100 Tears a Day

(This post is based on one previously published by the author on another website in January 2018)

Today, October 7th, is a very challenging day!

I normally post blog updates on Wednesday morning, though over the past few weeks, I have been really wrestling with whether to do so since today is the anniversary of the October 7th terrorist attack.

I am so not a political activist type and don't like getting involved in things political, especially in an online world.

There are many people hurting today! Across the globe. Many are scared and afraid to be just who they are.

Allow me to say this plainly: targeting civilians at a music festival without any military significance in an armed conflict is just wrong. War is terrible, and there are still rules to conduct it. War is abominable, but terrorist attacks on civilians are outright murder.

So many people are hurting today! Yes, in Israel. Yes, in Gaza! Yes in Ukraine and Russia and all over the world.

How do we respond?

Hundreds of thousands of books and billions of pages have been written about it. It is so complicated, yet so simple. But not easy! In many ways, it all comes down to just a few short words, “How are you? Really!?”

As long as humanity has been around, we have been plagued and privileged to ask the great spiritual and religious questions. Who am I? Where have I come from? Where am I going? Is there anyone out there?

It really can come down to just a few words of sincerity.

Some time ago, I went to the grocery market to do some shopping. It was at the end of a pretty busy week and day, and I was in a bit of a hurry and in a grumpy mood. While still in the store after purchasing my groceries, I realized there was a mistake on my receipt, so I went to the Customer Service desk to get it straightened out. This wasn’t too big a deal, only it felt like one more thing to do that was unexpected.

I walked over to the Customer Service Manager and casually asked, “So, how’re ‘ya doing?” He stopped keying whatever he was typing into the register, looked at me squarely in the eye, and asked me, “Really?” It caused me to pause. So I answered him, “Sure!”

He then changed his face and began to tell me, “Well, actually, I am having a pretty rough day. My feet are killing me. My shoes are too tight. I’ve been standing all day. The customers always complain. And my boss is a jerk!” I was not expecting this!

Some days are really just plain crappy.

While completely unexpected, that man taught me a very important lesson that day. This man wanted what we all want! We make it so much more complicated than it is. “How are you, really?” “I am so sorry you’re having such a rough day! Hopefully, you will get home soon, get some rest, and things will be easier tomorrow.”

The Talmud teaches that we should all make 100 blessings a day (Menachot 43b).

But what if instead of making 100 blessings a day, we make eye contact with, smile at, greet, or reach out to 100 people a day? Not only can you make their day, you will definitely make yours!

What is this?

100 smiles a day.

100 greetings a day.

100 tears a day.

100 connections a day.

100 blessings a day.

So… How are you? Really!?