This post has been written by Elena Gold (my sister).  I am posting it a little late, sorry, she wrote it about a month ago.

Our life is a chance to see the world through a door that gradually opens to only allow us a short glimpse before it closes again, next is in line. And, it seems that traps are set to distract us from the main theme and to engage us in problem solving that prevents us from seeing reality.

I have met a woman in her eighties, who said to me, “I’m getting old and the people I know die. I want to feel the sweetness of life.” She was interested in learning, in change, in shedding the obstacles that obstruct reality. In her eighties! While the door is still open, there was her chance.

I listen to the developing story of bloody clashes in the Ukraine, blood stained bodies lay in the streets, and tears are shed. Right now. It is a beautiful winter outside, the athletes of the world show grace in Sochi, and what is this to a mother whose son is beaten to death today? And how hard will it be for this mother to feel the sweetness of life again? Will she try? Or will she turn into an angry old woman, demanding justice and giving evil looks to young pretty girls parading cherry blossoms of their youth on the streets of Kiev next year?

The sweetness of life is the fair goal in life because only once you feel it, you can understand life and live it by its rules. Once there, it falls into place, harmoniously. As if that state is what is needed to be attuned with the world. As if it is required for the entry and for the hardships to miraculously fall apart. By constitution, we are entitled to pursue happiness. Weighed down by regrets, self-loathing, conspiracies, misplaced expectations, how can we see the light? How can we see the loving eyes of your children? The melting snowflake tickling your nose may be a sweet moment, but you will miss it. Your inner world occupying your full attention disconnects you from a far bigger world that can offer you love. Wake up and connect, reality is there, waiting for you to transform and notice it.

Let’s practice that.

On the Sunny Side of the Street” (1930) is a song with music composed by Jimmy McHugh and lyrics by Dorothy Fields, which was introduced in the Broadway musical Lew Leslie’s International Revue.  This song became a standard and has been performed by many amazing artists.

Grab your coat
grab your hat.
Leave your worries, on
the doorstep.
Just direct your feet
to the sunny side of the street!

Can’t you hear
that pitter-pat? (I hear it!)
And that happy tune
is your steppin’.
Life can be so sweet.
on the sunny side of the street!

I used to walk in the shade.
with those blues on parade.
But he’s not afraid,
this rover crossed over!

And if I never had a cent?
I’d be rich as Rockefeller.
With gold dust at his feet.
On the sunny side of the street!

– Guitar solo –

He used to walk in the shade
with all those blues on parade.
But I could not afraid
this rover crossed over!

And if I never had a cent?
I’ll be rich as Rockefeller.
With gold dust at his feet.
– On the sunny side,
– On the sunny side,
The sunny side of the street!

This video can help you feel this way, it’s a great ted talk that explains a little bit why we don’t feel as happy as we should:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgBs_W5CFnw&feature=youtu.be