it is that time of year again when jews atone for sins committed during the past year.
i dont do this in synogogue… i do it at home.
and at this point i’m not sure about the whole gd thing.
i believe in something. and then i don’t. so conflicted. i remember a time when i wasn’t. and i liked the feeling of having faith. and i envy those who do have a strong faith in gd.
i’m just not one of those people today.
regardless of whether or not i am saying sorry to gd, i like the idea of spending some time thinking about (confronting!) how i’ve behaved this past year.
and i like the idea of feeling like i’ve got a clean slate afterward. even if the slate doesn’t stay clean for very long.
unlike (more) religious jews, i don’t do a complete fast- i drink one cup of coffee today. (according to jewish law, i am supposed to fast till sundown).
if you are fasting and atoning today, may it be quick and easy for you.
xxx
jennifer
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I think water is ok and gum/mints mandatory!
Wait? You don’t have to believe to get a clean slate? Sign me up. I can get by on water today for peace of mind!
I struggle also today….
C
Ditto! Feel the EXACT same way!
Happy belated b-day to Alexis Stewart!! Hoping she had a wonderful b-day and you have a quick and easy fast.
I think it’s easy for you to say you don’t believe in God right now (likely due to the loss of your beloved mother) because deep in your heart you KNOW he is with you. Give yourself a break and know that lashing out at God, if it makes you feel better, is okay too. He’ll be here when you’re ready to look to him for strength again – in the meantime, he will carry you through this painful time.
Best to you!
Are you taking today off for the holiday? I think clean slate would be cleaning the house and trying to rid yourself of bad thoughts and anger. I am going to attempt to do this all week on my vacation and persue a new job. I am really disgusted with my current employer and the crap that they are doing to their long time employees.
Jennifer the most important and valuable gift you can give yourself and others is forgiveness for anything you might have done. Without forgiveness there is no love and without love there is no forgiveness. It is good that you are questioning your faith. I choose to take all the very best things about many religions and look for those qualities in each other. I know this sounds weird but I don’t believe in god I believe in people. I see “god” in everyone and everything. I don’t need a church or synagogue to pratice my belief in human kind.
You CAN’T “do it at home”.
Will you just give up the whole, “I’m a Jew!” thing? You don’t practice any of their traditions, you don’t support them politically, and you don’t believe in religion in general. You’re giving your people a bad rap.
Why do you think God cares about you? Why do you believe in an involved God? Do you have any good argument for your belief besides the fact that someone raised you to think that way? The myth of an involved God is rooted in a self-centered view of the universe. “God cares about ME!” There is probably a higher power, but to assume you could possibly understand its motivations is the product of an immature and uninformed world view. But hey, if it makes you feel better that some invisible man in the sky loves you, and if that makes life more tolerable for you, then keep the blind faith.
I ainta JEw so’s I don’t gotta attone for nuttin…
on the otherhand Jenny….
if I were I would say what SCROOGE SAID:
” Bah HUMBUG”!!!!
You’re in my prayers Jenn.
You’ll be okay.
One day the sun WILL shine and all will be okay.
Sometimes it’s hard to keep the faith, but without it — it’s pure darkness.
Beleive me, Jenn, you’ll be okay. Bunny IS rooting for you — she’ll ALWAYS be there rooting for you.
Keep smiling!
That was a really honest and sweet post. Thank you. I feel the same way.
Look for GOD within and you’ll fine HIM/HER.
There are people literally killing themselves because of this economy. There are young people who will never marry or have children or grow old because they are dying in a wasteland a world away. Be grateful for what you have, not fixated on what you don’t.
Oh my gosh Jen…..you really just need to know that I think as a Christian that we believe that we will see our loved ones again. I know you would love to have some belief that you would see your mom again in another life… lot of people think that is far fletched but some religions are connected in certain ways. Hope this helps because know how much you miss your mom!!!
I am not a religous person, but my husband is. Jenn I understand the loss of a parent, I lost my father when I was 13, and around then is when I lost all faith (among other things that happend around the time). Whats good for the goose, isnt always good for the gander. I have peace in myself, I am a good person, I have good morals and good values. You will either find peace with in yourself, or you’ll find it with a higer power, either way just know you’ll be ok. Not believing in something, doesnt make you a bad person as some would like to believe. Keep your head up hun. Brighter days do come.
I think what matters is that G-d believes in you, Jennifer. The fact that you are questioning things is good. Your honesty is refreshing. Peace!
Hang in there Jennifer! You’ll be fine, and don’t worry about how religious or non religious you are. One of my favorite quotes is, “religion is for those who are afraid of going to hell, spirituality is for those who have been there” It’s all about what’s best for you! Matt
You question your faith and cannot even spell out GOD? For those who are atoning? hope it is quick and easy? That alone says alot about you Jennifer. Everything in life should be quick and easy! Well it is not nor should it be. Growth and inner peace come from the challenges we face each day. You lost your Mother this year Jennifer. One day your children will lose you. The way you spend your time dwelling on the past versus living in the future? is that how you envision your children’s lives once you pass on? Strive to set a better role model for your children, so that they will grow up with the capabilities to handle the ups and downs that is LIFE. And having a strong faith in GOD is what enables us to be more accepting and able.
