachings of on the topic of prayer by Rabbi Lazer Brody (side note: how cool would it be to have the name “Lazer?”), I may have the answer:
If hitbodedut is so pleasant, convenient, and easy, why isn’t everyone speaking to Hashem for an hour a day? What’s stopping people from doing what they know is right and beneficial, from talking to Hashem in personal prayer?
The answer is that the Yetzer Hara – the Evil Inclination – knows full well the virtues of hitbodedut. He knows that by way of personal prayer, a person will realize his potential to the maximum and see blessings of success in all of his endeavors. Most of all, personal prayer is the vehicle that brings a person close to Hashem, to his true mission in life, and to his soul correction. For these reasons, the Yetzer Hara will fight tooth and nail against hitbodedut and do everything to convince and discourage a person from doing personal prayer.
Now, I’ve never been comfortable with anything that even slightly resembles a “the devil made me do it” defense, but I also know my knowledge is nowhere near that of Rabbi Brody. So, is it entirely possible that my desire for comfort and fear of the unknown qualify as some sort of “evil inclination” that have me spinning my wheels and going nowhere? Sadly, they are.
Problem diagnosed. Now, for a solution…
Orthodox Jewish Hip-Hop: Ta-Shma
February 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Yeah, their one album came out in 2006, but I’m just now getting around to downloading it (mostly because I’m just now getting around to trusting iTunes a a viable music-purchasing option).
Anyway, two songs I really dig by these guys:
(yes, it was my fondness for Matisyahu’s music that caused me to check these guys out. I just couldn’t ignore the “featuring Matisyahu” next to the song title for “Rachamana.”)
Classic Video Friday: BRING THA NOIZE!
January 28, 2011 By Leave a Comment
I’m going to be a little more self indulgent this time around…
Back when I was in high school (’89-’93) I was a huge Anthrax fan. On top of that, I really dug Public Enemy (how awesome is Chuck D?). So, when thos two groups got together to do this, I thought it was the most amazing song ever recorded:
Old hat nowadays, but groundbreaking back in ’91!
“Everyone But Me Is A Complete Idiot”
January 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
That title seems to represent the “default setting” of most people, myself included. So, I’ve made it a goal to respect all people with the same respect I want. Once you humanize people, it is hard to treat them like garbage.
Pushin’ Weight
CF Football Total
Power Clean 1 Rep
Squat 1 Rep
Bench 1 Rep
Deadlift 1 Rep
*Perform a single max effort for the lifts listed above.
*After warm-ups, 3 attempts are allowed.
*Total must be done in the specified order.
*Combine all 4 lifts to create CF Football Total
Results
Power Clean: 135
Squat: 245
Bench: 165
Deadlift: 295
Total: 840
Notes: The clean only got 2 attempts, as the 135 on the second was U-G-L-Y, and I didn’t think I could get more weight without hurting myself. As for the other 3 lifts, I think I could’ve bumped those numbers up 10-20 pounds easily if I had more than 3 attempts. I know to start heavier next time.
TOSH SAT
Run: 3x( 200m + 400m+ 600m)
Rest the exact time it takes you to do each interval in each set. EX. 200m run in 35 sec. rest 35 sec then 400m run, rest 400m time, run 600m, rest 600m time, run 200m, etc
Result
I haven’t run in a really long time, so my right heel & Achilles Tendon weren’t diggin’ this. As a result, I opted to walk a mile (I also left out the door late, limiting my time).
Morning weigh in: 290 lbs.
Stuff eaten: I’m logging this, but still not sure I want to post it here. So, maybe down the road, but not now.
Pushin’ Weight: Time To Get Started
January 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
The changes at work are done, and my schedule has been nailed down, so it’s time to get this started.
Things could change/evolve as time goes on, but starting out:
1) I’m going to do the workout posted over at Crossfit Football when I get off work at night, and the daily workout posted at Crossfit Endurance and Mobility WOD first thing the next morning. I may have to substitute (my gym isn’t set up to work for some of the CFFB workouts), and scale (I don’t want to kill myself) from time to time, but my ultimate goal is to be able to handle what’s thrown at me.
2) As diets go, I think I’m going to combine a Paleo Diet with a Warrior Diet, and work from there.
3) I’m also looking to break out of a rut and grow as a person, so I’ll try to post a few insights from my day and quotes from stuff I read.
For today, I’m pulling from Way 37 of The 48 Ways to Wisdom, titled, “Never be Bored:”
When it comes to crucial life concepts, we sometimes say we “know” something, when perhaps we don’t.
For example, it is a foundation of Judaism that God loves us personally and individually. He listens to our prayers. He desires a relationship with us. He guides and cares for us.We may say we “know it,” but unless we are living with that reality, we don’t really know it. We’re just paying lip service.
The method to “know” something is through understanding. Embark on a study of Who God is, and why He may act the way He does. As Rebbeinu Bechaye (11th century Spain) writes in “Duties Of The Heart”:
“The Torah encourages you to reflect and exercise your intellect on such themes… Investigate with your reason, understanding and judgment until the truth becomes clear to you and false ideas are dispelled; as it is written, “Know this day and lay it on your heart that the Lord, He is God” (Deut. 4:39). This admonition refers to everything in which rational methods of investigation can be used.”
Once we begin to grapple with the question of God in our lives, then we can truly come to know that He loves us. And from there, great new vistas will open up.
