None of us receive a perfect inheritance. None of us leave behind a perfect legacy. But perhaps perfection was never the point.
Perhaps love was.
The faithfulness of showing up for one another has always been one of love's deepest expressions.
Another thought:
Modern culture celebrates achievement, visibility, and individual success. Yet much of what makes life possible emerges from unnoticed forms of devotion. Someone rises early and goes to work. Someone repairs things no one notices. Someone worries in silence. Someone sacrifices opportunities. Someone learns through mistakes and tries again. Much of love consists of thousands of ordinary acts that rarely become stories.
A conclusion:
Human beings are complicated. We inherit gifts and burdens from those who came before us. Growing older often means learning how to appreciate what was life-giving, grieve what was missing, and become more conscious about what we ourselves will pass forward.
“To love another person is to see the face of God”
That’s what life will teach you and music too (silence). You are an incredible person, philosopher type searching for truth and love. Incredible people make great rabbis. And another thing, you ARE getting thru to your congregation. I would know. Thank you and Shabbat shalom.
Hahah ! This is a skill that many don’t master. It’s so hard :) especially if you feel you need to “justify “ yourself by just being in a room. Which many people feel …
The old imposter syndrome ,mixed with not feeling like enough !
I’ve been called a chatty Kathy, but mostly when I’m on a roll, I think it’s a stream of consciousness. The after party for this looks like a dissertation: Did I say too much? Too little? Did they understand my point? They definitely didn’t understand me. I read somewhere on Instagram that when someone replies, “That’s crazy,” it’s code word they don’t want to hear another thing. Your lips are moving but all they hear is not dissimilar to the whirring of a weed whacker. If only everyone had narcolepsy.
Aach I wasn’t done typing. For sure people can talk way too much but as someone with the opposite problem not saying anything is a great way to feel invisible. Here’s to a happy medium.
Mark Twain said, "It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt." Not that this is true for you, but there are sure times in my life when I should've followed this advice!
When you see the person your talking to eyes glaze over you know it’s time to stop talking… no matter how much more you know
That would have been my children for sure. Now I watch for the glaze over
Always a good clue!
Just a thought: Dad was a perfectionist
None of us receive a perfect inheritance. None of us leave behind a perfect legacy. But perhaps perfection was never the point.
Perhaps love was.
The faithfulness of showing up for one another has always been one of love's deepest expressions.
Another thought:
Modern culture celebrates achievement, visibility, and individual success. Yet much of what makes life possible emerges from unnoticed forms of devotion. Someone rises early and goes to work. Someone repairs things no one notices. Someone worries in silence. Someone sacrifices opportunities. Someone learns through mistakes and tries again. Much of love consists of thousands of ordinary acts that rarely become stories.
A conclusion:
Human beings are complicated. We inherit gifts and burdens from those who came before us. Growing older often means learning how to appreciate what was life-giving, grieve what was missing, and become more conscious about what we ourselves will pass forward.
“To love another person is to see the face of God”
That’s what life will teach you and music too (silence). You are an incredible person, philosopher type searching for truth and love. Incredible people make great rabbis. And another thing, you ARE getting thru to your congregation. I would know. Thank you and Shabbat shalom.
Hahah ! This is a skill that many don’t master. It’s so hard :) especially if you feel you need to “justify “ yourself by just being in a room. Which many people feel …
The old imposter syndrome ,mixed with not feeling like enough !
Agreed, Char. The one good part about imposter syndrome is realizing all of us have it.
I’m learning when to keep my mouth shut! And sometimes it’s hard!!
I’ve been called a chatty Kathy, but mostly when I’m on a roll, I think it’s a stream of consciousness. The after party for this looks like a dissertation: Did I say too much? Too little? Did they understand my point? They definitely didn’t understand me. I read somewhere on Instagram that when someone replies, “That’s crazy,” it’s code word they don’t want to hear another thing. Your lips are moving but all they hear is not dissimilar to the whirring of a weed whacker. If only everyone had narcolepsy.
Excellent advice. I wish I could have some do-overs!
So much wisdom in this piece
These stories are sweet, Mark. Definitely YOU. 😊
Aach I wasn’t done typing. For sure people can talk way too much but as someone with the opposite problem not saying anything is a great way to feel invisible. Here’s to a happy medium.
So agree, Lisa
Mark Twain said, "It's better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than open it and remove all doubt." Not that this is true for you, but there are sure times in my life when I should've followed this advice!
Marylou, it is so true for me as well. At least we're both aware of it.
I feel this and could not have said it better