The defining moment in my life that shifted the way I was thinking...and brought me to ubuntu.
Great question. Tough to answer.
In the sense of living and breathing and working and playing.
This is a newsletter I get regularly from Stephanie Staples, a personal life coach and wanted to share because the message is SO RIGHT.
Tikkun Olam.
If you are not Jewish, this is very likely a new phrase to you, it was to me. Traditionally, it means 'repair of the worlds' or in other words, making the world a better place for all living things.
I thought it an appropriate time of year to consider this statement since we seem to be quite consumed with either 'getting the perfect gift' or just 'getting it over with.'
How are we making our world a better place? I am not convinced that the latest video game, piece of jewellery or novelty mug is doing the trick.
Personally, I have been struggling with taking a mission trip to El Salvador this summer. My 17 year old daughter has committed to going and I told her some time ago that I would go if she would go. I really thought she wouldn’t go, but she is. Truthfully, I am petrified. Not of the danger so much as the emotional toil I know it will take from me. I do not want go, but feel I ‘should.’
When speaking with a woman who has done trips like this many times, I was talking about my fears. She told me in no uncertain terms to ‘get over myself’ and that this was not about me or saving the world. It is just about helping others who need help, period.
Then I learned about Tikkum Olam- and it seemed to be a perfect fit. Whether or not we travel to a third world country to help or simply consider how we can make the world a better place by simply BEING this holiday season and beyond..., what can we do TODAY, to make the world a better place for all living things? We can't all go to a third world country to make a difference but we can do things here.
· Foster a pet, visit a shut in
· Hold the door open for someone else
· Put $$ in the Salvation Army kettles
· Hug/ laugh/ smile more
The list is endless and your ideas matter. The thing is it doesn’t help if the thoughts stay in our heads and we don’t actually DO anything.
My challenge for you this Christmas and New Years is to consider Tikkum Olam- Repairing the World.
While we can’t do everything, we all can do something to make our world a better place.
Tikkun Olam.
If you are not Jewish, this is very likely a new phrase to you, it was to me. Traditionally, it means 'repair of the worlds' or in other words, making the world a better place for all living things.
I thought it an appropriate time of year to consider this statement since we seem to be quite consumed with either 'getting the perfect gift' or just 'getting it over with.'
How are we making our world a better place? I am not convinced that the latest video game, piece of jewellery or novelty mug is doing the trick.
Personally, I have been struggling with taking a mission trip to El Salvador this summer. My 17 year old daughter has committed to going and I told her some time ago that I would go if she would go. I really thought she wouldn’t go, but she is. Truthfully, I am petrified. Not of the danger so much as the emotional toil I know it will take from me. I do not want go, but feel I ‘should.’
When speaking with a woman who has done trips like this many times, I was talking about my fears. She told me in no uncertain terms to ‘get over myself’ and that this was not about me or saving the world. It is just about helping others who need help, period.
Then I learned about Tikkum Olam- and it seemed to be a perfect fit. Whether or not we travel to a third world country to help or simply consider how we can make the world a better place by simply BEING this holiday season and beyond..., what can we do TODAY, to make the world a better place for all living things? We can't all go to a third world country to make a difference but we can do things here.
· Foster a pet, visit a shut in
· Hold the door open for someone else
· Put $$ in the Salvation Army kettles
· Hug/ laugh/ smile more
The list is endless and your ideas matter. The thing is it doesn’t help if the thoughts stay in our heads and we don’t actually DO anything.
My challenge for you this Christmas and New Years is to consider Tikkum Olam- Repairing the World.
While we can’t do everything, we all can do something to make our world a better place.
Hey,I am glad you liked the newsletter and I would like to thank you for crediting the source, which shows your integrity shining though. Merry Christmas, Tamara! Stephanie Staples :)
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