Made-a-move #36: Connecting with others
Move number “36″… hmmm “Double Chai”. Chai is the Hebrew word for Life and, as each Hebrew letter has a numerical value, the two letters that spell the word Chai (ח י) add up to the total of 18. The number 36 is extra-special as it represents a double blessing of Life. (This is why many Jews have a custom of giving gifts in multiples of 18)
At this time of year, during the time between Rosh Hashana (the New Year) and Yom Kippur (the Day of Judgement), we reflect on our actions of the past year, make commitments to improve, ask for forgiveness for past misdeeds, and request that The Creator seal a favorable judgement for us with the blessings of health, peace, prosperity, and, most of all, LIFE. How fitting that this posting carries the number 36 – Double Chai. May this be a spark towards a doubly blessed life for all those who benefit from the HoneyTreeBuzz blog.
One of the goals I wrote for myself a couple years ago was to be more mindful in my interactions with others. My previous self of constantly running from one task to another left me disconnected from putting time or focus into what I was doing or who I was interacting with. I still have a long way to go, but am happy to see that I am being more and more involved with Life. And, with it, I am now improving in my relationships with the people closest to me – family and friends. One result of this is my improved ability to understand my daughter’s needs and encourage her in her own personal journey. As she is thoroughly enjoying the Creative Writing class I encouraged her to take, she suggested I share her new poem with you here.
With the wish that your journeys take you to greater inner strength, deeper happiness, brighter futures and meaningful Life, here is a poem of my DD’s journey… by Shoshana
Where am I From?
Where am I from?
I am from the sky.
I follow the rays of the sun.
Who am I?
I am a bird who soars in the sky.
I paint the sunset,
as I glide through the air.
I rise with the sunrise,
and when my days have come and gone,
I slip to sleep with the sunset.
From where do I come?
Breaking free of the dark shell around me,
I came to light.
From a bed of twigs to a bed of clouds.
I ventured beyond the protective wing of my mother.
To where am I going?
I am going wherever the wind takes me.
I am going to fly high.
I will say “look how high I have gone.”
My wings are like that of an eagle,
strongest,
carrying me higher than all others.
I will say “look at my strength.”
Built upon generations of strong birds before me.
Whom do I wish to be?
I will add to those wings.
So that my baby can do as I have.
So she can say “look at my strength.”
Built upon generations of strong birds before me.
Where am I from?
I am from a line of great ones.
Who paved the path on which I walk.
Who am I?
I am one amongst many.
I rise with the call of the rooster,
and when my days have come and gone,
I ease into an eternal sleep with the hoot of the owl.
From where do I come?
Breaking free of the dark forces in eastern lands.
I sailed west, to the promise of light.
From a bed of hay, to a bead of feathers.
I ventured beyond the safety of my mother’s house.
To where am I going?
I am going wherever my heart takes me.
I am going to go far.
I will say “look at what I achieved.”
My wings are like that of an eagle,
strongest,
carrying me farther than all others.
I will say “look at my strength.”
Built upon my generations of strong forefathers.
Whom do I wish to be?
I will add to those wings.
So that my child can do as I have.
So she can say “look at my strength.”
Built upon my generations of strong forefathers.
I am all this when I spread my wings and fly.
