Mikeitz(Genesis 41:1-44:17)
Doing Without Being Told
One night Pharaoh had two dreams that disturbed him greatly. The first dream was of seven thin and ugly cows who were eating seven large, healthy cows. The second dream was of seven thin, wilted ears of grain swallowing up seven healthy and full ears of grain. Pharaoh was desperate to find someone to interpret these dreams, but he couldn't find anyone.
Pharaoh was told that Joseph was successful in analyzing dreams, so he had him summoned. Joseph told Pharaoh that his dreams meant that Egypt was going to have seven years of great abundance, which would then be immediately followed by seven grueling years of famine. After Joseph interpreted these dreams for Pharaoh, Joseph then offered some unsolicited advice and said:
"Now let Pharaoh seek out a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:33)
 
A LIFE LESSON
The only thing Pharaoh asked Joseph to do was to interpret his dreams for him. And then, without ever being asked, Joseph went on to advise Pharaoh on just how he to deal with the impending situation.
Most people standing before a king would only do what he or she was told, and nothing more. It is a unique person who identifies a problem and who also has the courage to actually come up with a solution and verbalize it.
There's so much to do, fix, and change in the world and there certainly isn't a shortage of people who can point out all of the problems that exist. They're only too excited to share their negative thoughts with anyone who'll listen. But how many of these people will just as eagerly and readily offer up solutions? Very few.
The tendency to be problem-oriented and not solution-oriented usually parallels our own lives. It's not that we proactively choose to focus on negative things (although a lot of people do just that), but negativity and problems are just the default thoughts for our brain.
Our minds can be likened to a garden - whatever seed you plant in a garden, that seed will grow. But if don't plant anything in the garden, then weeds grow in abundance. Our minds work the same way. Absent of our thinking of productive thoughts, our minds will naturally drift toward something negative and unproductive.
People who are moving and growing tend to have many positive and productive thoughts while those who are stuck and not moving will usually focus only on negative thoughts.
There's a surefire way to instantly rid yourself of negative, unproductive, and unhealthy thoughts. Since our brain is capable of having only one thought at a time, focus on a positive future, be action-minded, and work each day toward meaningful objectives.
We live in a world where people love to point out all the things that are wrong. Be that rare person who offers up concrete answers and will even commit to being a part of the solution. This can easily be achieved once you plant productive seeds in your mind which are then certain to yield a large and full crop of productive and happy thoughts. And this will make you want to go out there and change the world. 

Has it been a while since you attended a traditional Friday Night Service? I know how tough and uncomfortable it might be to come and attend a service having little or no background. That's why we created FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE, to break down those barriers. Friday Night Live is anything but a traditional service. Please, join us next Friday night for a little praying, a little singing, refreshments and LOTS of inspiration! Its FREE and I strongly encourage you to bring friends and family. Men and women can sit together as we collectivly welcome the Sabbath.
 
The entire program will last approximately 45 minutes. During that time we will focus on the primary prayers in Hebrew and English in an exciting, interactive format. It is my hope that you will not only find the service interesting, entertaining and useful, but that you will leave the service with a deeper appreciation of the beauty of your Jewish heritage. Finally if you would like to join me and my family or another local family for a Shabbat Dinner, please let me know and I will gladly work that out.
 
The program will begin on Friday, December 4th at 6:00 pm in the Social Hall at Boca Raton Synagogue, 7900 Montoya Circle N., Boca Raton , FL 33433.
 
*please note that the main parking lot is closed on the weekend, but the grass lot, to the right of the synagogue is always open.

Do you have Jewish friends that work at your Law Firm, Accounting Firm or a Medical Practice?  I would be happy to teach a regular series of classes to them during lunch at the office. You can't even imagine how easy it is to set up a lunch and learn, all you need to do is contact me for more information. Lunch has never tasted so good.