Tonight’s/tomorrow’s workout:
CF Football Total
Power Clean 1 Rep
Squat 1 Rep
Bench 1 Rep
Deadlift 1 Rep
*Perform a single max effort for the lifts listed above.
*After warm-ups, 3 attempts are allowed.
*Total must be done in the specified order.
*Combine all 4 lifts to create CF Football Total
TOSH SAT
Run: 3x( 200m + 400m+ 600m)
Rest the exact time it takes you to do each interval in each set. EX. 200m run in 35 sec. rest 35 sec then 400m run, rest 400m time, run 600m, rest 600m time, run 200m, etc.
I’ll post totals and whatnot later. *Spoiler alert: I’ll probably do just 1 round of the endurance workout. Have I mentioned that I don’t want to kill myself?*
“You Complain. A Lot.”
January 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A coworker said that to me the other day. It caught me off guard, because I’m generally happy with my job, and feel like I make an effort to fix what is wrong instead of just griping about it. However, I can’t see myself how others see me, so it’s entirely possible that I’m a big complainer. I could just be numb to it.
I’m also pretty sure that how I behave at work is how I behave outside of work, so this whole thing concerns me on a pretty big level.
A couple of things I’ve seen recently that have me thinking…
First, I was watching Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist the other night, and there’s a line about Tikkun Olam that kind of bugs me:
Norah: There’s this part of Judaism that I like. Tikun Olam. It said that the world is broken into pieces and everyone has to find them and put them back together.
Nick: Maybe we don’t have to find it. Maybe we are the pieces.
It bugs me mostly because of Nick’s response. We aren’t the pieces. We’re the ones that broke the world. We dishonor god and each other with our totally selfish pursuits. For those of us that complain a lot, this is the source of that complaining; people aren’t behaving as I think they should, and it bugs me. Why should I try to understand anyone else when it’s obvious I’m always right?
Second, something I found on the blog of a Crossfit gym in California:
If we were to take a look at the world through color or lack their of, would you life be bright or dull. Taking a visual aid from the 1998 movie “Pleasantville” where an idyllic complacent 1950′s town lives in a world without color, significant excitement and limited enthusiasm. The movie’s depiction reflects a general lack of concern for finding new stimulants and simply maintaing an acceptance of being mediocre. So how does the plot of “Pleasantville” relate to us at the gym.
Earlier this week we discussed that if you did not enlighten your friends to the idea of training with us that you were directly supporting and encouraging them to develop diabetes and have their feet removed forcibly from their bodies. Since that post almost a whole 2 days ago we have seen many of you bring your friends in and share the cure, so to that I congratulate you. Now back to the topic at hand, please do not allow your friends and family to live a life of gray complacency, bring a little color into their life. Let us paint your life with vibrancy and gloriousness.
Yeah, it focuses on exercise, but makes a very valid point that can apply to pretty much anything in life. I think Rabbi Nachman of Breslov said it best:
לבקר אחרים ולתת להם הרגשה שאינם רצויים – זאת יכול כל אחד לעשות. אך לרומם את רוחם ולהעניק להם הרגשה טובה – לכך דרושים כישרון מיוחד והשקעת מאמץ
Think about that for a while!
(okay, seriously, in English):
Criticising others, giving them an unwelcome feeling, can be done by anyone. Uplifting them and giving them a good feeling – that takes a special gift and spending effort.
Truly, there is nothing worth complaining about. It should be my goal in life to uplift others, not worry about (mostly insignificant) issues I let get to me. Complaints don’t make the world a better place, and I need to keep that in mind.
Pushin’ Weight Update
So, I’ve been hitting the gym, using the workouts posted at Crossfit Football. It’s going well, but I still need to work on cleaning the junk out of my diet. I may try to post a weekly workout that includes all workouts, but I’m a little scared my blog could turn into an exercise log, which I don’t want, so I’ll see what I can work out.
New Year’s “Resolution:” Never Be Comfortable
January 1, 2011 By Leave a Comment
“Comfort is the enemy of progress.”
This is my new motivational slogan. Honestly, it’s probably one of those things that sounds really deep to the person that made it up, but totally stupid to everyone else.
However, it’s something that I’ve noticed in my life. It’s easy to settle down in one place because it isn’t bad and is meeting your immediate needs. However, that “settling down” will keep you from accomplishing any long-term goals you may have. So, while I’m not one to make New Year resolutions, I am setting a goal to avoid comfort at all costs. You don’t get anywhere without motivation, and falling into a rut that works for you is a motivation killer!
Classic Video Friday: A Handful Of Christmas Videos
December 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Yeah, I hate Christmas music. Absolutely despise it. However, just to avoid being “that guy,” here are a few I’m okay with.
Wham! Last Christmas
Okay, all my cards on the table, I’m not 100% sold on this one. However, I can’t get it out of my head as of late. On top of that, how awesome is George Michael’s hair?
As far as I’m concerned, Run-DMC have never made a bad song. So, naturally, this is one of my favorite Christmas tunes:
So, technically not a music video, but still the best Christmas song EVER. There’s just no topping “Soul Brotha #1!”
Well, This’ll Be Stuck In My Head Most Of The Day: “A Country Boy Can Survive”
December 9, 2010 By Leave a Comment
Everyone has a list of songs that will get stuck in their head after hearing even a little snippet. This classic by ol’ Bocephus is one of those songs for me. I’ll be walking around the rest of the day singing, “I’d like to spit some Beech Nut in that dude’s eye…”
