fbpx

A Moment in Time: A GPS for the Soul

[additional-authors]
February 14, 2019

Dear all,

I was driving from the Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion back to Temple Akiba the other day. I needed to get the fastest route, so I plugged the origin and destination into my GPS, which in turn offered three options. As I took the fastest one (believe it or not, the I-10 freeway) I got to thinking….

Each day, my soul needs a GPS as well.  But it’s not about arriving at the destination quickly.  It’s about creating purpose along the way. So I created a checklist. Here are the milestones I need to deepen my journey:

1) Did I hear laughter?

2) Did I see a smile?

3) Did I taste something really good?

4) Did I notice an act of tzedakah/ righteousness?

5) Did I participate in an act of tzedakah?

6) Did I contact someone who would like to hear from me?

7) Did I hold the door open for someone?

8) Did I make time to pray/ meditate/ offer gratitude?

9) Did I listen to music?

10) Did I make the world better?

The GPS of the soul requires us to step back with mindfulness, step up with purpose, and step in to capture each moment in time.  What will be on YOUR spiritual GPS today?

With love and shalom,

Rabbi Zach Shapiro

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Jerusalem: A City that Defies Description

For about an hour or two, you’re asked to absorb centuries upon centuries of kings, armies, religions and empires taking turns trying to take control of the center of the world.

‘Playmakers’: A Jewish Toyland

The entire toy industry in America was largely Jewish, from the company founders and executives to the designers and factory workers, from the wholesale distributors and the army of salesmen, to the retail outlets and the large department stores that sold them.

Batya’s Moment

NewsNation host Batya Ungar-Sargon talks about her new book, “The Jews and The Left,” her rift with Megyn Kelly and why antisemitism has spread like wildfire in America.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.