Bring the Blasts Back!

Friday, November 4th | 10 Heshvan 5783

Hi friends,

I’ve missed you. I think I’ve decided that I took an unofficial mini Sabbatical last month and really worked hard to be present in my life. I looked back at the last newsletter I sent to refresh my mind on where we left off and this part stuck out to me:

For me, the shofar blasts have woken me up to my internal brokenness - in the past year I've strayed away from living by my own values, I’ve been moving a million miles a minute, and lost myself in the process. The shofar blasts have inspired me to go back and pick up the pieces. To slow down enough to remember what the pieces are and how they can all fit together again. The blasts are reminding me that some pieces might not fit exactly the way they used to fit, and that’s okay. There is always a bigger picture - we just don’t always know what that is. The blasts are helping me to realign, slowly but surely. I am ready to do the work and eager to uncover this new version of myself - a balanced, present, patient, loving, and happy version of myself. 

I’m not sure I've ever thought much about the shofar blasts a month or so after the High Holidays, but honestly, we should! Why not be reminded of the feelings the shofar blasts sparked for us in the first place. As I think back on what the powerful sound brought up for me, I felt called to basically get to know myself again. When I look back on October, I can genuinely say that I found a really awesome, happy, balanced version of myself. I slowed down enough to make changes in my life to better serve what I needed. One thing that helped was joining a yoga studio. I realized that the movement I had become so used to doing everyday had stopped serving me the way it used to. As I’ve started a more consistent practice of getting on my mat, I’ve been able to tune into my body and breath in a new way. One of the teachers at the studio talks about how the way we show up on our mat correlates to how we show up off the mat. It’s kind of crazy how that can be true. How are you currently showing up in whatever your version of a yoga mat is?

I’ve always said it takes at least one year to feel like you have your roots after living in a new place. I’ve officially passed my one year living in Los Angeles, this crazy city, it’s starting to grow on me (finally!) Things are starting to feel familiar, I don’t always have to use my GPS, and I feel connected to the friends I’ve made here. I’ve been able to prioritize my friendships in a way that feels different – I’m getting into a groove of balancing my various responsibilities. Highlights include the Florence & The Machine concert & getting out of LA for the day to hike in Lake Arrowhead. Next time your contemplating buying the concert tickets or going on the day trip….DO IT.

I went to a beautiful wedding this past weekend (CONGRATS JORDAN & LEAH!!!) and it was a weekend filled with pure joy and the most authentic version of myself and the people around me. During the ceremony, the officiant said something that stuck out to me. He was talking about Shabbat and how we get to choose to make this day part of our everyday routine, prioritizing it in whatever way that means to you. When you get married, you’re choosing to treat your partner like Shabbat in a way – making them a priority or part of your routine in a special way. I thought it was such a beautiful way to correlate Shabbat to someone important in your life.

MY QUESTION for you though - What if that person you correlate Shabbat with was yourself?

As you go into Shabbat tonight, think about it. You are your own Shabbat bride! How will you choose to honor yourself through ritual, rest, and joy?

Wishing y’all the most meaningful Shabbat with yourself, to your person, your people, and your communities.

Ethically,

Emily