Shalom, Shofars and Pirkei Avot
I sit here in my living room typing on my laptop reflecting today's earlier statements and emotions. Prayers, feelings.
As I have previously said, and I continue to say I don't typically experience awkward moments, or embarrassment.
The reason for this, is partially how I see people. I have a friend whom I had a conversation with recently, and I thought I'd outline it for you.
Him: "Man, it's going to be awkward seeing her...I don't think I'm ready."
Me: "Why?"
"Because, the woman I happen to love, who I dumped because we were on different levels is going to be there..."
"Why is that awkward?"
"...Are you serious? It's pretty obvious..."
"I guess I just don't see people the way you do."
"How's that?"
And this spawned the conversation that I am noting here. We got into a bit of a topic that involved what I saw in people. Beforehand, I could have told him exactly what he expected to hear, and what everyone else says, but as of recent times I have reorganized the way I view people. When I look at someone now, I rarely see physicality, problems, awkward moments, faults in people, but instead I see something a little different. I can look at someone, and see a radiating good, I see their neshama. By looking at someone in the face, picturing an or (light) emitting from them, ascending into the heavens offering praise to The Most High. If you can imagine that each individual, regardless of their idiosyncrasies, their issues in life, or how bad of a person they may be according to your interpretation. Picture them as a creation from The Creator, a blessing that He placed on the earth to glorify Him. Then you really can't judge anyone. Look to the inside, and look at yourself before you look at others. It's really easy to point a finger, but that doesn't make it something you should do.
Anyway, I did the Shofar service for Rosh Hashanah. I loved it, and had a lot of fun doing it as well. Then this morning I actually led the liturgy, as my father wasn't doing so well, and he stayed up at the house. Anyway, that was the first time I had really led the congregation, so that was pretty exciting.
Anyway, after Shabbat services, and prayer, I sat on the porch and read some of the Pirkei Avot in my sidur, amazing writings. The weather was perfect, the setting was perfect, I just absolutely fell in love with it.
In any event, I'll stop talking your ear off and you can get back to whatever else you were doing that was so important.
As I have previously said, and I continue to say I don't typically experience awkward moments, or embarrassment.
The reason for this, is partially how I see people. I have a friend whom I had a conversation with recently, and I thought I'd outline it for you.
Him: "Man, it's going to be awkward seeing her...I don't think I'm ready."
Me: "Why?"
"Because, the woman I happen to love, who I dumped because we were on different levels is going to be there..."
"Why is that awkward?"
"...Are you serious? It's pretty obvious..."
"I guess I just don't see people the way you do."
"How's that?"
And this spawned the conversation that I am noting here. We got into a bit of a topic that involved what I saw in people. Beforehand, I could have told him exactly what he expected to hear, and what everyone else says, but as of recent times I have reorganized the way I view people. When I look at someone now, I rarely see physicality, problems, awkward moments, faults in people, but instead I see something a little different. I can look at someone, and see a radiating good, I see their neshama. By looking at someone in the face, picturing an or (light) emitting from them, ascending into the heavens offering praise to The Most High. If you can imagine that each individual, regardless of their idiosyncrasies, their issues in life, or how bad of a person they may be according to your interpretation. Picture them as a creation from The Creator, a blessing that He placed on the earth to glorify Him. Then you really can't judge anyone. Look to the inside, and look at yourself before you look at others. It's really easy to point a finger, but that doesn't make it something you should do.
Anyway, I did the Shofar service for Rosh Hashanah. I loved it, and had a lot of fun doing it as well. Then this morning I actually led the liturgy, as my father wasn't doing so well, and he stayed up at the house. Anyway, that was the first time I had really led the congregation, so that was pretty exciting.
Anyway, after Shabbat services, and prayer, I sat on the porch and read some of the Pirkei Avot in my sidur, amazing writings. The weather was perfect, the setting was perfect, I just absolutely fell in love with it.
In any event, I'll stop talking your ear off and you can get back to whatever else you were doing that was so important.
Long time no talk. I hope you're doing well, man.
Shalom
Ryan, I love reading your blogs. I miss you, man. We still need to talk theology sometime just for the fun of it. If I don't hear from you soon, there is a possibility that I will call Kait and demand your cell phone number be told to me. I hope you are well!
Shalom. -Danike