As a student (and co-author) of The Holistic You, I try to balance the various important sections of my life, my personal 5Fs: faith, family, finances, friendships and fitness. Of course, that doesn’t mean dividing my day, week, month, or year into five equal sections. It means keeping a mental diary and making sure that each area is receiving enough attention.
Sometimes, of course, one part of our life needs almost our full focus and other parts need to take second—or fifth—place. We may be overflowing with prayers of gratitude after the birth of a baby, but those prayers will be uttered by an exhausted mom between feedings and diaper changes. Starting a new job may require missing a close friend’s celebration, while we may need to turn down a career opportunity in order to nurture our marriage. We can face conflict even within each of the five categories. How many of us are tugged between the needs of our children and our parents, or among the demands of individual children and the whole family’s well-being? Our lives become juggling acts and some of the spinning plates on sticks can start wobbling alarmingly and unexpectedly.
I am at such a point now. One of our daughters is facing a health crisis. My role as her mother and my identity as grandmother to her children is my focus. In clearing my days to be available for these duties. I will be taking a hiatus from this column for the next few weeks. I don’t do this lightly. I have written my Musings for over ten years and rarely missed a week. I love sharing my thoughts with you and so many of you reply with your own ideas in the comment section or when we (used to) meet in public.
If time and energy allow, I may post sporadically or our wonderful team may rerun some previous years’ Musings. I didn’t want to ‘disappear’ without letting you know what’s going on. We have seen “hugs” from God already and we are confident that He is in control and guiding our family through this challenge.
Thank you for your prayers and warm wishes.
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God bless you and your family. I’m praying for your daughter, her children and that God will strengthen you.
Thank you, Cynthia. We can feel the prayers surrounding all of us.
I can’t explain how much I have grown from listening to you and Rabbi Lapin through the years. I appreciate and value everything you have done for me and my family. Sending prayers to your daughter and your entire family!
Thank you so much, Chrissey,
We appreciate your kind words and your heartfelt prayers. Enjoy the current issue of Thought Tools https://rabbidaniellapin.com/copper-sky-and-iron-earth/
Blessings,
RDL
My prayers and best wishes go out to you. (I am another who still to this day misses your Sunday morning KSFO show.)
Thank you Mark,
I too miss the old KSFO terrestrial radio show but I hope you now listen to the podcast….Oh Mark don’t say it ain’t so! You do, right? https://rabbidaniellapin.libsyn.com/
I have come to greatly enjoy the podcast medium now that we have such a large international audience.
Cordially
RDL
Hugs & Prayers from the McFie Family.
Thank you so much you special people,
We appreciate being in your prayers and so hope to see you in the not too distant future
Cordially
RDL
Shalom Dear Susan,
We are in your corner!!
Take time to focus on immediate priorities, dear Susan. You’ll know when the time is right to widen your circle to include more.
I will be praying for you and your family.
So sorry to hear of this. Am praying that all will be well.
I wish you, your daughter and the rest of your family strength, healing, and a modicum of peace in the difficult times ahead secure in the knowledge that He will never leave your side or forget you.
Praying for your daughter and family, Praying for you all I enjoy and have learned so much from you and Rabbi Lapin .
Prayers from the heart for your daughter, for you and the entire family.
Makes perfect sense to focus on your top priority and put rest on ‘hold’ when the need is great. I’m sure several of your ‘greatest hits’ would still be relevant if rerun here!
Good for you Susan,
This is one of your best lessons yet. FAMILY.
We may have a need and want to save the world but family is number one.
I feel very strong about taking care of family. If we can’t take care of our own family’s than we can not help others very well. God put in my heart long ago that family here on earth and in heaven is the highest and most important life lesson we can learn. That’s the whole reason to have families.
That man and woman are one together and one with God. Together no force on earth can tear it apart.
Happy Sabbath and Blessing to all your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Sorry to hear of this difficulty.
HEALING HUGS AND PRAYERS
My prayers are with you, and your daughter.
