I spent the last two days in synagogue praying for a good year, one filled with an abundance of good health, prosperity, peace, wisdom, and well-being. Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection. A time for repair. A time to make peace with our fellow man, our inner selves, and our G-d.We are called to conscience with the 100 blasts of the 'shofar', or rams horn. The root word for shofar is the same as my Hebrew name, Shifrah. It is a name I always found harsh, not really suitable for my personality. The hard f sound irked me. But I recently found out something about my name that changed my perspective.
The root word shefer means to beautify, repair and build. Just as a shofar's job is to help repair, build and beautify us every year as we begin again with a clean slate, I feel it is my life purpose to repair, build, and beautify whether I am painting a battered and neglected piece of furniture and breathing new life into it, or working with a coaching client on building a better life, repairing past damage one step at a time, beautifying by bringing out the inner gem that lies within each of them.
Every day, I look for the hidden meaning in life's challenges, work on repairing damaged relationships, treasuring life's gifts. It's not always so easy. There are many struggles; I lose my cool, my anger is something that I need to work on. The important thing is that I keep moving forward with hope, knowing that there is almost always another chance.
Over the Holiday weekend, I began to slowly repair the distance that was growing between myself and my 14 year old daughter. She stopped elbowing my head as I bent down to kiss her goodnight. She actually held my hand one night and fell asleep with her arm around me. I feel hopeful that this will be a positive week with better communication and peace.
So, it turns out that I was named 'Shifra' for a very good reason. I can't think of a better Hebrew name for me! Sometimes, if we give things enough time and change our perspective, we can learn to appreciate what we once found offensive. I did it with my name, now I must learn to apply that same lesson to the rest of my life.
What do you find offensive that could use a perspective shift?
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These days I make a point of not finding things offensive... I agree it's all about perspective... so anytime we ARE offended, it's all about how we're choosing to see it... I love how you decided to see your name differently (I guess you could have always change it!)... when I was young I never had a love for my Hebrew name, Simcha... I never realized that I DID think it was my lot in life to make people happy, my mother in particular (she named me after her own mother and always called me "mama'le")... now if anyone chooses to feels joy because of something I've said or done... I'm feeling pretty good about it... :)
ReplyDeleteSid, aka Simcha
Simcha, aka Sid, aka mama'le,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about your own experience with your Hebrew name. Being a catalyst for happiness and joy is quite an honor! And your name suits you well. May you merit bringing much more happiness and joy to the world!
Sandy, aka Shifra
Sandy, aka Shifra! What a wonderful Hebrew name. From the comment above and your post, it seems perhaps unbeknown to the giver of the game, it has been inspired by a greater source. Seems that each of your names means exactly who you are! Thank you for embracing the name that represents YOU! And, I apologize for being late, but happy Rosh Hashanah. May your year be full of happiness and prosperity in every area of your life.
ReplyDeleteHey Pat,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your warmth and love and ability to see Wisdom in all things on earth!
Love the new little icon you have next to your name, by the way. What does it stand for?
And thanks for your good wishes for the holiday. Right back at you for a great year, no matter your religion!
Hi Sandy,
ReplyDeleteThe new picture just feels like who I am really inside this body of mine. A curious, lively, and joyous being! Thank you for the New Year wishes. I do not subscribe to any "religion" but honor all paths. I think they are all spokes on a wheel pointing to the same Supreme Essence. It matters not what "spoke" you follow. Whichever one brings a person peace.