Loving What you Have

Today is the 14th Day of the Omer (April 26-27, 2006) , which is malkhut in gevurah.

Read about the Kabbalistic connection between this day and the Gevurot prayer (second blessing) in the Amida.

Blooming Cherry Tree (Is it a Cherry?)
Corner of Sedgwick and Ellet in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia
April 23, 2006 by Shai Gluskin

"I", "love", "you" period. No ambivalence.
"I", "love", "me" period. No ambivalence.

All the criticisms go away, not forever, but they are hidden.

My practice of putting away those criticisms gives me the knowledge (residing in my kishkes/stomach as well as in my brain) that I can live without them.

Keeping company with the criticisms are the disappointments and the losses as well. Exiling them does not deny their existance, which would be fruitless.

My ability to celebrate what I have is nurtured by a life lived within limits. My experience of the presence of God (malkhut/shekhina) grows with my ability to respect gevurah (e.g. the reality of my ultimate death—timely or not, the importance of discipline and respect, the value of law and limits).

In Pirkei Avot 4:1 Ben Zoma says, Eizehu ashir? Ha-sameiach b-chelko. Who is rich? Those who rejoice in their portion.

Mt. Airy's Spring eruption calls "Rejoice!" And let us say, "Amen!"