Into this world we make our entrance unencumbered and free with a healthy measure of curiosity and a natural sense of adventure.
A young girl, much like all children, is hard at play, running, skipping, jumping and dancing. Precious glee is woven into every moment as she adventures to explore and taste. Every object in her path arouses her curiosity.
Her essence is joy, each move authentic and true.
She bounces on her bed free of any costume or dress, all of the “what if’s” completely foreign to her being. She sprints up to the top of the mountain of sand near her home only to dance down again and again. She is fearless.
With her every move she reigns as “Queen of the Land”.
Into the kitchen she enters with gusto. Today is the day that she designs her signature cake. With a little bit of this and a little bit of that and no script, written or otherwise, to guide her, she composes. Unburdened with fears and handicaps, she moves with determination and delight.
Similarly, she turns her creative forces to fashion. Armed with but fabric, thread and tenacity she tailors her way. Off she races to show her friend. She unravels as she goes but that is of little concern to her…
Wee Warriors Were We
But were we?
It was not that we had the courage to dare;
We simply knew no fear.
Year by year and bit by bit, we built up our protective shield. Fast forward many years and many layers later, it is challenging at the least, to reach deep to our true self. We are cautious to venture out and stick close to our rigid shadow.
Warriors Were We
What Happened?
Rosh Hashana, a new year, is upon us. Shana Tova, Happy New Year! According to tradition, the approach of the new year is a time for self-introspection and repentance. More often than not, our thoughts and introspection center stage all of our trials and tribulations: where did we go wrong and where can we do better?
Similarly, at Christmastime the radio sings: “You better be good … Santa Claus is coming to town!”
Perhaps now is a great time to spice up our ancient traditions and stop beating ourselves up over all of our mess-ups, failures and oversights. Enough bemoaning! For once let it not be about what we did wrong but rather a celebration of what we did right! For a moment, let us give gratitude in honor of every victorious moment, small and large.
Pay homage to the warrior within.
Hurrah for the courage to dare!
In the looking glass, I always saw a timid reflection of self even though, of late, my self-reflection has become more in alignment with my innate warrior. In preparation for this post, I endeavored to fill a timeline with my warrior’s triumphant moments. So abundant were these that I needed to insert extra rows along the way, again and again. Suddenly, I was astounded to discover that my warrior had never abandoned me and had been there all along.
I exploited this week’s bike ride to accost my fellow bikers. I asked them a simple question:
“Of all of your memories,
Of all the things which you found the courage to dare to do,
Which brings you the greatest source of pride?”
I was totally unprepared for the discomfort of the tongue tied bikers and the almost complete loss of words which followed. Was the source of this unease just embarrassment or simply the inability to find the right words? It was not clear to me.
Here are some of their brags.
Notice, if you will, how many are centered on family:
Getting married.
Marrying XXXX.
My son.
Going back to school at 37.
Today’s bike ride.
Successfully appealing the university’s decision not to accept me.
Getting back on a bike after serious injury.
Completing the Annapurna Trek in Nepal.
Here are some of mine:
Confronting my teacher regarding his stereotyped rhetoric.
Requesting a permission slip to escape the morning prayer at school.
Celebrating my bat mitzvah untraditionally.
Wearing a full tux and tails to my school prom.
Making Aliyah as a “lone” soldier.
Getting married at the rabbinical office with a bare “minyan” without my parents at 19.
Managing the dairy as I was left alone in the First Lebanon War.
At the request of my hairdresser, agreeing to transition from a long to a cropped haircut.
Leaving the kibbutz at 35 with three children in tow.
Celebrating our children’s bar/bat mitzvahs in a unique and meaningful manor.
Dying my hair platinum blond (even though it was short lived).
Agreeing to bike with cleats or more precisely, allowing myself to fall while still hooked up…
Biking downhill at Whistler at 40+.
Deciding to not color my hair any more.
Beginning to teach dance at 50 something.
Joining a Spencer Tunic photo installation at the Dead Sea.
Leaving my job of 20 something years.
Speaking up.
Go for it!
Hey you mommy, the one who won’t be seen dancing and fooling around with her daughters: “It is you who I am talking to. Kill the order and discipline. Go for it!”
Better
Trying
Yes,
Failing.
Uncensored,
And,
Ridiculous,
But laughing out loud,
Forego,
Sorrow,
Relinquish
Shame,
Made of not playing the game.
Go for it girl!
And give it a whirl!
Shana Tova!
May this be a year of health, happiness and love.
May this be the year,
Find the courage to dare,
Be nakedly you♥
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Thank you and have a great week!
