Is this a dvar? No. It is a response to the many texts, whatsapps and messages of concern.
Today we continued the sanity plan:
- Some volunteering
- Exercise
- Calls and messages with friends and family
- Distraction
In Jerusalem there were no red alerts today. Tel Aviv had a few (my phone app is set to my home neighborhood there -- it yelps when there is an alert). Friends in Tel Aviv report that it is a ghost town. Everything but food shops closed. Here in the Baka/Rehavia/Talpiot area of Jerusalem about half of things are open, including: Pizza; Produce and even some salons. There is light traffic.
Emotional equilibrium is various. The supermarket is full of tired faces. From the stress, folks aren't sleeping well. People are starting to go to funerals. Others are setting up data rooms to track missing family members.
Today I went for a walk, did an hour of Zoom yoga, and helped in a cafe-turned-sandwich-factory. Walked in and said "What can be done?" Was told to wash hands, find gloves, and help crack 100 eggs. Did that. Then went to a family dinner. Was called by an old friend and a kid. Played some guitar. Made pesto (with a food processor I find... less than ideal).
Here is the sandwich factory:
(These are “fancy” omelette-in-a-baguette sandwiches.)
Thought of the day: Years ago, many years ago (I was 19?) I heard a speaker. He wasn't talking about conflict. Or international relations. He was talking about sales. How to be a more effective salesperson. I remember nothing of the event except for the setting and one line from his motivational talk:
Know your enemies well, for it is them you become most like.
This is explored in books like Ender’s Game and Colossus. The Raf corollary: Choose your enemies well. Manage the influences on your future self.