How You Can Embrace Your Inner Child and Begin Again
Last week I started over. I joined with Jews around the world in starting over the annual cycle of reading through the entire Torah.
At synagogue, we read the final verses of the Torah, and then immediately read the opening ones. Tradition says we should try to say the last verse and the first one in the same breath!
This tradition celebrates the eternal, fruitful wisdom of God's word. But it does much more than that. It also reminds us of the opportunity and the sacred power to begin again.
How we need such opportunities!
When relationships fray, we can begin again. When we lose zeal for a job, we can begin again. When it feels like doubt drowning us, we can begin again.
How do we do so? It's not always easy. But it is always possible, so long as our minds and spirits are free.
First, take one step.
We do not have to see all the way ahead. We just need to see far enough to take the first step.
Do you remember the scene from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade where Indy has to cross a massive chasm with no bridge?
He can't jump across. He can't swing across it. His only clue are the words "Only in the leap from the lion's head will he prove his worth."
His first step is a "leap of faith," and with it the bridge appears under his feet.
Beginning again is a leap of faith. It is faith in ourselves and our power to keep going.
Second, embrace your inner child.
Rabbi Harold Kushner once told a story about watching kids build a sandcastle.
They spent hours perfecting each turret. They had intricate designs in the sand. Then a big tide flowed in and washed it away.
What did they do? They frowned, checked to see if anything remained, and when they realized it was gone, they looked at each other and started over. They began again.
Kids have a much easier time doing this than we do. When you start something new, try to summon your inner child. It's there. And it may give you a determination and optimism you didn't know you could muster.
Third, channel your nervous energy.
Almost every time I get up a speak I feel a little knot in my stomach. I feel it even if I'm giving a talk to ten kindergartners!
The only time I don't feel it is if I'm not focused or engaged with the talk. I don't feel it when my mind is elsewhere. So I've come to see the knot in my stomach as a positive sign.
It's a sign I'm taking a presentation seriously. Now I'm more worried if I don't feel it because it gives me energy and focus.
Many biblical figures display that nervous energy. When God tells Moses to return to Egypt and free the Israelites, Moses protests and tells God he is a simple shepherd and has no idea what to do or say to Pharaoh. He even has a nervous stutter.
And shortly after God calls Abraham to journey to the Promised Land, Abraham has a nightmare where he sees his descendants enslaved in Egypt. We can only imagine the anxiety he felt.
Both leaders channeled that energy for the good. And once they began, they couldn't stop.
Fourth, stay flexible.
Remember, you can always begin again!
As one rabbi friend of mine put it,
"Don’t call it a beginning with a capital B. There are no capital letters in the Hebrew language. It’s just a beginning, a getting started. If it doesn’t work, start again. And again, and again. "
All I can say to that is Amen.