"Dance Like No One is Watching"
Compliments of Rabbi Moshe Wolf

The call comes over the radio of a working fire in an apartment building. I was in the area, so I responded to the scene.  There was fire blowing out of the windows on the 3rd floor.  Our members ran to help those on the lower floors. Even though there was smoke in the halls, they were not aware that the upper floors were on fire.  One after the other, our members came out helping the elderly and carrying out young children. Coughing and hacking, nothing stopped our members from going back into the burning building to help those in distress. I stood there in silent prayer that all would make it out and that none of our members would suffer any smoke-related injuries. Speaking to one of our members who brought out 5 people who were standing on the sidewalk, I said, "Thank you for the Holy work that you do," and she told me, "Rabbi, I was just doing my job".  I gave her a double candy bar, and we said a prayer of thanks that all got out okay and no other injuries. That is what separates you (our men and women) from the rest: You go out every day and put your lives on the line, doing G-d's work. Most of the time, your heroic actions never make it to the news, no one says thanks, no recognition, just that warm feeling inside your heart that you made a difference in someone else's life. So on behalf of ALL of your Chaplains, we say, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!, WE APPRECIATE YOU, AND G-D BLESS YOU.  OUR QUALITY OF LIFE IS BETTER BECAUSE OF EACH ONE OF YOU!  As I was pulling away from the scene, it reminded me how precious life is and how grateful we need to be for the gift of every day.
 
"Dance Like No One Is Watching" 
 
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, and then another. Then we're frustrated that the kids aren't old enough, and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We'll certainly be happy when they're out of that stage.
 
We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, or when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?
Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
 
One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last, it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life. And we ALL have our own challenges and burdens to carry".
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with...and remember that time waits for no one.
 
So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Remember, "every day of life is a gift, enjoy your present!"
  
Dare to Believe
 
EVERYBODY KNOWS ...
You can't be all things to all people.
You can't do all things at once.
You can't do all things equally well.
You can't do all things better than everyone else.
Your humanity is showing just like everyone else's.
SO ...
You have to find out who you are,..... and be that.
You have to decide what comes first,..... and do that.
You have to discover your strengths, and use them.
You have to learn not to compete with others,
Because no one else is in the contest of "being you."
THEN ...
You will have learned to accept your own uniqueness.
You will have learned to set priorities and make decisions.
You will have learned to live with your limitations.
You will have learned to give yourself the respect that is due,
And you'll be a most vital mortal.
DARE TO BELIEVE ...
That you are a wonderful, unique person.
That you are a once-in-all-history event.
That it's more than a right, it's your duty, to be who you are.
That life is not a problem to solve but a gift to cherish.
And you'll be able to stay one up on what used to get you down.
 
Here is a little humor from the "Moshe Files" to keep you smiling.
 
'The Suspicious Man”
 
A little man and a lady were sitting next to each other on the bus. The little man was perfectly harmless, but the lady was a spinster and suspicious of all males. So, since they were somewhat crowded on the seat, she pushed the umbrella between her knee and his and held it firmly as a barrier.
 
When they reached her stop, it started raining. The woman put up the umbrella. As she did so, she realized that the little man had followed her. She had guessed that he was a masher, and now she knew it for sure.
 
She walked quickly down the side street, and the man pursued through the driving rain. She ran up the steps of her home and rang the bell.
When she heard the doorman coming to the door, feeling herself safe at last, she turned about and addressed her pursuer angrily. “How dare you follow me! How dare you! What do you want, anyhow?”
The drenched little man spoke pleadingly, “If you please, ma’am, now that you’re home, I want my umbrella back.” LOL
On behalf of ALL your Chaplains, may G-d protect you, keep you safe, and ALWAYS keep you in His loving care.
Should you need a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen, or perhaps some good humor to share, please don't hesitate to give up a call. (I am serious, send me your jokes, don't worry about the content, I'll clean it up, lol...)
Available for you and your family 24/7.
 
Compliments of your Chaplain
Rabbi Moshe Wolf.......773-463-4780 24/7 leave a message and I'll return call.
E-mail: moshewolf@hotmail.com
Snail mail: 3008 W. Pratt, Chicago, 60645
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​March-April 2025