I teach entrepreneurship at Hofstra in the evenings and just started another class last week. Each class is filled with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds from matriculated students to single working Moms. As I start every semester, every student stands and describes their business idea and what they would like to get out of the class.  

The expression is “Let a smile be your umbrella” and it is profound. To smile is to appear pleasant and agreeable.  That’s a powerful social tool.

What goes around comes around — whether you know it or not.

There is nothing like a hardy, breathless bout of laughter to reset life. Sometimes we get caught up in the seriousness of life; our duty to family, our commitment to professional obligations and making smart choices that we miss the opportunity to laugh our butts off. Whenever I’m in need of a good belly laugh, I call my mom. We have code words and catchy phrases that produce instant giggle fits; the kind that make your eyes water and have you gasping for breath. I need more laughter in my life. Who’s your go-to for a dose of the good medicine??

  One of my favorite observances during the holidays is a ceremony called Tashlich, the ceremonial casting of the sins. For this ceremony, we gather together at a body of water to throw away our sins of the past year and make some commitments for the new year. Part of the tradition is to throw old bread in the water.

  I often find it interesting as to where the comments on my blog will take the discussion. Recently, the comments to a blog I wrote about fast food centered on the merits of coffee in the morning. While the topics may be somewhat related, it is not the direction I expected the discussion to go.  

The Jewish New Year starts this eve. Looking forward to gathering with close family at “Grand Junction” for dinner. It follows another eventful week. Marisa and I saw the deGrominator lock in a second straight Cy Young Award with his performance last Wednesday at Citifield where the polar bar hit #51 (on the way to tying Aaron Judge Friday and surpassing his rookie record HR record last night).

About 15 years ago I started eliminating gluten and dairy from my diet. It was mighty difficult considering my affection for cheese and fresh, warm bread plus the total lack of products available.