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ysobelleI feel better. Thanks, everyone. It's appreciated. This would be why I have a Live Journal in the first place. And I SWEAR, it is NOT a full moon yet. That's Wednesday. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/docs/MoonPhase.php#y2007
I kicked some corsetting ass this evening, which surprised me, as I usually give myself Mondays off. But in sorting out the massive amounts of work I have, I found some of my pieces have gotten mixed up. It's annoying, but I have pattern pieces, so I'll just sort it all out tomorrow.
Whilst glued to "Holmes on Homes" this afternoon, I got a horrible little shock of perspective: massive basement overhaul redone for a family, with Mike pushing the job as fast as possible because the homeowner and her husband were about to have a baby. Lots of "We gotta get this done for the baby!" Usually, then, the title card at the end is something about the baby's birthday, or a photo of the happy family. This time, a black titlecard with the words, "In Memory of Baby Emma: June, 2006." That was a gut-punch.
I didn't get to meditate for Yom Kippur this year. Too busy hanging with the fabulous![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
foxglove_8778 and basking in her glorious presence (and watching "Pride & Prejudice" while trying to avoid looking at her sammiches). While I wish she could have stayed longer, I also wish I'd just taken a few minutes to concentrate on the holy day. Part of my brain-- the primitive part, I think-- wonders if somehow this crashing wave of trauma is a result of my not paying enough attention to the day. But I've never believed that G-d is that petty. We don't understand the scale upon which G-d/The Creator/The Force moves. One of the things that foxglove_8778 and I talked about was that Jews don't do things for the promise of eternal life in G-d. We do things because they're the right things to do. The purpose of life isn't to get to heaven: it's to do good works for your fellow human here on earth. To be a good person.
We have, traditionally, 613 Mitzvot, or commandments. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/613_mitzvot) But usually, when someone says they've done a mitzvah, it means they've done something good. The highest mitzvah, for example, is doing something for which you can never expect repayment: doing something good for someone who is dead. Only slightly below that is doing charity anonymously.
I try, for the most part, to live a good life. On some of the commandments, I missed the boat. I've gone to funerals for those who weren't relatives, I've never worn priestly garments during services, and I've never met a cheeseburger I didn't like. And don't get me started on shellfish. But check out #8 on the above-linked list. I try that one. I give to charity. I treat my animals with care. I've never had sexual relations with my father's sister's son-- which would be difficult, seeing as Dad only has a brother. But you get the idea. I try. And in the end, I trust that I'll have lived a mostly-worthwhile life, and children won't dance in the street upon hearing the news of my demise.
In the end, of course, that's all anyone can do, really. Be a lightning rod for bad things: if they strike you, send them into the ground and away. Be a prism for good things: diffuse them and send them out into the dark.
A prosperous New Year to all of you.
I kicked some corsetting ass this evening, which surprised me, as I usually give myself Mondays off. But in sorting out the massive amounts of work I have, I found some of my pieces have gotten mixed up. It's annoying, but I have pattern pieces, so I'll just sort it all out tomorrow.
Whilst glued to "Holmes on Homes" this afternoon, I got a horrible little shock of perspective: massive basement overhaul redone for a family, with Mike pushing the job as fast as possible because the homeowner and her husband were about to have a baby. Lots of "We gotta get this done for the baby!" Usually, then, the title card at the end is something about the baby's birthday, or a photo of the happy family. This time, a black titlecard with the words, "In Memory of Baby Emma: June, 2006." That was a gut-punch.
I didn't get to meditate for Yom Kippur this year. Too busy hanging with the fabulous
foxglove_8778 and basking in her glorious presence (and watching "Pride & Prejudice" while trying to avoid looking at her sammiches). While I wish she could have stayed longer, I also wish I'd just taken a few minutes to concentrate on the holy day. Part of my brain-- the primitive part, I think-- wonders if somehow this crashing wave of trauma is a result of my not paying enough attention to the day. But I've never believed that G-d is that petty. We don't understand the scale upon which G-d/The Creator/The Force moves. One of the things that foxglove_8778 and I talked about was that Jews don't do things for the promise of eternal life in G-d. We do things because they're the right things to do. The purpose of life isn't to get to heaven: it's to do good works for your fellow human here on earth. To be a good person. We have, traditionally, 613 Mitzvot, or commandments. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/613_mitzvot) But usually, when someone says they've done a mitzvah, it means they've done something good. The highest mitzvah, for example, is doing something for which you can never expect repayment: doing something good for someone who is dead. Only slightly below that is doing charity anonymously.
I try, for the most part, to live a good life. On some of the commandments, I missed the boat. I've gone to funerals for those who weren't relatives, I've never worn priestly garments during services, and I've never met a cheeseburger I didn't like. And don't get me started on shellfish. But check out #8 on the above-linked list. I try that one. I give to charity. I treat my animals with care. I've never had sexual relations with my father's sister's son-- which would be difficult, seeing as Dad only has a brother. But you get the idea. I try. And in the end, I trust that I'll have lived a mostly-worthwhile life, and children won't dance in the street upon hearing the news of my demise.
In the end, of course, that's all anyone can do, really. Be a lightning rod for bad things: if they strike you, send them into the ground and away. Be a prism for good things: diffuse them and send them out into the dark.
A prosperous New Year to all of you.
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Date: 2007-09-25 01:58 pm (UTC)*hugs* I hope the rest of your week is better then the beginning has been
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Date: 2007-09-25 01:59 pm (UTC)Now onto the joking side of this - esp #612 and #613. Just tell me which one I'm having sexual relations with and who I'm selling into slavery.
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Date: 2007-09-25 02:25 pm (UTC)What I meant to say is I'm not jewish but I should life my life by some of those commandments.
Need more caffiene before I post..
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Date: 2007-09-25 02:02 pm (UTC)I like that alot..I may have to print that out and put it up on my wall. Its a good reminder.
I'm not Jewish, but happy new year to you too. Maybe it be blessed and prosperous for you in all ways possible, love. (hug)
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Date: 2007-09-25 02:31 pm (UTC)I so agree with your comment: "Jews don't do things for the promise of eternal life in G-d. We do things because they're the right things to do. The purpose of life isn't to get to heaven: it's to do good works for your fellow human here on earth. To be a good person." and once I saw it in print I realize that that is generally who I am as well.
I am very glad to know you and do enjoy following your LJ.
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Date: 2007-09-25 06:49 pm (UTC)I'd often wondered exactly where the not eating shelfish or pork came from. Thank you for the link, chica. I'll spend some time reading it later today.
I know you've got good support from awesome people but hey, I'm extra ears if they're needed at any time. :) And when crap like this storms through sometimes it's good to remember that the reed that bends to the wind is the one that lives through the gale... the Lexus gets carried over the state line and dumped on top of a mobile home.
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Date: 2007-09-25 10:03 pm (UTC)Congrats on getting so much done! Go girl!
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Date: 2007-09-26 03:16 am (UTC)(I still fondly, FONDLY remember breaking fast with you at the Melting Pot after services -- my first Yom Kippur, even! Mmmmm, Melting Pot.)
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Date: 2007-10-07 11:28 pm (UTC)