Fellow Schwartz, I am in awe of so much of you but this later stage “career” life journey path may be the pinnacle. In short, you are inspiring, and I would go to any Shul/temple you led.
The line that is really helpful to me today is "Maybe I didn't need more self-confidence, but more humility. What a great concise insight! I'll be repeating that to myself as i take on things that scare me. The problem is not being "ready," but thinking we have to be perfect, or something like that. I have often found that paralyzing, or at the least, a quagmire. (That's one thing that it means to me.) Here's to accepting imperfection (knowing there will sometimes be criticism etc. if we're public) and moving forward. Thanks!
And, congratulations! For so many things. I've loved watching, and sometimes being part of, your journey over, what? The last decade. 💜🌈
I love how sharing the pic with you brought back a message (in the form of your post) that I needed to hear, as I sit here on the edge, yearning to leap into new things. I’m all in for this: “embracing the not knowing as a potent place to dwell.” Thank you for this boomerang message, friend.
I love this so much, Jena! Love the juxtaposition of confidence and humility! You've nailed it--how both are needed, and just that knowledge (whether conscious or unconscious) makes us ready to leap! That photo!! Your own leap and your sharing of the process is incredibly inspiring. Thank you!
I too have put off things for time and money and then leaped in. For me actually writing my book. I wonder sometimes if I waited too long or if the experience I needed to have came when it needed to.
I don't feel pulled to something (pauses to assess if that's true) but I feel on the verge of something. I'm kind of impatient to know what and simply trying to say yes to possibility and curiosity to see what new doors open.
Also, this line struck me "Judaism is a tradition that rests on asking questions even more than it cares about settling on answers." I wonder if this urge is what led you to poetry too.
Karin – it's an abbreviation for "too long, didn't read" – a way of saying "here is what this post is really about." I suspect it emerged as a reflection of our truncated attention spans.
Jena, I wish you much success, & more, I wish you JOY, in your next chapter.
I've also put off & waited & mulled over & do I know enough? I KNOW I don't know enough. ... about writing ... about becoming an artist (a silk painting class in my late 40's led to selling my floral art, within a few months, and my silk Judaica in less than a year ... until a 2nd toxic exposure tanked my immune system, including allergies to dyes and resists ... tho' I still draw & think about trying watercolor). Childhood dreams of becoming a Cantor will remain dreams even though, at 75 I could still learn Hebrew and apply to Cantorial school. But a Cantor/Cantorial soloist needs to be in community, amidst her congregation ... and my current immune-system keeps me homebound. I've joined 2 hybrid Shul choirs and one virtual Jewish choir and sing with each when my health allows.
Just before Covid shutdown I took a Writing Through Jewish Lens-A Jewish Women's Writing Workshop by Joan Leegant at Hebrew College. That workshop, and reading your blog, and some other blogs dealing with Jewish life, has resurrected my lifelong (but often interrupted) need to write, and has inspired me to try to do more.
Last Monday I had my first work published ... an essay in The Jewish Writing Project.
Thank you for your past, and continuing, inspiration. Bravo for following through on your dreams.
Fellow Schwartz, I am in awe of so much of you but this later stage “career” life journey path may be the pinnacle. In short, you are inspiring, and I would go to any Shul/temple you led.
Me too! 😁
You are definitely ready enough!
Not just ready... but your clear and beautiful voice is needed. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️
Thank you Jena.
Julia Kristeva called the process of knowing oneself an endless "recommencing".
Inspiring post!
When i would go to Vipassana (buddhist) meditation retreats in Shelburne Falls, my favorite daily line, said many times, was "begin again."
The line that is really helpful to me today is "Maybe I didn't need more self-confidence, but more humility. What a great concise insight! I'll be repeating that to myself as i take on things that scare me. The problem is not being "ready," but thinking we have to be perfect, or something like that. I have often found that paralyzing, or at the least, a quagmire. (That's one thing that it means to me.) Here's to accepting imperfection (knowing there will sometimes be criticism etc. if we're public) and moving forward. Thanks!
And, congratulations! For so many things. I've loved watching, and sometimes being part of, your journey over, what? The last decade. 💜🌈
I love how sharing the pic with you brought back a message (in the form of your post) that I needed to hear, as I sit here on the edge, yearning to leap into new things. I’m all in for this: “embracing the not knowing as a potent place to dwell.” Thank you for this boomerang message, friend.
I. Needed. This. Right. Now. ❤️
I love this so much, Jena! Love the juxtaposition of confidence and humility! You've nailed it--how both are needed, and just that knowledge (whether conscious or unconscious) makes us ready to leap! That photo!! Your own leap and your sharing of the process is incredibly inspiring. Thank you!
I too have put off things for time and money and then leaped in. For me actually writing my book. I wonder sometimes if I waited too long or if the experience I needed to have came when it needed to.
I don't feel pulled to something (pauses to assess if that's true) but I feel on the verge of something. I'm kind of impatient to know what and simply trying to say yes to possibility and curiosity to see what new doors open.
Also, this line struck me "Judaism is a tradition that rests on asking questions even more than it cares about settling on answers." I wonder if this urge is what led you to poetry too.
Excited for you to be saying yes to this call.
Saying yes to curiosity and possibility is such a daily practice, isn't it? xoxo
Very curious about your title ... what does it mean?
Karin – it's an abbreviation for "too long, didn't read" – a way of saying "here is what this post is really about." I suspect it emerged as a reflection of our truncated attention spans.
Jena, I wish you much success, & more, I wish you JOY, in your next chapter.
I've also put off & waited & mulled over & do I know enough? I KNOW I don't know enough. ... about writing ... about becoming an artist (a silk painting class in my late 40's led to selling my floral art, within a few months, and my silk Judaica in less than a year ... until a 2nd toxic exposure tanked my immune system, including allergies to dyes and resists ... tho' I still draw & think about trying watercolor). Childhood dreams of becoming a Cantor will remain dreams even though, at 75 I could still learn Hebrew and apply to Cantorial school. But a Cantor/Cantorial soloist needs to be in community, amidst her congregation ... and my current immune-system keeps me homebound. I've joined 2 hybrid Shul choirs and one virtual Jewish choir and sing with each when my health allows.
Just before Covid shutdown I took a Writing Through Jewish Lens-A Jewish Women's Writing Workshop by Joan Leegant at Hebrew College. That workshop, and reading your blog, and some other blogs dealing with Jewish life, has resurrected my lifelong (but often interrupted) need to write, and has inspired me to try to do more.
Last Monday I had my first work published ... an essay in The Jewish Writing Project.
Thank you for your past, and continuing, inspiration. Bravo for following through on your dreams.
Karin Sprecher