Strength for the Weary - A Business of Soul Reflection at 35,000 Feet

I woke up this morning to the alarm I had confidently set for 5:00am, ready to catch my 7:00am flight from Dallas to JFK.

Only… it was 4:00am.

Classic move. Wrong timezone, wrong clock.

The night before had ended late—wrapping up the final reception of MMSSC with colleagues and friends. After catching up on emails, capturing a few thoughts, and finishing my daily Torah study (Chitas: Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya), I finally turned in.

As I stood in front of the hotel bathroom mirror, I did not like what I saw. Bloodshot eyes. Puffy bags. I looked exactly how I felt: exhausted.

It was too early for full morning prayers (they begin after sunrise), but I used the time to recite the Birchot HaShachar—the morning blessings—and to reflect.

One line stood out:

“Blessed are You, Hashem… Who gives strength to the weary.”

We say it every day. But today it felt personal.

I thought about what lay ahead: a flight to New York to reunite with my wife for the engagement of our dear friends’ son—a young man we’ve known since the day he was born. Bright, driven, funny, kind—a mensch in every way. We’d also be celebrating our oldest son’s 20th birthday.

Suddenly, despite the weariness, I felt a shift.

Anticipation gave way to gratitude. The fatigue didn’t vanish—but it was overtaken by the energy that comes from love, connection, and purpose.

There’s an old saying:

“No rest for the weary.”

But sitting on the tarmac, eyes still puffy, I was reminded: weariness is often just a mindset.

Sure, I should sleep more. Travel less. And maybe stick to one tequila shot instead of two. But even in exhaustion, there’s strength when we pause and smile at the blessings around us.

Because the blessing isn’t just about physical rest—it’s about spiritual rejuvenation.

A Soul Benefit.

It’s the surge we receive when we tap into gratitude and open ourselves to the infinite potential seeded in every moment.

And you know what? A little smile softens everything. Suddenly, nothing is hideous.

---

Wishing you the blessing of renewed strength—in your life, your work, and your Business of Soul.

Mazel Tov to Yaya and his bride-to-be.

May your lives be filled with joy, growth, abundance, and love.

Simcha and Chaya Esther—may you continue to enjoy Nachas (Jewish speak for “Heaven on Earth”). We love you and are thrilled to celebrate this moment with you.

Melvin, you make us proud every day.

Mazel Tov on the big 2–0.

As my father would say in Yiddish:

“Chap arayn der yunger yoren, az der yoren loifen.”

(Savor your younger years—because the years run quickly.)

---

Now I’m going to try to catch a little shut-eye…

…before I savor that single (but substantial) tequila shot tonight.

Mazel Tov!