I think the evidence leans in favor of an intelligent force. It’s not a no-brainer whether or not it is involved or whether its motivations or plans, if they exist,resemble any of those suggested by the any particular religion. That’s a matter of faith, which is a choice made by an individual. Once a person has made the choice to be a faithful believer in a particular force or its level of involvement and motivation, it’s obnoxious (and ignorant) for anyone to assume that person is an idiot based solely on what we humans think we know about the universe. What we KNOW we know is that we know next to nothing. It’s not “a product of an immature and uninformed world view” for one to believe they understand a higher power’s nature if they have chosen to believe something with the awareness that it is indeed a matter of faith. Is it blind? By some definitions, absolutely. Is it immature, uninformed and worthy of the above poster’s condescension? Sometimes but not necessarily. Again, all we know is that humans are beyond dumbasses when it comes to knowledge about any of these questions, and that the dumbest dumbasses of all are the ones who condescend to others about the validity of their particular faith.
From what I have read, Jews don’t spell or say “God” as a sign of reverence. So that might explain why Jen doesn’t type it out. Ease up a little, folks. She doesn’t seem ungrateful. Just a little lost right now. Whether you believe in God or GD or whatever, it really isn’t our place to judge. She doesn’t seem ungrateful, just a little lost right now. We all drop our basket at one time or another, it is up to us as fellow human beings, to help her pick it up.
Ms.Elso, do you have a job? We all KNOW you’re an idiot! I’m sure Princess Jennifer won’t post this, cause you’re her biggest boring ass fan!
Post something new Jen so we can get someone off their long winded soapbox! Love you show!
Ouch, Good God! I hope your name is closer to “Good Grief” than a religious stand point cuz you’re not doing too well of following suit.
Jen, I feel your conflict. I get angry at kids that wave “Jesus Loves You” signs on the street and mutter “They’ll learn” as I drive past. I don’t know much about Judaism but I think everyone hits this wall regardless of your beliefs. Childhood was easy cuz we’ll believe anything. Then “free will” comes in and mucks it all up.
I have at times struggled with the same issue, but it always comes back to the same thing. I really can’t believe that some random explosion or bacteria or whatever created personalities and humor, love, art, and kittens. Thankfully, we’re allowed free will, so believe or not, question or don’t, it’s a choice we’re given. Hope you’re doing okay Miss Hutt!
Did you see the nice shoutout you and Alexis got on this morning’s Wendy Williams show? It was great!
I like this post, down to earth spirituality. If you had it once, it will be there when you need it again.
Well said Trish!!
I must admit, I’m a little tired of “Ms. Elso.” I realize I can opt to just not read her comments, but, even the most casual observer would admit she’s a bit much! We come here to read about what Jennifer and Alexis blog about. Sorry, Ms. Elso, but you need your own blog. Love the show, nevertheless! Cheers, everyone!
Looks like you were wrong, “Good god.” I’m guessing you’re used to it. Jen can post whatever she likes and I’ll still be a fan – because she’ll still be FABULOUS. And don’t worry about my job.
I love Ms Elso. Go Ms Elso! Ms Elso, you rock. Evan, you are wrong wrong wrong! See, “Evan,” any troll can post as many times as they like under different names. You’re not good at it – way too obvious (try being less repetitive).
Good God and Evan.. I get it. I didn’t read her entries before commenting but now I understand. It was just disheartening to see the anger in such a spiritual post.
shana tovah!
Evan, try to be more specific, or should I say more honest. We come here to “comment” on the blog entries and to read others’ comments. You don’t like mine, but you never specify why. They tend to be longer so easier to scroll past, so it must be something else besides length, but you don’t cop to the real reason. I am fairly confident it is that you don’t like that that I criticize the nitpickers and gratuitous attackers, along with commenting on the blog posts themselves. I’m afraid that sucks for you, because I plan to continue. Cheers, everyone!
Ms. Elso’s posts are way over my head. She seems to want to flaunt her intelligence, and she probably doesn’t have a job. An educated dumbass.
Good God and Evan –and a few other aliases?– don’t like Ms. Elso because she speaks the truth and calls them on their bullshit. DUMBASSES!
Jennifer I cannot believe these DUMBASSES come onto YOUR blog to judge and criticize in such condescending ways! Now they are even saying “You are not a Jew” when they clearly do not know WHY you do not spell out the word!
Girl you do it your way and fuck ’em! And may your next year be beautiful if not always easy…
Some of these comments seem harsh, Jen. Just want you to know that someone is rooting for you!
Indeed IMC, it was disheartening to see such unprovoked anger pollute the comments section of such a nicely-expressed and respectful post by Jennifer. Come on, Troll, you’re just not very clever. No real (sane) person would accuse someone of not living up to a religious ideal, then go research an inconsequential anonymous poster’s previous comments, then come back and say “you were right.” LOL. But at least you’re including well-deserved compliments for Lex and Jen in your attacks against Ms. Elso, which makes me happy. Still, your vagueness in your criticism of my neutral to positive remarks is the dead giveaway. You did whine “boring,” yet can’t bring yourself to scroll by them, so that’s not why they disturb you so. Really wish you’d put it into words – we’d all have a good laugh! Love u.
