Wow, 8 days with no posts – I know, pretty unacceptable in the blogging world, but until they manufacture a 25th hour to the day, there has just been no way!
I just wanted to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and convey my intention for you to bring everything you dream of into your lives this year. For the first time ever, in my life, I am really living my dream, and so it is more important for me than ever to continue to take inventory of what I have accomplished, succeeded and failed at, and what I want to do better.
I also wanted to stress that we cannot ask for anything at all, if we have not appreciated yet what we have in the present. I know it may sound hokey, but, it seems that every time I write about my appreciations for what has come into my life, more just comes in! And it seems that when I focus on what I don’t have that I want, more of what I don’t want comes in its place. So, once again – keep thanking whoever you want to thank for what you have. Don’t forget to be thankful for crazy things like tires on your car, and elevators, and hair color in a bottle. It’s the little things that make our lives interesting!
This year, I am asking God to help me find more ways to be a better, deeper, more productive person. I can’t expect anything more to come to me, without finding more ways to give. I’ve written about it before, but I really would like to become more involved in a charity that is meaningful in my life, and that I can make a difference in. I’m not sure what that is, but I intend to find it this year.
I’m incredibly excited (but a little nervous) about my Family Service at Temple Beth David in WPB. I’m so lucky to have found this amazing little Conservative synagogue up there with the coolest Rock and Roll Rabbi (Rabbi Michael Singer), the sweetest little Cantor (Cantor Jennifer Kanarek), and the most amazing Education Director (Rose Rosenkrantz) I have ever met. They are warm, loving, supportive, empowering, and creative. They have welcomed me into their world, and I cannot wait to be a part of it. They have been so generous to me already, by offering my family space in the services, and inviting me to dinner on Erev RH. I can’t wait to celebrate with them, and bring a warm, loving, exciting presence to their Family Service.
So, over the next few days, I will be vocalizing, practicing my guitar and warming up my fingers, meditating and getting focused for the upcoming services. Of course, I still have a new Sunday School program starting up this weekend, and weddings to write and plan, but, there just won’t be much spare time, so I may not be back until after RH.
In the meantime, L’shanah Tova. May God inscribe you in the Book of Life. May you achieve everything you dream of, and may you be blessed with a good year, an abundant year, a year of peace, and a year of blessings.
B’Shalom,
Dear Cantor Ballard…you have absolutely NO IDEA of how much you’ve touched my soul but, in time, you,too, shall learn. There is so much I want to communicate to you. Thank you for putting a smile on my lips and warmth in my heart. Considering it’s Friday afternoon, Shabat Sholom.