New York and other things
Shalom and yes, I’ll be going to New York. I got up this Shabbat with a lot of things on my mind and remembered that I have a Hebraic Journal to talk about just that!
Taking Flight
I have not been on a plane in almost 20 years. The last time was to Oklahoma and that was when I was a teenager. Now, I’m married, a father, and a lot less interested in adventure. Back then, I’d jump at the opportunity to go and do just about anything. Now? I just want to sit at home and be quiet while sipping on some tea. But, life waits for no one and we have things to do.
One of the reasons I started this journal for all to see was to show that even a teacher of the Scriptures devoted to Yah can be as human as the next person. To be honest, I’m nervous about this trip. I don’t even really want to go. New York is always in the news, has lately released a “So we’ve been nuked, what now?” PSA video, politics determines for whatever reason that NY is one of the best places to protest and be violent about it, and I have been on exactly one flight since 9/11 which was a very hard day for me (as well as for many others). So yes, even with my faith, I still have concerns.
But, that doesn’t mean I’m going to let them get the best of me. How can I exercise my faith unless I’m put into uncomfortable situations? That’s my first step in conquering this ungodly fear that is trying to rule my mind. I simply just can’t allow it to. I have also decided to make this an educational experience.
New York
If you’ve been with the website for a while, you may have read the narrative story The Man in Robes and Tassels. If so, you’d know that the story takes place in New York. What better use of my trip than to see the places in person I want many of the stories to take place? So, I’m going exploring. I’m going to use this trip to check out a few spots so I can have better knowledge of where my characters will be and how it can inform their conversations for education and meaningful heart-to-hearts. It may not be a trip I want to go on, but it’s a golden opportunity to advance the ministry.
Likewise, as I mentioned earlier, 9/11 was a hard day for me. There is someone in my life that was very close to what happened that day. I’m happy to say that they are alive and well today; but, there was a moment during the morning of 9/11 that I was almost certain they had perished in one of the attacks. It’s not my story to tell, so I will leave it out, but suffice it to say that every year around that time I revisit those memories. So, I’ll be going to the 9/11 Memorial, as well. Even now as I type this it is affecting me, but that is a very human response to trauma; a trauma I’ve decided to overcome with this trip. And that’s all I have to say on that for now.
Health
Over the years, I’ve had my share of health-issues. But, I’ve also found some methods to reverse much of them. Some are as simple as fasting (which I have and will talk more about in the Hebraic Health section) or sticking to a Mediterranean diet. Others require methods that require an open mind (no I’m not doing drugs…). I’ll be writing a post about that specifically in the near future, so be on the look out for that.
I’ve basically spent years and years researching and experimenting with various things and have finally come into what works for me. I’m not a doctor, so I can’t exactly prescribe things for people to do, but I can at least talk about my own experiences. As a Hebrew, there are of course certain things I have to avoid or choose to avoid due to my faith; but then there are topics that are effective in dealing with certain issues but require further understanding and sensitivity. I understand I’m being very vague, but I’m also being very open. It is not a violation of Torah, so that’s not a concern; it’s just that, like many things, it’s a delicate subject that requires and deserves a thorough explanation that I will give when I’m ready to.
As an example, remember when marijuana was just the absolute worse thing ever (no, I don’t do weed)? Now, it’s understood to be a medicinal herb with legitimate research backing its use. Does that mean we indulge and get high? No, of course not. But can we benefit from it in spite of its history of taboo and stigma? Absolutely. It’s like that, but different. To give a hint, it’s a a couple of exercise methods.
Anyways, my point is that what I’m doing is working and I’m looking forward to sharing it with everyone from a Hebraic Perspective. I think you may be surprised to find, like so many things, the church (or simple lack of understanding) largely ruined it and believers could have been benefiting from it all along. How’s that for a teaser!
Other things
The world and life in general are full of craziness and hardship, but is also full of joy and beauty. I hold on to those moments and cherish them as often as I can. With all that is going on in the world and in my own life, I’m making the conscious decision to see the good in everything I can while also not dwelling on the bad.
Some of the topics, like the ones I alluded to above, are sensitive ones, but as believers, I don’t believe we should be timid about them. The Scriptures themselves are full of very heavy topics and it pains me to see how much my fellow-believers avoid them just because of how uncomfortable they make them feel. Yah doesn’t tell us to be timid, sensitive, or to walk on eggshells; he calls us to be courageous, fearless, and to have a sound/peaceful mind in the midst of trials, tribulations, and hardships. Did David run and hide? No! He confronted Goliath and took charge of the entire situation. He told Sha’ul beforehand, “No one should lose heart because of him; your servant will go and fight this P’lishti.”
Well, I may not be fighting giants or armies, but I’ll at least talk about the things others shy away from. There are things that can help people in need and I’m not going to keep those things from people.
Life is good, you just have to know how to look at things. That’s the Hebraic Perspective, understanding things in ways the world doesn’t. Viewing them from the perspective that Adonai views them rather than from an earthly or human perspective.
I look forward to sharing my experiences in New York when I return. Until then, that’s all that’s on my mind. Shalom 🙂