SoulBalance

Pause for breath. What do you see first here? The bright sunshine on the trees or the rain cloud? Both simultaneously present as with many contradictory experiences in life. Becoming aware of each is an opportunity to reflect: how am I going to approach this next immediate moment, right now? There’s always a choice to embrace the sunshine despite the rain cloud. Pausing for a few seconds to realise this can transform the day.

Pause for breath in Central Park NY on New Year, sitting contemplating stillness in the midst of a challenging time. Being in nature in a city is especially powerful. We are reminded of the eternal cycle of seasons and renewal. Whatever happens out there, a momentary pause to experience peacefulness allows for hopefulness. Shanah tovah.

A Rosh HaShanah Mussar message from Rabbi Marcia Plumb:

"As we stand on the shores of a New Year, we are deeply aware that too many of our people are trapped in dark tunnels, too many hearts are broken, too many innocent lives have been lost.

This year, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur have come to help us dig deep to find what we need to have faith in the future, and in our ability to help bring a better one. Now is not the time to give up or despair."

May we each find what we need to add holiness to our world.

Shanah Tovah u’metukah, may it be a sweet year of peace for you and your loved ones, and for all humanity.

Please click on the link to read the whole message:

https://www.sbmussar.com/post/rosh-hashanah-mussar-message-of-hope

Being made in the image of God does not mean we are perfect. Far from it. In the Torah, God lost the Divine temper, and so do we. God acted impetuously out of pique over and over, and so do we.
But we also have endless potential to improve ourselves, be calmer, and have healthier better relationships. Because we are made in God’s image, we too have a bit of the power of Creation–we too can create something new.

Every encounter is a separate world, a fresh start. Even when we are in the same old argument–every conversation is new, with new possibilities. We create a new tiny world in every conversation.

We have free will to choose how we treat others. It is human to be overwhelmed by emotion, and lose it from time to time. But Mussar teaches us to pause before the anger, hurt or frustration overtakes us. Stop and take a Behira Point–a moment to choose. Stop before our emotion strikes the match and our fuse blows. What will we create in the next moment?
What world do we want to make in our next hard conversation? A world of connection or division? Hope or polarisation? Will we choose to be a creator or a destroyer?

by Rabbi

Another thoughtful post from Rabbi Marcia Plumb

Every Person is a Puzzle Piece for Someone Else’s Jigsaw by Rabbi Marcia PlumbHe (Ben Azzai) used to say: Do not be scornful of any person and do not be disdainful of anything, for you have no person without his hour and no thing without its place.” What does it mean: every person has their hour and everything has its place? It means that every person i...

Continuing our series of reflections for Elul- this period leading up to Rosh HaShanah, Rabbi Marcia Plumb asks - what is respect?

What is Respect, anyway, and why bother with it? By Rabbi Marcia PlumbSo far, I have talked alot about respect for others. But what does respect mean? I’ll start with what it doesn’t mean. To respect someone else, we don’t have to: • Agree with everything they say • Tolerate bad behaviour • Accept bullying • Stay in relationship with...

reflection #3 from Rabbi Marcia Plumb:

Is it possible to respect someone who spews lies and hate speech?

Click on the link below ⬇️

Is it possible to respect someone who spews lies and hate speech? By Rabbi Marcia PlumbOn returning to campus at the end of August, students at various American universities handed out antisemitic materials, implying they were from the administration. This was a terrible thing to do, obviously. How can we respect someone who spews lies and hate speech? Does someon...

Another beautiful reflection by Rabbi Marcia Plumb

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Children of God Elul reflection #2 by Rabbi Marcia PlumbWhat does it mean to be B’tzelem Elohim, a ‘child of God?’ My son is making a small stand out of wood. He continues to perfect it by sanding one bit, varnishing another, recutting a bit that sticks out, etc. He has tools set up on a table in the garage. ...

As we close out this week, we invite you to take a read of Rabbi Marcia Plumb’s reflection today, the 10th day of Elul.

https://www.sbmussar.com/post/if-we-disagree-can-we-still-be-friends

And we wish you and your loved ones a Shabbat of restoration, peace and gratitude in the quiet moments.

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I’m leading an online shacharit (morning service) in the morning. 8am. Lmk if you want to join and I’ll send you the link!

Calling fellow Jewish clergy! Rabbis and Cantors!

Invest in yourself and enjoy Mussar sessions especially for clergy with Rabbi Marcia expertly leading…

Special offer for next two sessions - just £20

head over to https://www.sbmussar.com/service-page/mussar-for-clergy for the details!

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Who is Majestic in your life??

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