Next Level

The more you learn, the more there is to learn. This week I had the opportunity to meet with our Rabbi and get some of my questions about where are all these mitzvot coming from? Of course, nothing is simple, there is the torah, there is the mishna, there is the interpretations, and from this commandments are expanded, analyzed and further expanded. There is a whole set of mitzvot known as Hiddur Mitzvah, which is the use of aesthetics to enhance a mitzvot, such as a beautiful candlestick or a challah cover, but how far does this go? Also there is a whole field of Jewish teaching which focuses on mindfulness, ego, joy, and flow, common elements of so many self-help books. I am not sure what this is called, but this isn't really the same as a mitzvah that benefits others, so I am getting a bit confused about it all. At the end of the day, it is all a personal choice, what actions can you take to bring greater piece of mind and joy into your life. The Rabbi has decided as a result of our conversations to teach a class on a handful of sort of ever day mitzvot that anyone can do, like the path that I have been on. I'm pretty sure that is a mitzvah, because it is an extension of "learn torah and teach it.", so the more I learn and then share what I learn the better it is. The Rabbi wants me to help teach the class and share my experiences as part of it, which I will, but I can tell that I need to guard against my ego stepping up to the plate and not my soul and spirit. It does feel good to be recognized for something I am doing, but I also know that is not the point. The more I talk about it, some of the goodness seems to dissipate, plus folks are going to get tired of me if I start sounding like a commercial. We're not there yet.

Last night I led our Rosh Hodesh meeting with my talk on LaShon Hora. It was really interesting for me and I think eye opening for some. There was a lot of good sharing of personal stories in a positive way. I enjoy these moments. Now the key is to not pass the info on because that would be LaShon Hora. I also noticed my ego kind of popping up. I had some prior visions of a packed house. We had a good turn-out, maybe 15 people? Many of them over the age of 70. But it wasn't a trans-formative, motivational speaker moment. I was also anxious how it would look to one younger woman I invited. But I knew that I had to let go of all that, this was just a step in a direction with many more to come.

In providing some background to the group about my mitzvah journey, I was reminded that weekly blogging is just not the same. It doesn't create the same commitment to seek out new mitzvot, and the behavior change is not as great. My hope is that with the Rabbi's class I can get a list of 5?10? every day mitzvot, that I can carry around with me on an index card and perhaps journal in a small notebook when ever something happens. Something for the future. I definitely woke up feeling more energized and positive than I have for awhile. I used that energy to make a few more contacts for Y&H for speakers, reaching out to complete strangers, and making some progress. It is a beautiful day outside and I am able to appreciate it, look forward to the weekend and continue to take responsibility for my life one day at a time.