That said, we never know if our actions may be the ones that tip the scales for good or for bad. And therein lies the rub.

During a radio interview for CoCreatorRadio (http://www.co-creatornetwork.com/archive_daybegin.htm) yesterday, I was asked if Judaism has a belief that we are all working together towards or connected in some way energetically. I answered that while Jews don’t talk about this idea much, there is this idea that we never know if the mitzvah, or commandment (good deed), we each individually perform will be the one that brings about the World to Come, the time of peace on Earth. In that sense, every action we take is, indeed, important, large and connected to everyone else’s actions. That action may not be bigger or more important than someone else’s action or mitzvah, but it may be the one necessary to create change in the world as we know it.

With that in mind, it’s pretty difficult not to behave consciously, perform good deeds and consider your actions. Indeed, each action may have the same dimension, but on another “dimension” its affect might be huge!

If you want to prepare for Shabbat by moving towards joy, begin by smiling…then laughing. If you are having trouble finding something about which to smile or laugh about, read this post I wrote for my San Jose Jewish Examiner column. It will provide the fodder you need.

(Hint: You’ll find some old Jews telling some old…some new…jokes. No joking.)

May you be blessed withShabbat shalom, sabbat peace and connection, and Shabbat simchah, Sabbath joy!