What does it take for me to let “this little light of mine” shine?! She let’s it shine, she let’s it shine, she let’s it shine. Do we get in our own way??? Maybe.
There is a Survivor’s Guilt few of us talk about and even fewer realize. When we “survive” a spiritual battle, unsure if we should have, the “rightness” of being in this world remains under serious questioning, perpetual probation. This is a form of survivors guilt, a form of self-imposed ostracism. We are not quite….through.
Maimonides (1138–1204) related the rules of ostracism, self imposed or otherwise, usually 30 days, a full cycle of the moon, a cycle of mourning. Strikingly, if one dies before the ostracism is lifted (by self, the courts, or three others on the request of the ostracized), the ostracized is denied a eulogy and a stone is placed on the casket representing the stoning of ostracism. How many of us would have the stone on our casket if we died today? How many of us are unsure of how to let the light shine or are still in the fire of Hashem?
May those in that fire today feel the living hope that lies in the flames, knowing all is well, knowing that good is everlasting and wickedness dies, in body and memory. Good always prevails. Life is eternal. This news can be found in a sunrise, a mountain, a tree, a bird song, a rose. It can be found everywhere and anywhere, especially in the flames consuming us.
Love this!!! Thank you for the reminder of finding the news each and every day!!
I’m a long time lover of Odetta….so wonderful to hear her strong voice again. And provokes this question for myself–what is the fire consuming me? Thank you!
Wonderful to share with you!