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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
March 29, 2005
/ 18 Adar II, 5765
Bridging the Gap between Mind and Heart
By
Jonathan D. Schick
How can we account for the incredible gap between the noble and the immoral? And while it is true that "most people" aren't faced with such extreme cases, all humankind face contradictions between their true beliefs and their everyday actions
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
In the classic film "Chinatown", Noah Cross, a corrupt powerbroker, is confronted with a terrible sin he had committed years ago. Instead of contrition, he brazenly declares:
"I don't blame myself. You see, most people never have to face the fact that at the right time and right place, they're capable of doing almost anything."
What is truly fascinating about this quote is that within a different context, it could be taken to mean an entirely opposite idea. A human being, endowed with a divine soul, can indeed do "almost anything" ennobling, wondrous and life-changing. We are indeed capable of greatness.
Yet, the human soul is a study in paradoxes. And, sometimes these paradoxes are extreme: In the case of Noah Cross, he at first displays paternal compassion for his daughter, and then commits an unspeakable crime against her.
How can we account for the incredible gap between the noble and the immoral? And while it is true that "most people" aren't faced with such extreme cases, all humankind face contradictions between their true beliefs and their everyday actions.
The answer lies in the ability to bridge the gap between one's mind and heart. One may intellectually, even passionately, believe in a certain value or ideal. Yet, if this belief isn't fully integrated into one's heart, the seat of emotions, one's actions may fall short of one's ideals.
A recent news item told of an ethics lecturer, who, promptly after finishing his discourse, headed to a brothel using a stolen credit card.
The 19th century philosopher Rabbi Yisrael Salanter pithily stated that "the distance between the mind and the heart is greater than the distance between the ends of the earth."
Simply put, knowledge is one thing, putting it into action is quite another. The speeding driver knows that she is at greater risk for a serious accident, but that awareness only penetrates the heart after the accident takes place.
Thankfully, there are less dangerous ways to change the pattern of one's behavior, to bridge that chasm between mind and heart, intellect and emotion.
One way is through introspection. Spending a mere 15 minutes of one's day in quietude, reviewing one's overarching values and charting a course for tomorrow.
The ethical leader possesses a depth of meaning and purpose that infuses his day with focus. Although invariably there will be slight derailments between mind and heart, a consistent daily time of reflection can bridge the gap.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in uplifting articles.
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Jonathan D. Schick is the founder and director of The GOAL Project. He is a dynamic leadership consultant and nationally known speaker. He holds an appointment as adjunct professor at the University of North Texas, and is a frequent lecturer at the Center for Nonprofit Management in Dallas. Comment by clicking here.
© 2005, Jonathan D. Schick
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