Living isn't as easy as it sounds

By Moryt Milo

I don't consider myself a religious person in the practicing sense. I don't observe my faith on the weekends. But there are certain holidays and practices, which hold a great deal of importance to me. Whether this is a result of cultural upbringing, a need to feel connected or just plain old guilt, it's an issue I stopped debating long ago. Over time I've discovered feeling comfortable comes from what you might call a blended approach. Simply put, I do what feels right and don't box myself into the "one way is the only way" form of thinking.

Of course many in my faith, as in other faiths, would hear this philosophy and scoff at it, saying, "If you don't believe in a definitive approach, you can't be a real Jew, Christian, Catholic or whatever faith you are born to."

My response is simple: That's what got us all walking away to begin with. Instead, each needs to find what works whether it's traditional or not.

It is also why I go to synagogue for the Jewish New Year. It is a holiday I strongly believe in. Why? Well, for starters, it's a holiday that allows me to sit quietly and reflect. Something we never allow ourselves to do anymore. Second, I am comfortable with the holiday's predominate message: Think about all you have done this year (the good, the bad, the indifferent) and how you can be a better person next year. Something I wish I could get myself to do on a daily basis.

So, as I sat down on the holiest of holidays, in a conservative synagogue, doing a very traditional thing, the last thing I expected to hear was a sermon on near death experiences. My jaw dropped as the rabbi began citing books by Dr. Raymond A. Moody and Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross (both universally known for their medical studies in the field). Then he talked about rabbis who had spoken to people claiming to have had near death experiences. And how these experiences, whether we accept them or not, could apply to us.

And I'm thinking, "Wow, am I in the right place? Did I walk into some New Age Cathedral by mistake?" Just when I think my religion is about to launch itself into another dimension, the rabbi dramatically says that, even if all the studies on near death experiences are true, we should never use that as an excuse for not seizing the moment. We should take each day and treat it as if it were our last. The rabbi closes by saying these people also claim that upon death they are given a review of their lives. If this is so, then we should carefully consider all our actions.

How in the world do we accomplish this? How does a person live each day as if it were their last? Honestly, I don't think it's possible. Aside from those claiming to have had some sort of epiphany, the only people who can truly do this are folks who had some sort of life-shattering event, such as a near-fatal car crash, heart attack, terminal illness, or come out of a war-torn country. But for the average person, I can't fathom how we could even relate to the meaning of this statement.

On a more practical note there is something we could do each day. It's universal in nature and doesn't effect our religious background or belief systems. We could simply make an honest attempt at doing one nice thing a day. It's a realistic goal and guaranteed to make us feel good. And it doesn't have to be a big thing. It can be as simple as making eye contact with a stranger and smiling. Hugging your children. Allowing someone to merge in your lane on the freeway. Or offering help to someone who appears lost.

If we did just one nice thing a day, it would definitely add up over time. Imagine if we all took up the chant. Who knows what could happen? And then perhaps, when our time is up, all those little things will help us feel a whole lot better when it comes to that life review.

Photo: Bay Area Siberian Husky Club first aid class

Moryt Milo: Living isn't as easy as it sounds

Local artists to take part in Christmas in the Studio

Police Blotter

Sports Briefs

High school football

Crystal Springs Center Cross Country Meet