The Power of Play
Newsletter January 9, 2023 Together, we're #keepingitsacred... The rabbis knew that the quality of being human involves hardship. Pain. Discontent. The Mishnah puts it well, “Rabbi Tarfon said: The day is short, the work is abundant, the workers are indolent… and the Master of the house is insistent.” (Pirkei Avot 2:16)
Human existence is predicated on challenge. Sometimes even overwhelm. This is why it is so important to celebrate wins and take some time for play and rest and rejuvenation. To enjoy some levity.
So when joyful moments present themselves, it is important that we uplift them.
Our community recently celebrated our three year anniversary of beginning Daf Yomi/ our daily study of Talmud. We gathered and celebrated this great accomplishment together. We were able to lift up gratitude to one another for helping to shape our insights and understanding. And we were able to encourage one another to keep studying. We were able to reflect on the ways that this intellectual practice, in turn, fueled our spirits.
Plus, to make it even more playful and special, we wore funny hats! Human beings need these moments of joy and play together. And being in community (especially the tenderhearted, global community like ours is), celebrating wins is not only fun but can also be deeply spiritually rejuvenating-- and it was!
For each of us, it is critical to prioritize opportunities to rest and play and celebrate with loved ones. For some, winter break from the school year allowed that respite. For me, this was a time to enjoy community, colleagues, family. To show up for people in their holiday celebrations, and to stand with them in solidarity in their protests. It was a time to get outdoors and marvel at nature- intense weather, and stunning sunsets. To enjoy board games and puzzles and basketball with my kids.
Life can be hard and unsettling. It can throw us for a loop and cause us to worry about the future. Or, we may find that we are planning big things for the future, but then worry about the work that it will take to get us there. Life can be heavy. This is why, especially at the outset of a new year, it is important to replenish our souls to fuel us for the work ahead with delight. However you enjoy down time, I hope that it replenishes you in your soul.
Oh and by the way, that’s not all that Rabbi Tarfon said in the Mishnah. He also added that, “the reward is great.” With this statement, he all but guarantees that all the hard work will count for goodness cosmically-- and it will if we make it count by making time to enjoy it along the way. So may it be!
This is how, together, we’re #keepingitsacred…. Rabbi Heather Miller Founder, Keeping It Sacred |
The above is an excerpt from a Keeping It Sacred newsletter. If you want to read the entire newsletter or any from our archives, please head over to: keepingitsacred.com/news And if you'd like the newsletter delivered to your inbox every week, please share your name and email address in the fields at the bottom of the page in the purple boxes. Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred… |