Amid all my own writings during these High Holidays about how we might move forward in our lives, I still get profoundly inspired by others on how to live a good life. In this case, it came in a “living will” from a past-president and great friend of Temple Shalom, who sadly left this world in recent weeks. Jo Ann Greisman led a brilliant life and will leave indelible memories. As part of her legacy, she put into writing some amazing teachings that were shared at her funeral, what she called as a “compass for living” – a list that Jo Ann whimsically described as a reflection on her life’s failures and modest successes. I’d like to offer her list to the rest of the world, edited slightly for length.
  1. Set a goal, even if it is just for this moment, take aim and make an effort. Success is standing defiantly after every failure and making an effort once more.
  2. Hunger for knowledge, no matter what your age. Learning opens doors to new perspectives, new ideas, new possibilities. It is a means to connecting with the world and seeing in others who are superficially different from ourselves, the astounding similarities.
  3. Let music imbue you with a euphoria for living. Dance a little or a lot every day, as if your life depends upon it. Sing with glorious exuberance, even if you are off key.
  4. Laugh a lot, at your own foibles, at the difficulties of life. It will lighten the load.
  5. Be kind to yourself, to your children, and to others, to the stranger, for once we were all strangers.
  6. Be social for we are intrinsically social creatures. And be gracious. It can’t hurt!
  7. See and live in technicolour. And then you will appreciate the awesome nature of this world and the people who inhabit it.
  8. 8. Stand up for yourself! You are awesome! Be your own best advocate.
  9. Make your life matter… care for others and live with panache. Do something good and positive each and every day, no matter how small it may seem.
  10. Choose Life! Live authentically and fully. Be yourself, share who you are. In some small way, appreciate the miracle of life every day!
May Jo Ann Greisman’s name always be for a good memory. Shabbat shalom. Rabbi Allan