“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
― E.E. Cummings
This post marks my last blog post for 2016. It seems fitting to look back. It also seems fitting to look forward. Which, puts us squarely in the middle - between the past and the future - you might also say, "living on the edge."
― E.E. Cummings
This post marks my last blog post for 2016. It seems fitting to look back. It also seems fitting to look forward. Which, puts us squarely in the middle - between the past and the future - you might also say, "living on the edge."
This New Year's Eve day also happens to be the day leading into the last night of Hanukkah - the 8th night. Hanukkah being the story of Judah and the Maccabees, a small band of Jewish fighters, who led a successful rebellion against the oppression of the Jews by the Syrian Greeks in the land of Israel in 167 BCE, over 600 years before the birth of Mohammed.
Looking back in history, sheds light on today's present day events. But what does it tell us about the future? After all, much of what we consider in making our New Year's goals is the desires we have to depart from the past. Turning over a new leaf is symbolic of letting go of the past.
We can get stuck in the past. Psychologically it is hard to be in two states at the same time. Five years ago, in 2011, I had to find a way to do just that! And, through that experience I discovered a deeper meaning to the word "hopeful."
In 2011, on the day before Thanksgiving we were told Mary had cancer. And, it was rather serious, not that any cancer isn't. On Thanksgiving, a day devoted to being "thankful" and during a season we associate with joy, I struggled with a paradox - my desire to cherish life and live every moment, versus wanting to fast forward a year to be done with the multiple surgeries, chemotherapy, and weeks of radiation that Mary was to face. As the doctor put it, "It's going to be a very long year!"
In the experience of the months that followed, I came to appreciate more than I ever had, what it was like to live on the edge. I learned to accept a paradox about life.
One can both savor the moment and look forward to the future at the same time. The concept is found in the meaning of the word "hopeful." Hopeful is the present value of the future. Being hopeful provides inspiration for today and optimism for tomorrow. During Rabbi's sermon at last night's Shabbat Candle Light Service, on the 7th Night of Hanukkah, she told a beautiful story about the importance of the symbol of the Light and Hope.
Being hopeful is more powerful than the tradition of simply making a list of your goals. Being hopeful empowers one to achieve your goals! That is because being hopeful turns a goal into a belief. Beliefs are when your mind says a goal, something you haven't actually achieved or don't have yet, is a virtual reality. Our brain operates differently when you believe!
What you believe in, you stand for. Belief overpowers fear. Belief = Courage. Who doesn't benefit from having the courage to turn your New Year's goals into reality? Here are quotes on Courage.
What do you believe? This year, while practicing the Jewish ritual ceremony of Tashlich, I abandoned fears that I held. And on Thanksgiving I came forward with one of the things I believe in - One Love. One State. ISRAEL. When one believes, Change can make your head spin.
Happy New Year everyone! And, THANK YOU for reading my blog!
Happy New Year everyone! And, THANK YOU for reading my blog!
