We are frazzled, pressured, preoccupied with our daily responsibilities and our relationships. How am. I doing? How am I fairing as a professional, spouse, a parent, a friend, a neighbor? How well am I serving my Creator?  Our initial take is often rather bleak.  We tend to see   ourselves as deficient beings very much in need of improvement. Such a mindset does not foster a happy, active, meaningful life. In truth, our self-assessment is invariably and seriously wrong. There is much in each of us about which to be truly happy. The problem is that we don't know much about ourselves and consequently we can't appreciate how good we really are.   If the Almighty loves you so much, there must be much in yourself to love. The challenge is to find that inner gold and to bring it into awareness on a daily basis.  

This is the second in a series of podcasts entitled: Something From Nothing, Conversations with my Father. This session, that might well be called the "magic subway ride", touches on the perplexing questions:  "What am I doing here?", "Why am I suffering?" and "why am I me?" You can listen to Rabbi Gordon's Tanya class  here. You can listen to Chavie Bruk's class here. You can  read more about anxiety here. You can listen to my interview with Dr. Joan Rosenberg here. We  would love to connect, you can join our forum on SHMUZY here.  

This conversation with my daughter Chanie is the first of what will hopefully develop into a series of Sunday morning chats. Actually, Chanie and I often speak of creation and the meaning  of life  illuminated by  Chassidus, so this is really a continuation of a long standing schmooze. Questions, frequently emerging from current life issues are explored as they pop up. This Sunday we touched on the purpose of life's many troubles, the awesome beauty of simply being, and our often rocky relationship with our Father in Heaven. We hope that you find our discussion worthwhile. You  can discuss this episode, submit feedback or ask questions  on SHMUZY.