Defying Gravity

One of the beauties of Yiddishkeit (and a principle in Chassidus that I recently learned about) is the ability to take the good from the bad. To elevate that which is mundane to something pure, holy and beautiful.

Sometimes it's a stretch, sometimes it's debatable, but if you look for beauty, you'll see it. That being said, I was in the car today driving with some friends and we were listening to Wicked. For those of you who haven't heard/seen Wicked, you are missing out. The story is a bit sketchy, but the music is stunning and profound. Below are the lyrics to what I feel is a song that most people need to sing daily.

It's time to try 

Defying gravity 

I think I'll try 

Defying gravity 

And you can't pull me down!...

I'm through accepting limits

cause someone says they're so 

Some things I cannot change 

But till I try, I'll never know! 

Too long I've been afraid of 

Losing love I guess I've lost.

How often are we told "You can't," "It's not possible, don't try?" Do you realize how much of the world would be different if someone didn't swim against the tide and try the impossible? This past Shabbos in shul, my Rabbi was addressing the graduates of the congregation. He said, never stop being idealistic. Dream big. Don't let people tell you "you can't" stop you. Because if you do, you might never be the person you are destined to be. Sometimes, it seems impossible, but you have try defying gravity. Whoever said "it's impossible" never tried hard enough. (With the exception of nailing jell-o to a tree.)

Moving On

You know those flowery mashals about life being a chance to plant roots, sprout and burst forth, growing into something stupendous? As I reflect onto the past, I wonder how many roots I firmly planted and what sort of impression I left on the places I've been to and the people I've met.
Did I portray an image that I can be proud of in later years?
Did I help someone in need?
Was I a friend when someone was lonely?
That's one side of the coin...
On the other hand, every tree, in order to grow healthy needs some maintenance... some pruning and trimming in order to become tall and strong.
Clearing out years worth of papers, emptying shelves and boxes full of... "memories?" It's amazing to see the changes I've made, even when it seems like I remained stagnant.
But the time has come... I'm moving on. I'm taking a step into a brand new world, a less sheltered world. I'm traveling a road that I barely knew of.
I'm moving on from who I was... to who I can be.
So yea, I left some roots in my past... I planted some seeds of my own (I hope), but there comes a time to cut off the decaying branches, to clear away the rotting leaves to make way for new growth, new radiant foliage...
I'm moving on.

Little Leaf

Little leaf
Please hold on tight
Though you may think its time
You're not ready to take flight...

Yes, the other leaves around you
Are falling, flying fast
But you're time little one
Has not come to pass

You must hold on
For there is so much you need
Please listen to my words
Take note, please heed

The winds around you
May be blowing hard and strong
For you little leaf
It is imperative that you hold on!

I see you struggling
Torn between what is happening to you
Little leaf, listen closely,
Your time is not through!

If you let go
You won't live on
You'll fly off into the wind,
Though free you might be, you'll simply pass along

You'll fly into the sky
Soar for a bit, and then what?
Beneath someone's foot, or in a car tire
You will be crushed and caught

Little leaf, listen!
I beg of you, please!
Hold on tightly
Along with the other leaves!

Don't let yourself be pulled
Or blown into the wind,
Under foot, or under cars
Little leaf, do you wish to be pinned?

Wouldn't you rather,
Be safe attached to a big strong tree,
That can help you to live life long
Safely and happily?

Little leaf,
This is the life for you!
Don't let the wind push you around
Or tell you what to do!

Little leaf,
Don't you know,
That if your "stuck to this tree"
It's the only way you can grow?