Wellness

The Gift

By Rachel Kann

Don't I know this

Feeling of homelessness.

And don't I know

How real the loneliness

In your bones is.

Slow down and notice 

The gloriousness afforded;

The view through the newly-opened window 

Of your broken heart.

This gift of clear vision.

Think on

The sacred company 

You're in:

Has there been one instance

Of wisdom 

In the history

Of this misbegotten existence

Elicited from anything but heart-brokenness?

It is an act of grace

To shatter the packaging,

To peel the encasement,

To reveal your true soul’s face and,

Say, with outstretched arms,

Here, here is the shape of my heart.

There is nothing left 

but to be swept 

away by love.

Kohenet Keshira haLev Fife (https://www.keshirahalev.com) offers eight questions to guide us in reflection as we wind down and look ahead to a new secular year. Inspired by the great teacher, Rabbi Shammai, who starts Hanukkah with eight candles lit and ends with just one candle, this ritual invites us to count down and release as we move toward (and embrace) the darkest part of the year. 

8) What is something you're ready to leave behind this year? 

7) What is something you have less of now than you did at the beginning of the year, that you're glad about? 

6) What is a habit, practice, routine or belief that you have released this year? 

5) What is an obligation that you were able to lay down this year? Is there something you are secretly glad you didn't have to do? 

4) What is something you released that has given new life elsewhere? 

3) What is something you're savoring from this past year that is likely to go away or end when this pandemic time is over? 

2) With all you've let go of this past year, what has it made room for? 

1) What has been the biggest blessing of this time? What do you want to take with you into the new year?