A Life Still Doing - #valuesinaction

So much to do!  This is a phrase that sits sometime comfortably or uncomfortably in my heart and mind.  Elul and the Jewish holidays have allowed me to reflect and look ahead.  With my #valuesinaction mindset, I've thought about my #5777goals:

• Say yes when I can
• Say no when it is best 
• Stay hungry for learning
• Explore Los Angeles through visiting dog parks around the city
• Host meals in my home
• Enjoy my backyard
• Continue to #lovemyjob and raise a lot of money
• Choose gratitude and happiness as a state of mind
• Embrace hardship when faced with it and look for help to walk through it.
• Look ahead 5 years, 10 years and create a personal and family plan.  Where do I/we want to be and how do I/we get there.

Welcome 5777!  I'm ready.

Showing Up Changes Perspective - #valuesinaction

I wanted to sleep in.  I could have slept in.  But yesterday was Shabbat and Meditation Plus began at 9:15am.  I wanted to stay home, stay in my pajamas and the world outside.  It was an intense week, all the normal anxieties of adulthood felt exponentially heightened.  Each smile felt forced, each joyful moment (there were some) felt brief.

So, when I could have stayed home, when I wanted to stay home - I didn't.  I got up, got dressed and made my ritual Shabbat morning walk to shul.  I still felt off, still felt like the walk was longer than other days.  But I continued, put one foot in front of the other and kept going.  I looked up at the sky, concentrated on breathing and tried to find some enjoyment in the beautiful day.  Though clear outside, I, myself, felt cloudy.

I finally arrived and with each heavy step, climbed the stairs without the usually skip in my step.  "Just get there," I said to myself.  I reached the top of the stairs and took a deep breath, "I made it," I thought to myself.  To find some instant comfort, I sat in one of my favorite seats.  I had moved it a few weeks before for a change of perspective, but like a security blanket, the moment I sat in my favorite seat, I relaxed a little more.

And then we began.  Rabbi Ruth Sohn's voice guided us first and then after our silent meditation, I felt elevated, refueled, relaxed, and calm.  I shared with the group that during the meditation, I had an image of walking through mud, dragging myself to get to where I was going, and that the meditation had helped remove me from the mud.  As the meditation progressed, my imagery included stepping out of the mud and standing unburdened.  All it took was for me to show up.  Even though I wanted to sleep in and stay home.  I made the right decision.

Show up! I took that action a few more times which lead to great conversations, reconnecting with friends and a new perspective for the holiday of Sukkot.  These past 48 hours have been transformative.  As the holiday teaches us that life is fragile, temporary, open and what matters most are your family, friends, your community, and the values that allow you to stay close, reach out to others, share food, friendship and love.

Chag Sameach

Finding Values in Your Younger Self - #ValuesInAction

This Yom Kippur, I am looking at our past to hear the voices which help guide me today and tomorrow.  While cleaning up and preparing for our Break the Fast, I found this tribute to Rabbi Jacob Pressman that my husband Perry wrote in 1975.  It was a Birthday Gala and Perry was 13, a seventh grader.  He remembers reading it in front of everyone at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.  Losing Rabbi Pressman this year was a tremendous loss for the community.  Reading Perry's words reminds me of Rabbi Pressman's extraordinary leadership and the impact that he had on so many.  Attached is the original. Seeing the words in Perry's younger handwriting only emphasizes his respect for Rabbi Pressman and that he kept it all these years speaks to Perry's own values of remembering those who made an impact on him.  #ValuesInAction.  I'm proud to read these words today and proud to know that man who wrote those words so many years ago.

For your enjoyment and some reminiscing, Perry gave me permission to post his tribute to Rabbi Pressman.

October 21, 1975

I think of Rabbi Pressman
When I think of all great men
He is very understanding
and wouldn't commit a sin

He always helps at Herzl
He helps us with our homework
And he tries his best to Lxxxx down
When Lxxxx goes berserk.

He is a very good leader
And know how to judge what's right
One thing Rabbi an certainly do
is give an excellent sermon on Friday night.

Rabbi Pressman, I know you pretty well
And I've got one more thing to say
From all of us to all of you,
Happy Birthday

Truth in Kindness #valuesinaction

One of the most important values in my life is truth.  As long as I can remember, I always knew that it was important for me to tell the truth.  When I was young, it was because I knew that my mother would be furious if I lied. But as I quickly learned, I didn't always tell the truth as young girl or a young woman.

