Passions
I must stop working/typing/writing, and go to sleep. It seems however, that I have to choose between remaining a lapsed blogger or losing some sleep. At least until I can clear a few things off of my plate. (I am working on it.)
As you might have read, I recently had a chance to meet a “rock star” – one whose music I really enjoy. (I think I have said that once or twice.) What I am passionate about however isn’t the rock star …. but music. I don’t always get to spend the time involved with music that I would like, and when I do it is always restorative.
I have been working on a project “on the back burner” for years now that combines my love for children with my love for Judaism and my love for music. Truly three of my passions. I hope to be able to share more of this project with you… but in a later post.
I won tickets to a Mama Doni concert this coming Sunday (!), and I am really looking forward to it. Not only will I get to enjoy some real “ima time” with the little ones, but I also plan to meet Mama herself and speak to her briefly about this project. Â More to follow on the contest, the tickets, the concert and the encounter.
I am also working on another project “on the back burner” which involves my other passion – zionism. I am truly excited to see that this may also be moving forward, however slowly.
I consider myself very blessed to work in a career that touches on all of these loves. But my “back burner” projects are my own. They may take longer to see the light of day, but they are being nurtured by my heart and soul.
I have spent the better part of the last decade being responsible for small children and primarily occupied with diapers crisis management and household maintenance. It feels good – and right – to now be refocusing some of my energies on my passions. Doing so is good for me, I know, but I believe it is also good for my family. Â I see that my involvement in these passions engages my family in them as well. Children, zionism, music and Judaism are all wonderful things for us to be involved in together.
What are your passions, and what are you doing to involve yourself in them?Â
My passions are soooo different from my pre-Baal Teshuvah life…with the exception of 2 Kids and Klal Yisroel.
I’ve never been a groupie for anything or anyone..but I am for Hashem…..I long for serving him well and better each day….I long for my Family, near and Far and Klal Yisroel to do the same….my hunger for this is palpable.
My actions to support this passion are Tefillah, Tefillah, Tefillah. Having scheduled reading: on a daily basis I try to take a bite out of Ascending the Path, Insights into Mesillat Yesharim, I also have 2 IPOD Shuffles loaded with Shuirim to listen to (love this) and working on reviewing Hilchos Shabbas. On Shabbas I work on reading a bite of the Shulchan Aruch, Shir Ha Shiurim (on Fri nites) and reading Rabbi Pincus and Rabbi B. Leff’s books on Shabbas.
I am back up to 4 Chavursas and 1 formal class…..with Miriam I am working on Pirke Avos; with Ruchy I am working on Getting To Know Yourself; with Chani I’m working on R’ Pincus’ book on a Woman’s Role, Nefesh Chaya, with Sari I’m working on The Garden of Gratitude, Aleinue and teaching her to read Hebrew…..in Rebbitzne K’s class I’m workong Emunah…again on eo R’ Pincus’s books:
Whenever Hashem let’s I have been going to Leisure Chateau, Lakewood on Friday Mornings and reading Tehillim to Rebbitzen Rauchoma Shain….she changed my life with All For the Boss…..visitors are encouraged….SO PLEASE VISIT THE REBBITZEN:):) She cannot interact in a verbal manner…but you can sense her relaxing when I read to her>>>>DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS OPPORTUNITY…such a chessed for someone who has given so very much to Klal Yisrael…..I’ve only mentioned this to give Rachel’s Audience the chance to daven fo her (Rauchoma bat Aidel) and visit her…Don’t be shy!!!!!
Obsessed…driven….this is the first tyime in my life I am truly ambitious…I have a deep ambition to serve Hashem to be an Oved Hashem who draws deeply closely to him.
This is all in addition to living a life of chessed first for my Family, then our Comminity and Klal Yisroel. I consider myself the spackle…the stuff that you use to plug the holes in the wall when you take down a picture…I try to fill in wherever and for whomever Hashem lets.
But the big thing is really , really, really lovingly and devotedly supporinting my Husband and his needs, I’m so grateful to him for permitting me to fulfill this yearning in me….he supports me even when he doesn’t ‘get it’….
Maybe I’m lucky in that one of my passions is staying healthy, so getting enough sleep falls under that as a subset.
Good luck with all the back burner projects – I love your energy.
Thanks Leora! I WISH sleep was one of my passions….
You’ll have a great time at the Mama Doni concert – she’s as warm and fun off stage as on, and I barely know her! We’ve been trying for two years to just have coffee, and she’s so busy we haven’t gotten to it yet!
Thanks! I am looking forward.