From Rabbi Pete Tobias, of the Liberal Synagogue ElstreeTuesday 25 November 2008
...
The comedian Michael McIntyre makes an interesting observation about buffets.
When you order a meal in a restaurant, you just order one thing. But when you’re confronted with a buffet, you want everything – even things you’ve never thought of eating! And even though the buffet’s always replenished, you’re terrified it’ll all be gone before you’ve had a chance to eat it all.
I’m not sure all this choice is good for us. Remember when you went to get bread and milk from the local shop – you got a loaf of bread and a bottle of milk. Now it could be skimmed, semi-skimmed or full fat – and as for the bread... All those different types and shapes and sizes - if the buffet mentality took hold of you, you’d be eating nothing but bread for weeks.
There’s a lot of truth in the well-worn phrase ‘spoiled for choice.’ We’re spoiled in the sense that all our needs are indulged. But I think we’re also spoiled in the sense of being ruined: we seem to have lost a sense of how to value and appreciate things, because there are just so many of them.
It’s not easy to take a step back from our materialistic world when it perpetually encourages us to consume more and more. We imagine the whole world is a buffet from which we humans can take whatever we want.
But perhaps we should every now and then, try to learn some humility and understand our place in the world.
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Have you ever wondered what it is drives some people to come in to Bloggs and share their soul with the world?
I know I do.
I often wonder why I keep coming in here, albeit intermittently; why I keep getting 'the urge' to share how I feel about world events or things I've heard on the radio ...
This latest 'offering' is just that.
As soon as I'd hear the following I got that old feeling I 'had To' share it ...
It's taken from Terry Wogan's BBC Radio2 show on the first of December this year (2008).
From Reverened Ruth Scott, an Anglican Vicar in Richmond Monday 1 December 2008
Last night many churches around the country will have marked the start of Advent with special services. These begin in complete darkness, into which a single lit candle is carried. A small pinpoint of light. The flame is passed from one person’s candle to another until there’s no more darkness.
Today, with the news dominated by recession and the carnage of terrorism, I’m sure we could all do with a little heart-warming light to keep us going.
On my recent cycle ride from Cairo to Jerusalem, Jane was my particular inspiration.
Sport isn’t really her thing. A 1000km cycling challenge sounded like hell on wheels.
But it was in aid of a charity she supported, so she started serious training and worked hard to get fit. She raised lots of money and roped in her friends to join her in the challenge.
Nerves kept her awake the night before we started cycling and the first day felt almost impossible. Compared with the superfit among us, she felt inadequate. I know there were times cycling up the mountains of the Sinai desert when Jane was so tired and disheartened that she wanted to throw in the towel. But she didn’t. She pedalled away at the back of our column, often far behind the leading cyclists, and just kept going, no matter how long it took her.
That demanded great courage, determination and humour. Jane was way out her comfort zone, but she achieved so much, not only for herself but also for many others. Her example certainly lit my candle, and I want to pass on that flame to you today.
No matter how inadequate we may feel, each of us can be an inspiration to others, even when we’re struggling at the back of the crowd and everyone else seems so much better than us.
Inspiration doesn’t come from being super-talented or successful. It’s about having a ‘can-do’ approach to life whatever our circumstances or short-comings.
And (Terry) what better gift to give another person at Christmas than the light of inspiration to help them on their way?
I know I do.
I often wonder why I keep coming in here, albeit intermittently; why I keep getting 'the urge' to share how I feel about world events or things I've heard on the radio ...
This latest 'offering' is just that.
As soon as I'd hear the following I got that old feeling I 'had To' share it ...
It's taken from Terry Wogan's BBC Radio2 show on the first of December this year (2008).
From Reverened Ruth Scott, an Anglican Vicar in Richmond Monday 1 December 2008
Last night many churches around the country will have marked the start of Advent with special services. These begin in complete darkness, into which a single lit candle is carried. A small pinpoint of light. The flame is passed from one person’s candle to another until there’s no more darkness.
Today, with the news dominated by recession and the carnage of terrorism, I’m sure we could all do with a little heart-warming light to keep us going.
On my recent cycle ride from Cairo to Jerusalem, Jane was my particular inspiration.
Sport isn’t really her thing. A 1000km cycling challenge sounded like hell on wheels.
But it was in aid of a charity she supported, so she started serious training and worked hard to get fit. She raised lots of money and roped in her friends to join her in the challenge.
Nerves kept her awake the night before we started cycling and the first day felt almost impossible. Compared with the superfit among us, she felt inadequate. I know there were times cycling up the mountains of the Sinai desert when Jane was so tired and disheartened that she wanted to throw in the towel. But she didn’t. She pedalled away at the back of our column, often far behind the leading cyclists, and just kept going, no matter how long it took her.
That demanded great courage, determination and humour. Jane was way out her comfort zone, but she achieved so much, not only for herself but also for many others. Her example certainly lit my candle, and I want to pass on that flame to you today.
No matter how inadequate we may feel, each of us can be an inspiration to others, even when we’re struggling at the back of the crowd and everyone else seems so much better than us.
Inspiration doesn’t come from being super-talented or successful. It’s about having a ‘can-do’ approach to life whatever our circumstances or short-comings.
And (Terry) what better gift to give another person at Christmas than the light of inspiration to help them on their way?