I am so sorry to hear that your daughter is having a health crisis. I will miss your musings, but you are right in putting your family first at this time. My prayers are with her and your family. Our God is a great God, and he will not forsake us in times of need.
God bless you and your daughter in her health challenges!
Love and prayers from the Ziglar family.
Thank you so much, Tom, my friend,
Good to know you’re there and praying.
We cherish your friendship,
Susan and Daniel Lapin
Love and prayers 🙏
Prayers for healing and be well🙏
Prayers to your daughter and family.
Sounds wise and right even though I enjoy your musings. Praying for your daughter’s health and you as you switch roles to help her.
Daddy, as a Happy Warrior, I stand with my Rabbi, Rabbi Lapin, and his Family during this trying time. Our Daddy in Heaven, we’re so thankful for doing what no man can do, for this family so that this too shall come to pass with uncommon testimony!
I wish your daughter excellent health 💙
Your columns make my day, Susan, and I am wishing God speed for you and your family as you power through a beloved daughter’s health challenges. We send prayers and will await good news when you can share. God bless and be well.
Good luck and God’s strength and grace to you.
I will hold you and your entire family in our prayers. Thank you for letting us know. You are an inspiration to me and all women who seek to move toward G-d. Much Love.
So very sorry for this, will be praying
for your family.
I pray for healing and peace for your daughter.
Please take care of yourself and may Hashem bless you and your entire family! I thank Hashem for the lessons and wisdom both you and Rabbi Daniel give and am grateful that you both have been in my life for over 15 years (I first learned about Rabbi Daniel from his radio show on KSFO).
Happy Purim!
Thank you Martin–
Means a lot to us.
KSFO? That is a few moons ago! Hope you now hear the weekly podcast https://rabbidaniellapin.libsyn.com/
Cordially
RDL
My heart goes out to you, your daughter, and her family. I will keep her in my prayers.
Prayers for healing and strength to your daughter and strength, wisdom and comfort to the whole family. Take care. I love your “musings.”
Patty
My prayers are with you and your family.
May your followers be a blessing and support to you and your family as you have been to us.
With great respect and gratitude!
Peggy
🙏 Prayers for you and your family. I hope all will be well…..
I wish you, your family and especially your daughter well. Indeed your focus is where it should be. I love your columns and never miss them. I look forward to your return and especially your daughter’s recovery.
I am praying for your daughter’s return to health and for her whole family. Take care, Susan.
Dear Susan: We have already been praying for sweet girl for healing and health, and for wisdom for the doctors. All our best wishes and love, Dale and Deb
Prayers for your daughter, her family and your family. May you feel God’s love.
Susan, my prayers and heart go out to you. My son is facing liver failure. He has two sons.
It is difficult when it’s one of your babies.
I love your musings and will read older ones as well as new. God hugs are awesome.
Prayers for your daughter and the entire family.
I’m not Jewish, so hope it’s ok to say-
Shalom.
Dear, dear Susan,
As one who faced my own health crisis this past year, I can testify to the blessings of a mother’s presence in the midst of trial. God bless you, and God bless your daughter. It was her help with my children that was especially appreciated.
I am praying for your daughter to get well and for God to give you and your family strength, peace and faith as you journey through this. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace.
I will keep your family in my prayets daily
May God’s loving-kindness remain with you all.
Praying for your daughter’s complete healing. Blessings to you and your beautiful family. He is our strength and our salvation.
Sorry to hear this… always look forward to your take on things… I pray the health crisis will be dealt with and soong pass!
Prayers for you and your daughter.
I pray for the healing of your daughter and for your family. Also for the wisdom and knowledge of her healthcare providers. Your musings are always insightful but this time off is important for you and your family.
My Prayers and thoughts are with you and your family Susan, I hope your daughter recovers. God bless.
Praying for your daughter, her family, and for you and Rabbi Lapin.
Praying for all of you, Susan…love, Laurie