Like just about every other woman on the planet, Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestselling book..Eat, Pray, Love has become my most recent obsession.

I’ve seen this book almost 20 times the last few weeks, and a few times I actually picked it up, and pondered purchasing it. But for every time I picked it up, I came up with the perfect reason why NOW was not the right time. Last week, on a frantic search around Barnes & Noble for something for my son, I actually walked past the Best Sellers list, and literally, 4 copies fell right off the shelf into my path. (Okay, we all know THAT was a sign)

So, on my way to Raleigh this weekend, there I was in the airport book store, searching for something more than a magazine, but nothing too heavy, and Liz was practically shouting “BUY ME! BUY ME!” So, finally, for the last time, I picked up her newest book, and sunk myself right in. Almost immediately, Liz and I became kindred spirits. Soul sisters. She is me. I am her. We are each other.

I could go on for hours, but one of the most profound lessons I took from this book was the analogy of praying and meditating. Simply, that praying is the act of talking to G-d. Meditating is the act of listening. I have been working on many different methods of meditation, and for a woman with 2 kids, 3 jobs, and a very busy calendar, just getting into the first 10 minutes has been quite challenging. But, I couldn’t agree more that it is in our most silent moments that G-d speaks loudest and strongest to us. The problem is, so many of us today are so subconsciously busy and preoccupied, that even if G-d hit us over the head, we probably wouldn’t realize it ever happened.

I’m only halfway through the book. I just got home from the weekend, and my suitcase is begging to be unpacked, and the house is a mess. But, I just have to get through chapter 72. The suitcase can wait…

I believe firmly that gratitude goes hand in hand with manifestation. The more we want, the more we must be grateful.

The same goes for giving and charity. The more we give, the more we get. Do you ever notice how stingy people are also unhappy with their lot in life? But people who give enthusiastically, freely, and selflessly, are happier, and typically “have” more.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I want to take a moment to remember all of the things I am thankful for, and to create some giving goals for the next few months.

Thanks…..
1. I’m so thankful for my awesome children, Lauren & Trevor. Truly the most precious gifts from G-d, they are my source of inspiration and purpose, every minute of the day.

2. My parents and my sisters. The road to today certainly hasn’t been an easy one, but it’s the best path we have ever been on. I’m so grateful for having them in my life, and the relationship we share.

3. My ex husband. Thank you Wayne, for being you. Whether you know it or not, you play a huge role in my being on this path, and there are some very important lessons you have taught me in life. I will always treasure you – no matter how angry we get at each other.

4. I’m thankful for the voice G-d gave me. I’m thankful that I am sensitive, and sometimes overly emotional. It means I have feelings. And the opposite of that is unthinkable.

5. The roof over my head, the friends in my life, my comfortable car that gets me everywhere, my guitar, the beautiful community I live in, and peace.

6. Air. Food. Mountains. Nature. Highways. Technology. Friends. Chocolate.

7. Courage. Independence. Abundance. Freedom. Satisfaction. My job(s).

8. Tolerance. Understanding. Acceptance. Peace. (Yes, I know I said it already, but it’s important enough to say again)

Thank you, G-d. For all of the blessings you have bestowed on me, thank you.

Giving……

1. I intend to give $500 to a new charity this year. I want to get involved in Pace for Girls to give a young girl a chance to build a life she can be proud of.

2. I intend to give more time to my synagogue, and to champion a cause for Mitzvah Day this spring.

3. I intend to give a family some gifts they wouldn’t have been able to buy for the holiday season this year.

4. I intend to give my time to an Interfaith project locally, in the hopes that it will bring us a step closer to accepting of those who are different.

These are my goals for giving in the next 6 months. I pray that G-d bless me with the strength and resources to give more throughout the year.

To my friends, family, and extended family, I wish you the most wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday season. May you receive abundance and give thanks every day of your life.

I’m so happy you have landed here on my blog. In order to really set myself apart from my peers, I decided to take all my years of customer service into account, and really evaluate (and emphasize) what makes me different – and yes, better. I can’t think of a better way to do that, than to just let the words flow here right from my heart.

So, I’m hoping the real me comes out in my words, and speaks directly to you. Maybe some part of my life, and my passion, will resonate within you. Perhaps you will have the same “aha” moment I have had, and say “YES”! That is exactly how I feel!! Or – maybe not, but one way or another, I am confident that through my words, and the amazing experiences I am able to have – you will see clearly just exactly who I am, and what I stand for.

First and foremost, what I stand for is the amazing connection I feel to my Jewishness. I specifically refrain from using the word Judaism, because that word has its own branding, and what I feel about being Jewish isn’t necessarily what the masses feel when they utter the word, Judaism.

When I consider being Jewish, I consider my very close and personal connection to God, a relationship that has very few rules, just a close understanding, where I don’t even have to talk or think to pray. If I’m simply still, God will know exactly where I am, and what I need, and God knows I’m here for his, and my highest purpose.

One night, while singing on the bimah in my own congregation, my very good friend and mentor, Jerry Cohn said to me..”Do you know that when you sing, Debbi #2 comes and takes over where Debbi #1 was standing”? It happened to be a night that Julie Silver was singing with our choir, and I was completely overwhelmed with emotion.

No, I replied, I had no idea…what do you mean? He said “I can tell that you are in a different place, and you are so happy, and you glow”. He was right, and I have come to learn that that is the place we are in when we are truly in congruence with our deepest passions.

So, I have been blessed to be given the chance to follow my deepest passion, and here it is. I am officially…Your Personal Cantor. Because sometimes the rules of Judaism just don’t fit. But when finding a balance between your Jewishness and Judaism, I can help. I’m so happy to have this chance to do what I do, and I hope you are able to feel my passion as my words unfold on these pages to come. B’Shalom.