Category Archives: Life Balance

When browsing recently through my digital pictures album I came across some pictures I took while visiting San Francisco when speaking at the Odd Couple marketing for speakers workshop. It reminded me not only of the fabulous time I had with my friends Alan Weiss and Patricia Fripp but it also reminded me of how much I enjoy mixing work and pleasure to the point that I often can’t tell one from the other.

Below are pictures I took from my beautiful Hyatt room and another of Alan and Patricia during a rare odd couple contrarian disagreement that needed a resolution once and for all.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”
Anne Dudley Bradstreet

It is that exciting time of year again. The trees are changing, there is an amazing fragrance in the air, the birds are back and their vocal chords are louder then ever, my convertible top is already down, my dog is in a better mood and so are my wife, neighbors and even clients. In my front yard, the beautiful white weeping cherry reminds me of the latest snowstorm already long time forgotten, while my gorgeous sour crab apple trees scream: “spring is here.”

I love each season with the changes it brings. Some anticipated and planned while others a surprise or a new challenge. Life is great and especially the journey.

(Click on images to enlarge):

My weeping cherry tree

My crab apple trees

My dog, Noodles

We said goodbye to the kids and are looking forward to their safe return home in June. Our driver is waiting to take us to the airport and luckily we do not need to mount the suitcase on the roof of the car again. On the way to the airport, I chat with him about life in Israel. He tells me that two of his kids serve in the Israeli army and he knows that there will not be peace in his lifetime.

Final Reflection:

1. Time with family is precious.

2. Life is too short. Try enjoying each every moment.

3. Engage in conversations with people. You will discover some amazing wisdom.

4. Take time to observe and reflect. That’s when most of the learning and appreciation may take place.

5. Education is key to our future and probably the key to reducing hatred among nations.

6. Technology knows no borders, helps create and establish communities, makes staying in touch seamless and if used well can greatly increase efficiency and effectiveness.

7. We often take things for granted. Gas prices, Choices, Life style, discretionary time, freedom, relationships, peace and health to name a few.

8. Wars are asinine.

9. Life is great.

Signing off,

Chad

Today is our last day in Israel and we started by visiting the gorgeous Yemin Moshe neighborhood overlooking the old city of Jerusalem. It is one of my favorite places to visit in Jerusalem. Located next to an artists colony hosting some of Israel’s best and most creative artists I find there is something serene almost magical about this place. I can’t help but take many pictures and videos of this place:

And the birthday girl again, my daughter Sharon:

I couldn’t help but also post this next picture depicting a rainy day in Jerusalem (the only one we had this week) with a creative blue umbrella (plastic bag) covering this guy’s hat.

We had dinner with the kids at the fabulous Moroccan Darna Restaurant which was a great way to wrap up this marvelous week.

As I noted in my previous post, here is the video I shot with my new Flip Video gadget of the singer / seller I met at the Jerusalem open market. What a great guy, great soul and great voice:

And just some additional sounds and smells from around the market:

Thursday turned out to be another great day. I first got together for breakfast with my good friend Dov Gordon from The Gordon Group whom I met online several years ago when implementing Alan’s Forums, the great online community we’ve created for International consultant writer and speaker, Alan Weiss. Dov and I discussed business ideas in general and strategy in particular. Dov has this unique and very smart ability to analyze and dissect a topic and turn it into a great and practical learning experience. What also fascinates me about him is his courage to have moved to Israel and conduct most of his business in English.

I then met my family at the Jerusalem open market (Mahane Yehuda) to do some shopping. It is an amazing place bustling with interesting people. The great smell of the fresh food and its sight is just amazing and tempting. I found myself having this immense craving to taste most of it:

We came across this amazing Halvah (Sesame Candy) store with every possible flavor available. It was just too hard to resist the aroma and temptation created, especially when we were offered to taste it. We purchased several kilos to take back to the US with us:

This next store had amazing spices and tea of all kind. I thought I already figured out their tricks and was prepared to say no. “Here try some”, said the nice man at the store. Who am I to argue? I found myself purchasing another $200 worth of stuff I probably did not need, but I couldn’t say no:

Although the fruit was quite appealing, watching the seller stand there with a cigarette and ashes dropping was not:

The cakes at this store were to die for. I watched my daughter buying there and what struck me was the fact that the seller has his hand covered with protective plastic yet he never took it off when picking up the cakes and exchanging the money. Oh well, it tasted too good to worry about it:

Perhaps not the most sophisticated method of transportation but it was quite effective to transfer the bread on the cart to the stores:

The open market was a place where several suicide bombers previously attacked and killed many shoppers. You would not know or feel that, walking the streets of the market today. But suddenly, at one place of the market, we see a huge crowd of people gathering watching something with great interest while taking pictures with their cell phones. When i asked one of them what is going on, he tells me that they found a suspicious suitcase. I don’t get it. What is it that intrigues people to put themselves in harms way for a quick thrill? Luckily it turned out to be nothing and we returned to our shopping spot.

I observed so many interesting people doing their business:

Among them was even this Jerusalem beauty selling at her clothing store:

And of course my own family beauty, my wife, daughter and son-in-law:

I met this awesome guy and started a great conversation with him. He immediately cut up some fruit for us to taste:

He then told me that he loves to sing so I put him to the test. I took out my new Flip Video gadget and started to record. (See my next post to view it)
He did not believe me that this amazing gadget is a video camera, so I let him watch his own recording and promised him that I will upload it onto YouTube:

We had to say goodbye to this marvelous place and as we were walking out of the market we saw this young kid selling Israeli jelly donuts. Ok, so I had to get just one.

The best part of the day is the fact that it is my daughter’s birthday today. Her neighbor from across the hallway, stopped by with a sign she prepared saying Mazel Tov and welcome Mom and Dad. She was so sweet and also brought with her some flowers and balloons to hang on the door. You guessed right, she made us all take part in helping her hang up the sign on the door and decorate it.

We had a great time and after a terrific dinner we went out to an amazing dessert place to further celebrate. We had everyone sing Happy Birthday in Hebrew and English and as you can see, my daughter is enjoying watching her husband singing. Happy birthday Sharon: