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Wrapping up an Incredible Year

Tuesday, 30 December 2014
Leslie
Jewish Luck Blog
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4 Comments

I don't like endings .  When I was a little girl I always left a bite of food on my plate much to my Dad’s chagrin.  I still tarry over the last few pages of a good book, not wanting it to be over. When a TV series I’ve been watching comes to a close, I grieve.  So you see, there’s no way I would have finished writing Jewish Luck without my sister, Meryll, grabbing it away from my clutching grip declaring “We’re finished.” 

So, of course I want to hold onto this past year for awhile longer. Based upon the 72 facebook contacts who wished me a happy birthday last week, I may be at the apex of my popularity. My kids were kind enough to remind me that my mom is likely more popular than me so I may still be on the ascent.

I thought this would be a good time to reflect on what I have learned this year.

First, I’ve overcome my performance anxiety.  When I first began teaching psychology, I went to my classroom a few days before to give the lecture to an empty hall until my nerves settled. Meryll and I share a private experience each time we speak of each other’s nonverbals and it is a lot of fun. We can revel in our different styles and people recognize the dynamic.  As I said Saturday to the older sibs “I am your worst nightmare” referring to being nonlinear, spontaneous and often off topic. When I’ve had to speak alone, inevitably a family member or high school friend shows up to give me that same feeling of support. I still have the sense that I’m climbing up to the high dive with some trepidation, but it is also exhilarating as I dive in. 

Second, my grandmother used to say “If you’re lonely, invite people over.”  In other words she couldn’t understand why anyone wouldn’t have friends.  She moved to small towns in Pennsylvania, Mississippi and Wales without complaint to follow her husband’s job opportunities.  Wherever she went, she established a community of friends with ease.  Maybe it was the mandelbrodt or the apple pie (see Meryll’s recipes).   Now, wherever we have spoken,  I feel that we are among friends.  On Sunday, we visited a home in Tustin, CA, where I would have loved to linger to admire the Orange County view and to have a chance to get to know our readers better and hear their own stories.

La Jolla, L.A., NYC, Columbus,Ohio; Virginia Beach, Princeton, Denver, Modi’in, Tustin, CA;  These are some of the places where I spoke about our book.  Meryll accompanied me to a number of these locales and has an itinerary of her own including Omaha, Phoenix and Beersheva.  These now are not just places on a map, but communities where we feel a sense of belonging thanks to the warm welcomes we received. 

Third, books don’t sell themselves.  Sometimes I feel like Meryll and I are pedaling a cart with a banner “Books for Sale.”  We’d like to thank our Southeast sales managers Helene and Arthur Rosenfeld and our West Coast sales manager, our Mom, Renee Levine, who considers it the perfect gift for everybody, and I’ve already mentioned her popularity.  Thanks to our readers who have bought it new from Amazon or Magers & Quinn, ordered it from their bookstore, or recommended it to others.  It makes all the difference!

Fourth, when you write a book, people will ask “what are you doing next?”  This is a far more interesting question to ask my sister than me.  What I’m doing next is going to work and trying to stay caught up with my clients and do the best I can for them.  I’m going to try to stay current with my EMDR literature (check out EMDR therapy if you’re interested in PTSD treatment) and have conversations with my husband.  What I’m doing next is trying to bask in the now and not miss anything.  Oh, yes and I’ll try to continue writing a couple blogs a month and a book review every other month for this site.

So there’s a just a little time left in this year, and then I’ll have to let go of the most momentous year of my life. Thanks to all of you and to my husband Harry and kids, Maya and Isaac, for taking this ride with me!

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About the author

Leslie

Leslie

  http://morejewishluck.com
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Leslie Levine Adler, PhD visited Russia in the summer of 1976 as part of her undergraduate Russian Studies program. She returned in 1977 to pursue her friendships from the previous summer. After teaching ESL at university, she became a psychologist.

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Comments 4

Guest - Bruce on Monday, 05 January 2015 17:36

Leslie: your year and your great success as an author with your sister have been thrilling to watch. And quite inspiring on many levels. So, thanks.

Also, as for endings, if you ever want to see a movie that may help with that, watch "The Cup." It's about some Tibetan monks living in exile and, in particular, one monk's desire to see the World Cup's final. The movie's end (naturally) speaks to endings.

Thanks again for sharing your life and wisdom with us.

1 Cancel Reply
Leslie: your year and your great success as an author with your sister have been thrilling to watch. And quite inspiring on many levels. So, thanks. Also, as for endings, if you ever want to see a movie that may help with that, watch "The Cup." It's about some Tibetan monks living in exile and, in particular, one monk's desire to see the World Cup's final. The movie's end (naturally) speaks to endings. Thanks again for sharing your life and wisdom with us.
Cancel Update Comment
Leslie on Sunday, 01 February 2015 12:45

Bruce, this is an example of Jewish Luck connecting us with so many important people in our lives. That way there don't have to be endings. Thanks for the tip. I will watch it.

0 Cancel Reply
Bruce, this is an example of Jewish Luck connecting us with so many important people in our lives. That way there don't have to be endings. Thanks for the tip. I will watch it.
Cancel Update Comment
Guest - Bonnie on Sunday, 01 February 2015 11:59

Leslie, I LOVE this - I am just catching up on 2014, now that it is Feb 2015. I love how I hear your real voice when I read your personal reflections. Thanks for sharing!!

1 Cancel Reply
Leslie, I LOVE this - I am just catching up on 2014, now that it is Feb 2015. I love how I hear your real voice when I read your personal reflections. Thanks for sharing!!
Cancel Update Comment
Leslie on Sunday, 01 February 2015 12:44

Bonnie, thank you for listening to my real voice and for giving me you own!

0 Cancel Reply
Bonnie, thank you for listening to my real voice and for giving me you own!
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"Truly, you have written a story that makes accessible the reality of existence in Russia, through the eyes of individuals who lived through the various regimes and dictates.  It is fascinating and very well told.  As I read Vera and Alla's story, I learned more Russian history than I had known from a textbook.  That's a big deal, women!  You tell the tale with vivid detail and hook us on the two women and their stories, then weave in the history to illuminate their journeys. It is such a necessary book.  I am thrilled that the two of you collaborated, as I can see the uniqueness of your personalities come through in the stories, and that, too, makes the book a gem."
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