I found myself at Windsor Castle on Monday – teaching on the same leadership course I attended in 2018. The remit was ‘be brutally honest’ as I shared my good and bad experiences. I might have enjoyed that invitation to truth-telling anyway but I particularly enjoyed it during the month of Elul, when I am particularly focused on self-reflection. I also explained the Jewish impulse to renewal and transformation, especially now, sitting as I was beneath portraits of the late Queen and her mother. Strange juxtapositions, that have a way of sharpening the mind and being truthful about our weaknesses, is just one benefit of these reflective days. We talked a great deal about the balance of one’s own personal integrity and consideration of others.
How does one pay equal attention to both?
Yesterday’s words by Marge Piercy have remained with me:
“Attention is love, what we must give
children, mothers, fathers, pets,
our friends, the news, the woes of others.What we want to change we curse and then
pick up a tool. Bless whatever you can
with eyes and hands and tongue. If you
can’t bless it, get ready to make it new.”The Art of Blessing the Day: Poems with a Jewish Theme
– Marge Piercy
As you pay attention to yourself, do consider joining us for our second Shabbat away from home – it was good last weekend and did not feel at all ‘wilderness’ like.
See the guidance for access to, parking and finding us at QMH and TCC.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rebecca
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