November 29, 2012
In-depth
‘We’re Learning How to Be Free’
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi talks to Richard Stengel, Bobby Ghosh and Karl Vick of Time about changes in the Mideast, the Israel-Gaza ceasefire and his time in the United States.
President Obama has been very helpful, very helpful. And I can say, really, that his deeds coincide with his intentions. We’ve been talking together about the cease-fire. That’s very important. Then we can talk about differences between Palestinians and Israelis. It’s not easy. It’s very difficult. Both sides are talking about differences. We want them to talk about similarities … We are now doing this job as much as we can.
Obama must offer a 'grand deal' with Iran on its nuclear program
Writing in Christian Science Monitor, Seyed Hossein Mousavian lays out his view of how Washington and Tehran can end their deadlock over Iran's nuclear aspirations.
…direct talks between Iran and the US on broader issues are essential. Rapprochement will be possible only if, for the duration of engagement policy, the US dual-track policy ceases and hostile actions, sanctions, and other forms of coercive pressures are put on hold. And Tehran and Washington must also agree on a comprehensive agenda for reconciliation. That agenda must include all bilateral, regional, and international issues – demonstrating the “entire game plan” while implementing it in phases.
Daily Digest
- Times of Israel: UN recognition only ‘pushes away’ Palestinians’ statehood prospects, Netanyahu says
- Haaretz: With Palestinians near certain to win UN recognition, Israel increasingly isolated
- Jerusalem Post: Gaza arrangement begins to take shape
- Ynet: Olmert: No reason to oppose Palestinian UN bid
- New York Times: U.S. and Israel Look to Limit Impact of U.N. Vote on Palestinian Authority
- Washington Post: Falling for Hamas’s media manipulation
- Wall Street Journal: Cairo Impasse Raises Economic Alarms
Follow Shmuel Rosner on Twitter and Facebook for facts and figures, analysis and opinion on Israel and the U.S., the Jewish World and the Middle East
 of all; the secrets hidden within your personal name, and how you can refresh your entire life – work, personal, physical, emotional and spiritual – by getting in touch with the essence of your name.</p>
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What is your name? What is the name you like to be called by? What are your other names? We might have a first name, e.g. “Marigold”, but we all have other names depending on personal and professional relationships, e.g. “Mum”, “Aunty Marigold”, “Dr Marigold” – we are complex beings, made of many different but complementary parts.</p>
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<strong>Branding Ancient Egypt</strong><br />
In his seminal book <em>On Brand</em>, thought leader Wally Olins explained how a company’s name and logo is so much more than a group of randomly-chosen letters and visual images. He traced modern brand logos back to Ancient Egypt, considering how one of the Pharoahs effectively rebranded the entire country through the use of symbols and hieroglyphs.</p>
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A company’s name denotes something of its essence, and the brand is created through the way that other people relate to that name. We all have clear associations when we hear the names ‘Coca-Cola’, ‘Mercedes’ and ‘Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities LLC’.</p>
<p> <strong>Kabbalistic Rebrand</strong><br />
The ancient Kabbalistis agreed with modern brand experts. They recognised the importance of our name; that it denotes our very essence. They even condoned a tradition of rebranding a person who is facing a life-threatening illness. They believed that that by taking on a new name, it could change someone’s fate, as if the illness was meant for the ‘old’ person. This may sound irrational, but it’s not that different to a company facing bankruptcy; they’ll quickly reform with the same people under a new entity (e.g. new name and new bank accounts) and thereby change their fate!</p>
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<strong>Your name</strong><br />
Have you considered the depths of your personal name? What is the name you go by? What does it mean (in any language)? Do you have any other names that you don’t use (e.g. middle names, spiritual names), and what do they mean? My English names are Marcus Joel Freed, my Hebrew name is Matisyahu Yoel Baruch and there are various other things I’ve been called by ex-girlfriends…</p>
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Discovering the depths of your name may take some research, but when we find the roots of our names – in whichever language – we discover more about both our essence and our potential. Try seeking out a name dictionary, ask around, and consider where you are not currently living up to the potential of your name.</p>
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<strong>The Jacob/Israel Rebrand</strong><br />
One of the first recorded rebrands takes place in Genesis 32:29 and 35:10 when Jacob has his name changed to ‘Israel’. His new name signifies an expanded potential which he earns after undergoing a personal trial; the new name means ‘he who has struggled with the Divine and men and overcome”. The person who was to found a nation needed a strong name signifying leadership, rather than just ‘Jacob’ which means ‘heel’. From now on he was to be the head rather than the foot.</p>
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<strong>Your personal rebrand</strong><br />
How can you rebrand your body, your career and your life? How you can you reach deeper so that you are able to become an even better you? There is a two step process: 1. Identify the meaning, depth and potential hidden within your name, and 2. Step into your potential!</p>
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<strong>Physical potential</strong><br />
We have huge untapped potential within our body – to stand straighter, to breath more deeply, to move with more grace – and one aim of a yoga practice is to increase our discipline so that we can stand at our full height and use the totality of our body.</p>
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Consider the fullness of your potential, and step into your glory!</p>
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