Pigeons, Leadership and Prayer

PIGEONS

All things pigeon: Carrier pigeons, Venice, Italy and big cities, pigeon pose in Yoga, and have you heard about the good luck pigeon poop brings? On your car or on you, money is coming. I know I am going to be a billionaire because somehow two pigeons made their way into my home and pooped everywhere. I AM READY and MY SUCCESS IS INEVITABLE.

Back to the pigeons, did you know that they are also kosher? As a Yoga teacher, I can testify that the Pigeon Pose is a favorite, especially for men with tight hips and glutes. There are so many variations, and when I am in it, I visualize my one long leg behind me as a pigeon tail. Who gave it this name? I have no idea, but I always entertain my Jewish clients by revealing that pigeons are kosher. I have been to Venice, Italy and absolutely love it, when worked on Norwegian Cruise Line for three years, traveling all over the world. Actually I love Italy period, my favorite country full of oomph! I do not have much to say about carrier pigeons, but it is fascinating that before modern technology, how messages got from point A to point B.

LEADERSHIP

Did you know that there is a direct line from Moshe Rabeinu to Rambam? Such an interesting class by Rabbi Moshe Levin – Pico Chabad Los Angeles, all about how our Rabbi’s and courts came to be. What is a leader? In my opinion, we can all be a leader with our passion and purpose. Nobody will have your soul, your energy, your unique idea or your gift. NOBODY. The Lubavitcher Rebbe reminds us to all be lamplighters, and outside of Israel that is the weekly Torah Portion, Beha’alotcha. Anybody can light the menorah, however only the cohanim can prepare the wicks and the oil. We can light each other up, but we still need our leaders and our mentors. Most importantly we need each other. When we love our fellow like ourselves, that is when magic happens. BE A LEADER. Who are you listening to? Who are your mentors? Who are your teachers? Who do you surround yourself with? THE WORLD NEEDS YOU.

PRAYER

I did not understand prayer until recently. Do you pray? Coming from the former Soviet Union, prayer was illegal. We were Jewish by nationality, it said “Hebrew” on our passport. My parents were so brave to leave everything behind, for my brother and I to live as proud Jews. My family arrived in Denver, Colorado in 1980, because we were sponsored by a close relative, and the Rabbi’s said that we have to go to a school in the community in order to get a Jewish education, which we would not get in public school. I learned everything in that school, such as prayers, laws, holidays and how to read and write. At home my parent’s were blank slates, and for my personality that was perfect. Learning and absorbing, but not being forced into one way of being. As you see all around you, there are many different ways of being Jewish.

There is a big difference between meditation and prayer. As a Yoga teacher for 25 years, the style I taught was about a mind and body connection. When we move, our brain cannot focus on other things, and when we pay attention to our breath, there is no yesterday or tomorrow. It takes time to develop this focus, because if you are not paying attention, you can get hurt. It is not the extremes of Cirque du Soleil or laying around in stillness. It is also not a competition or comparison. Also we are different every day, somedays you feel full of energy, and other days you are grateful to just show up. Meditation is disconnecting from the world we know, and going deep into ourselves. It is very personal, and honestly for me it is the hardest to accomplish, because I like to be in the world. For many people it feels so good, they think that is the ultimate place to be. Judaism is about bringing our natural high back into the world.

Prayer is is how we disconnect from ourselves and connect to something greater. I understand it more than ever how important it is to let go and let God. When we pray, we are turning to our creator, and that is the ultimate connection. We are not in control, we cannot do it ourselves, and there is a divine plan. How we maneuver is our free choice, but the exact place you are right now, is where you would have ended up no matter which path you chose to get there.

Thank God after getting married 18 years ago, I started my journey toward observant life. Torah learning is like breathing, especially Chassidut. I am listening to classes nonstop, and love to see gems about the weekly Torah portion, and enjoy all the rituals and celebrations. My husband and I were blessed to have three kids in a row, so motherhood took over. I talk to Hashem 24/7, and have always trusted my gut feelings, and they have never steered me wrong. Tefila, which is a mix of daily prayers and Tehilim, are harder for me to grasp. Luckily the melodies from the prayers I learned in my elementary school, Hillel Academy, are helping me find my way back. Also my wonderful friend Chaya Bracha and her family are such a source of wisdom and guidance, especially her beautiful mother and my friend, Yael bat Chaya, I think of her health every day and have her in my prayers. I am so proud of myself, that with Chaya Bracha’s direction, I am saying my morning prayers every day, and I feel like I need it. It feels so good, and most importantly to start your day with “Modeh Ani Lefanecha, Melech Chai Vikayom, Shehechezarto Bi Nishmoti Bechemla Raba Emunatecha.” The moment you open your eyes, you are thanking the creator for returning your soul for another day, pure gratitude is your first thought, speech and action.

Shabbat Shalom