In our previous article, we laid down the groundwork for our underlying question of “Why don’t people become great?” We discussed the importance of developing an empowering identity that clarifies the path towards achieving our unique greatness and inspires us to begin the journey. However, even among those of us who have a clear path and genuinely want to achieve our greatness, many never begin the journey because of three common reasons:

A student once asked me what my favorite part of the school day was. With no hesitation, I answered, “Recess, of course!” The boy chuckled. “That’s just because rebbe likes to play soccer, right?” At this point his smile was ear-to-ear and his face was beaming with delight. I didn’t answer him immediately, but rather smiled, as if to say, “I am cherishing this moment of joking around with you.” His face shone brighter as he noticed my smile. I grabbed his little chin and said, “My favorite part of the day is recess because of the spectacular smile on your face right now! Now get out of here and go run around with your friends!” At this point his shining face broke out into full-on laughter of happiness - a laughter that only children seem to possess.

Medicaid applications for community based long-term care will be subject to a 30-month lookback period, which will be phased in. The implementation of the changes to the law was originally to begin on October 1, 2020, has been pushed back once again, and is now scheduled to begin April 1, 2022. The April 1, 2022 implementation date is due to the extension of the public health emergency. As such, for those who have a long-term care need, and those considering Medicaid planning and applications, it is critical to submit applications prior to April 1, 2022 if at all possible.

Alive for a mere two years, baby Alta bas Avraham a”h was never given a fighting chance. Embroiled in a battle with international governments, the United Kingdom court system pulled the final curtain closed as a decision was made to end life-support for the baby born with irreversible brain damage after being starved of oxygen for over 25 minutes at birth. In her last moments, Alta heard Sheyela Gluck sing songs of chizuk as she managed to breathe for 90 minutes after support was pulled. Alta never made it out of Manchester’s Royal Children’s Hospital.