What a week, what a week. In the last 23 hours, it seems like I have had every emotion under the sun, including anger, fear and … well probably some others too.
As Kohellet wrote in the book of Ecclesiastes:
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted; a time to break down and a time to build up. (See more here.)
With the election a few days away, what time is it now? I look around and see a lot of breaking down. At the same time, I see people standing in line for hours to vote. Their quiet determination says we can build a better future. Both forces are at work.
Where does Loving-Kindness, our topic for this weeks drop in Jewish Wisdom Zoom gathering, fit in?
This morning when I was making breakfast, the answer came to me. Someone dripped sticky stuff all over the floor, and I stepped in it. As I thought about how I could express my displeasure to others in the household, a quiet voice said in my head.
Just wipe it up.
The Talmud teaches that the world is built on Loving-Kindness. I don’t know who spilled – maybe it was me. But I was there, and I could clean it up as a way to build a better world in my own kitchen.
I can’t fix Facebook, and I can’t control what will happen in the month ahead. But I can focus my energy on building a better world for the people I care about. And when I do show up in the public arena, I can keep my focus on building a better world, even when I am working to uproot injustice and cruelty.
Rabbi Hillel wrote In a place where there are no humans, strive to be a human.”
Is there anything more human than showing up with Kindness? Is there anything that requires more strength right now?
Wishing you the strength and courage to show up with Kindness, whatever may lie ahead. And most importantly, be kind to yourself.
I began my Mussar practice on Rosh Hashanah because I was struggling with election stress. I think it’s what got me through it all, still having a hold on my sanity. I did start with Trust. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been helpful.