Understanding is the Holy Grail for us personal development junkies. We might call it wisdom or enlightenment or whatever, but in the end, what we really want is to create a human pattern that makes sense to us. Understanding doesn't come out of nowhere - first we have to acquire some knowledge, or at least … Continue reading #BlogElul 4: Understand
Tag: Judaism
#BlogElul 3: Search
The word "search" implies intentionality. A searcher is not merely wandering through life, marvelling at the serendipity of things. A searcher is on a mission, trying to find something specific. The searcher may not know what she is looking for, but she knows that something is missing in her life. Or she may know exactly … Continue reading #BlogElul 3: Search
#BlogElul 2: Act
Action is a very odd concept. We take action every day of our lives (at least, if we get out of bed), and yet it is something we often struggle with. Committing to a course of action can be both exhilarating and terrifying. Google "action" and "fear" together and you'll find countless pages teaching you … Continue reading #BlogElul 2: Act
#BlogElul 1: Prepare
It's here! It's here! Today is the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul, and once again, Rabbi Phyllis Sommer has generously provided us with a template for reflection and growth. The High Holy Days are just a month away, and there is lots of spiritual work to be done. This is my fourth … Continue reading #BlogElul 1: Prepare
I Survived Passover!
It's that time of year again! Once again, Passover has gone through my house and my life like a whirlwind, and now it is gone. Last year I wrote for the first time about the effects of eight days of living on matzah, with eggs, cheese and fish as my prime protein sources. I probably … Continue reading I Survived Passover!
#BlogElul 28 – Give
Today I had the immense pleasure of reading a book called "The Art of Possibility", by Benjamin Zander and Rosamund Stone Zander. I was stunned to discover that the book is 15 years old - where have these people been all my life? Ben is a world-renowned conductor and teacher, and Roz is a family … Continue reading #BlogElul 28 – Give
#BlogElul 25 – Intend
Well, it's not hard to figure out how my intentions for this blog post series have not been working out very well. But today I will follow through on my good intention and post! One might say it was inevitable. As the days became steadily busier, approaching school and the actual holidays, my posting frequency … Continue reading #BlogElul 25 – Intend
#BlogElul 23 – Begin
So I went to look at my old blog posts about this verb, and I had to laugh. September is clearly the new January here, here and here. So many cycles end and then begin this time of year. For me, this year, there's the beginning of my new coaching career. I think I've always … Continue reading #BlogElul 23 – Begin
#BlogElul 22 – End
Well, that was a gap. But today's word is End, and today I've chosen not to end my BlogElul series prematurely, despite its imperfection. For some reason I got completely stuck on the word Ask, and then Judge, Dare and Love just went by with me pretending time wasn't moving on ... but today I … Continue reading #BlogElul 22 – End
#BlogElul 17 – Awaken
Wow. The obvious metaphor for awakening this time of year is the shofar, but I think I've written enough about that. Who or what else awakens during the month of Elul? It's September. School will be starting soon, and we cast an anxious eye to see whether the trees have started turning. The mornings and … Continue reading #BlogElul 17 – Awaken