Elso, you’re wordy. Laugh at that. And I never said the word “boring”, I don’t know where you got that from. And for the record I DID scroll past it. I only read it after replying to Good God’s post. End of conversation.
Crap – Lisa in Hawaii is back. Or did she ever leave? Could she be Elso in disguise? Lets see: both write rambling, nonsensical posts; both try to co-op Jennifer and Alexis’s blogs and turn them into their own; and both believe that the voices on the radio are speaking to them exclusively. Coincidence?
Dumbass *if that IS your real name* my posts aren’t over your head. You understand every word and so does everyone else, but at least you were specific, if wrong. I don’t flaunt or hide intelligence, nor do I believe I have more of it than anyone else. I sometimes write more formally than conversationally, but that is merely a matter of style and habit. I said people who believe they are equipped with enough knowledge about the mysteries of the universe to trash someone else’s religious beliefs, or lack thereof, are dumbasses. A pretty straightforward idea in response to attacks against Jennifer for the crime of openly stating her ambivalence, which every human experiences when it comes to religion.
No, they aren’t over our heads, they are self serving and tiresome. Move on.
Jenn – I do not know how you withstand the scrutiny and criticism that comes along with being a public person. I cannot even stand to read the bog comments anymore so I am swearing off them. It hurts too much to read such negative words directed towards you. Even after all these years I feel that I not only know you but I “know” you. The truth you speak (your truth) always connects me to your humanity and I revel in feeling connected to you even if it is only one-way and over a distance. You are a beautiful, smart, sophisticated woman and yet in your words I often hear a glimpse of the little girlfriend that I played with years ago. You have remained very consistent over the years and it makes me smile. I commend you for the brave way you continually express yourself. I pray the positive energy you inspire sustains you over the negative crap that also comes your way. You are so often in my thoughts and I send you and your family lots of love now and always. xo April
This is in response to assorted posts —Oh Good grief. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. The Golden Rule remember that one?. What would Jesus do remember that one? Walk in his footsteps?. Why not live ones life by those few simple rules don’t steal don’t lie don’t kill don’t commit adultery yada yada Be the change you want to see in the world that was Ghandi — there have been people in history that Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk but they don’t preach– Actions speak louder than words– they are Everyday People that lead by example.That is why everyday is a new day a new struggle — this thing called peace of mind will we ever have peace of Mind.?? Perhaps, if you need an attitude adjustment well try an attitude adjustment!!! Can you change people?? You can start with yourself if you can’t change people—- change the way you REACT to them!!!. Recognize what “triggers” your impulse seize the moment and change what you do try like don’t react . See I posted maybe I should not have. Maybe I should have stopped myself. But If this helps on person to pause reflect and listen to the next person well who knows ……
Well put, Ms. Elso and no we are not even related. let alone sharing the same body. I suppose we are like-minded in the sense that we simply “calls ’em as we sees ’em”! Yes, I’ve been here, though silently for the most part. It seems counterproductive to make a negative comment on another’s negativity so I kept it to myself until I saw that “You are not a Jew” crap! WTF!? I have seen a lot of nastiness here but that was the most presumptuous, uninformed troll to comment on this blog in a long time and I could not stop myself!
This is Jennifer’s blog, and she shares what she chooses, leaving herself vulnerable to the likes of that person, Evan and the other no-names –for which I give her credit! TO JENNIFER: you must be a lot more thick-skinned than even you realize if you can do that and I give you props for even posting that ugliness!
The really pitiable part of it all is that these people really believe that their self-appointed judge-and-jury status is deserved! Nonsensical indeed!
“Blog co-opting.” LOL. What a retarded concept. You don’t like being ridiculed for your strange attacks against Alexis and Jennifer. I understand, but you’ll have to get used to it. See, you’d rather try to ruin their day without your special brand of insanity noted by other posters, but it will be (often at length in my case) no matter how much you whine. Really, though, you shouldn’t pretend it’s something like an inadequate level of religious commitment on Jennifer’s part that plagues you so. That’s just silly..
Agree, Lisa. Exactly why I like to respond to the weirdos – I admire Lex and Jen for putting themselves out there in a way that is somewhat risky, particularly for women (genuinely funny but often irreverent comedy). Anyone who does anything outside of a safe zone of conformity is going to be subjected to exactly what happens here – idiots sniping at them every time they exhibit the slightest deviation from the purse-lipped harpy brigade’s accepted (painfully narrow) “norms.” They’ll try to undermine the girls’ morale on dubious grounds because they are envious or threatened in some way by their talent and success. They don’t like being called out, though. How they whine and howl and try to create the appearance that posters who do so or effusively praise the girls are a grave problem. LOL
just keep your heart open and God will help you find your way back, non judging and anxouis to have you back. As unhelpful as it may be many of us have walked a similiar path and time has healed what ailed us.