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Living a Life that Matters
Living a Life that Matters | Harold S. Kushner
6 posts | 3 read | 1 to read
In this bestselling work of spiritual advice, the beloved author shows how even our smallest daily actions can become stepping steps toward integrity. Drawing on the stories of his own congregants, on literature, current events and, above all, on the Biblical story of Jacob (the worldly trickster who evolves into a man of God), Rabbi Harold S. Kushnerauthor of When Bad Things Happen to Good Peopleaddresses some of the most persistent dilemmas of the human condition: Why do decent people so often violate their moral standards? How can we pursue justice without giving in to the lure of revenge? How can we turn our relationships with family and friends into genuine sources of meaning? Persuasive and sympathetic, filled with humanity and warmth, Living a Life That Matters is a deeply rewarding book.
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ScientistSam
Living a Life that Matters | Harold S. Kushner
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This gentle book helps one to take time out of our busy lives to think about how our small actions can make the world a better place.

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SqueakyChu
Living a Life that Matters | Harold S. Kushner
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“God is not found in people; God is found between people. When you and I are truly attuned to each other, God comes down and fills the space between us so that we are connected, not separated.”

The chapter about friendship in this book is truly beautiful.

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SqueakyChu
Living a Life that Matters | Harold S. Kushner
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“When we thirst for revenge, it isn‘t really revenge we‘re after. We‘re looking to reclaim the sense of power and dignity that was stolen from us. If there were a less morally tainted way of feeling empowered when we confront our adversary, if we could claim power over him without having to hurt him, most of us would be satisfied with that.”

Your thoughts?

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SqueakyChu
Living a Life that Matters | Harold S. Kushner
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“The prospect of getting even is seldom worth what it does to us as people. It has been said that we should try to rise above the wish for revenge, not to be saintly but to be sensible. Life is too precious to be wasted on hatred. But we all know how hard it is to follow that advice.”

Makes sense to me! However, life‘s events can be so trying at times.

SqueakyChu So far in this book, I find that Rabbi Kushner gives good, sound advice. 6y
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SqueakyChu
Living a Life that Matters | Harold S. Kushner
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“It is important to remember, though we don‘t often stop to reflect on it, that only good people feel guilty. Evil people rarely feel guilty. They deny, they justify, they rationalize, they blame others without accepting their share of responsibility. Only morally sensitive people struggle with the gap between who they are and who they know they ought to be.”

SqueakyChu I picked up this book to try to make more sense of those people in my own government whom I find morally reprehensible. I hope I‘ll find some comfort in this book (which was written and published by a rabbi in 2001), but I‘m not sure I will. (edited) 6y
22 likes1 comment
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SqueakyChu
Living a Life that Matters | Harold S. Kushner
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In these times, I sought a book of comfort. This book called out to me. I don‘t know how religiously committed I am, but my “heroes are models of compassion rather than competition” as well. How about you?

Cinfhen Nice❤️ 6y
SqueakyChu ...although I do have to add that I‘m now really enjoying the competitive spirit of my local professional soccer team, DC United. 😃 Go Black and Red!!🖤❤️ 6y
SqueakyChu Thinking about what I just said, I also see compassion in my team. They do charitable projects. They play competitively, but they shake hands before matches and trade shirts after matches. I guess, and this is what Rabbi Kushner also says, both of these need to be in balance. (edited) 6y
13 likes3 comments