This month I am consulting for the Judaism Unbound Podcast, helping them raise money through a Kickstarter campaign for their first book. It has been super fun! It is no secret that I am a big fan, (and a former guest) because they bring to the forefront ideas from many Jewish innovators. Unlike other podcasts, they don’t ask how many twitter followers you have when picking a guest – if they like your ideas, you are in. One of the particularly fun things I am doing is interviewing superfans and former guests. I was very moved by my interview with Sarah Lefton, who was the founder and creative director of BimBam, which to discontinue making its educational animations because it could not secure funding to continue.
I asked Sarah how she was post BimBam, and she said “I was sad but things are great in ways I did not expect. I spent a lot of time in 2019 focused on my own art making – mostly ceramics.” She went on to describe how she is reconnecting with her science roots, and is working on two incredible projects she never would have had time for had she continued her work at BimBam. She also offers some great advice for people who may feel embarrassed because they feel they don’t know enough Jewishly. And she closes advising all of us to tell our stories our own way. You can read the whole interview here.
It was a great example of multiple Mussar soul traits in action. Telling your story your way is all about Humility, feeling comfortable in your space, and inviting others to join your worldview. And so many of us have felt less than in Jewish spaces. I know I did when I was younger. The best thing I ever did was seek out opportunities to learn more, even though I was out of my comfort zone. But the Mussar Practice I’m inspired to share is about Gratitude.
************Here’s the Gratitude Mussar Practice**********************
Recognize the Good and give thanks in a negative situation. When things are not going well, the last thing we want to do is look for a positive. Sometimes when we are in truly horrible situations, or in grief, it might be something like an 800 number to find resources, or noticing the friend who sent you a text of support.
What can you be grateful for about something negative? Does that gratitude give you energy to take action in a way that could change thing for the better?
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The Hebrew word for the soul trait of Gratitude is Hakaret Ha’tov, which means recognize the good (as explained in this BimBam video.) Sometimes it takes time to get the perspective to find something to be grateful for. And certainly there is nothing inherently good about terrible things that happen. Yet gratitude offers a way to cope, and find a path through.
For tips on how to recognize the good and be grateful, check out the 15 minute Gratitude challenge The 15 minute challenge is a great gratitude mussar practice.
image credit:Photo by My Life Journal on Unsplash
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