When I was older, I learned the difference between secrecy and privacy.  In my solid adult friendships, I share with those I trust and only share what I want with those who don't need to know my life's story.  And further, I sometimes find myself in my circle friends or my meditation group or with complete strangers and I hear my voice sharing something deeply personal because either I need to share it or I believe that someone else needs to hear it.

Speak truth with kindness - it is how we learn to trust each other and deepen our personal relationships.  Today, someone told me the truth.  It can be scary because it means that someone was thinking about me and found the strength to call me.  I know these difficult conversations take time and courage which I truly appreciate.

It wasn't easy to hear.  But today was the day and I needed to hear it.  Today is today.  Someone showed me kindness in truth and truth in kindness.  I'm not walking away.  I'm embracing, I'm in solution and I'll deal with it.

And tomorrow is another day.  #valutesinaction

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” 
― Mother Teresa

Sitting in our beautiful Rosh Hashanah services last week made me realize just how important it is to take notice of today, be aware of these precious moments, and while knowing these seconds, minutes, hours, days all turn into weeks, months and years, we need to embrace as much as we can right now, today.  

Today! I'm writing this at the end of the weekend, hoping to sleep well and preparing for my work day tomorrow.  It is hard not to think ahead, make plans, look forward to what's next or even worry about how it will all get done.  Meditation, deep breaths and making those plans will help me stay focused today so that I can grow tomorrow.  

Today! I want to accept.
Today! I want to understand.
Today! I want to embrace.
Today! I want to breathe.
Today! I want to show up.
Today! I want to love.
Today! I want to be compassionate.
Today! I want to comfort.
Today! I want to see the best in others.
Today! I want to see the best in myself.

Tomorrow is tomorrow and I will live it as uniquely as yesterday.
Yesterday is gone and I will let go so that today is all its own.

As I walk into shul to stand with my community for Yom Kippur, I know I am not alone.  And that is the essence of my daily gratitude.

Shana Tovah.

Values in Action - Day 2

I tried something new tonight.  I showed up at the evening service of the first day of Rosh Hashanah.  In the past, I only went to the services where I thought I should be.  Out of 5 services, I would go to two, maybe three.  Something pulled me this year.  I want to be there.  I want to meditate. I want to find a peaceful space that allows me to learn and grow.

As I walked out of services tonight, I looked up at the billboard and thought, "Wow, what a spiritual message for Rosh Hashanah."

As we talk about spiritual renewal, recalibrating, reconnecting and clearing our own spiritual path, I felt that we got lucky.  Often, the billboard outside shul is not appropriate for a spiritual community or an elementary or middle school. It is a conversation that many of us have and we often feel helpless.

Look at that - Self-Storage is stupid, never visit a storage unit again - Make Space.  Spiritually, we shouldn't hold onto things, we should let it go and say goodbye to the past, make room for all that is important to us.  

You walk out of the shul and this is what you see.  I cannot help but realize that the billboard is in the right place at the right time. 

Shana Tovah!

#ValuesInAction

My Elul - It's About The Work

Personalities will always color my experience with people.  In my Elul reflections, whether I was home or at work, the dynamics of our personalities, our voices, our chemistry impacts one another and could drive us to cooperate or block. If I get lost in the emotions, I get nothing done.  Being confused by the judging of behaviors, comments and overthinking of others' decisions leads me to resentment and frustration.

Elul has given me the opportunity to see the bigger picture.  Often I end posts with #lovemyjob because I am moved by what I witness - the programs, the beneficiaries, my dedicated colleagues and the compassion and generosity of donors.  Meditation has taught me to focus.  The practice allows me to put aside the negative forces that block me.  Thoughtfulness, patience, and compassion are tools, muscles that need exercise, and values that guide me every day.

Every day is a gift.  It has been said before - some days will be harder than others, some days will truly exceed my expectations.  My choice is to make the best decisions for me, my family, my team and for my communities.

Day #1 of the New Year.  Looking forward to a year of values in action.  Joy will come as the focus continues to be on the work - at home and at the office.

Shana Tovah!