Friday, June 19, 2009

Music and Praising G-d...

Aaaah!
I'm finally getting a chance to sit down and write! I've had some crazy weeks, moving apartments, packing and unpacking, and settling in. It's the end of the week, Shabbath is on it's way, and I can breathe easy.

I'm in town, sitting observing, thinking and writing.

Beside me are a group of young folks, creating beats and rhythms on their drums, guitars, and their hands and feet, singing the night away. "Hodu l'Hashem Ki Tov!" (Give thanks to G-d Who is good)

A few feet away is a group of Ethiopians who want a chance on the drums...and get it. Laughter.

A cool Jerusalem night. Music and praising G-d.
Ok. I'm in Heaven.

Where have I been all this time? Lost in work. Lost in bills. Lost in all sorts of distractions! Distractions!

But G-d has His ways of getting us back on track. Oh, didn't you know? Oh, yes. He didn't just create this little planet and say bye bye. Oh, no. He is very much in the world, in my world, and in yours.

He's even "talking" to you.
Hunh?
Oh, yes.

Problem is, dear reader, many times I don't hear so well. And sometimes, it seems I don't wanna hear. Oy vey. But He is persistent. And He sends messages to get me to notice Him as if saying, "Talk to Me!" "Sing to Me!" If I don't listen to the softer messages, He'll send LOUDER ones.

He is my Papa, after all. And He didn't create me only to leave me on my own. No, He is very much in the world, in my world, and in yours. But you have to want to hear His messages-look out for them. I don't mean superstitious-the black can ran passed me. I mean- these guys are playing music for G-d, am I playing my "music?"

What does my "song" sound like? How am I thanking Him? When was the last time I changed the tempo? Am I being creative? Am I singing by myself or am I letting others play along?

Ok, I may say, "Well if He wants me to talk to Him,why doesn't He get rid of some of my problems first?" or "I complain, er, talk to Him all the time!" or "What I've been doing the past 10 years is fine. I'm QUITE pious, you know...

Right.

Well, it all comes down to faith/emuna. True, it's not easy to maintain, given the onslaught we have to face in life. Continuing to believe in G-d's goodness, our goodness, and His love can be....HARD!

But it's Truth.

And it becomes easier to believe and maintain faith/emuna and hear G-d's messages once we slow down and begin a dialogue.

or a song...

G-d bless!

Check out: Garden of Emuna, Arush

3 comments:

The First Domino דומינו said...

From: Black Fire, White Fire:

Chaya writes with a poetic flair, connecting with her world in ways familiar only to poets.

I like this:

"What does my "song" sound like? How am I thanking Him? When was the last time I changed the tempo? Am I being creative? Am I singing by myself or am I letting others play along?"

The temptation for me is to sing by myself. I've only recently allowed others to sing along with me, and I usually relegate them to the chorus.

Namaste

Cilantro said...

Hey, Domino!
I haven't gotten to writing haikus, etc, like you, but who knows.
Thanks for the kind words.

re:song
I find that although life does present challenges and certain limitations, it's very empowering to know that I can choose the tune I'm singing and even the instrument I'm playing. To control rather than just be controlled by circumstances...

re: singing by oneself
I hear that. It's tricky finding ppl who hear the same music and can play along well. Afterall, you don't want cacophony! (Is that the right word?)

I remember once only singing by myself and not being interested in a chorus. But, shucks, harmony is just so much more interesting!
And I find that harmonizing w/ others is kind'a helping my inner chorus to sing better, ie. being at least on the same key! lol

slowly, slowly, the notes are coming together...
:)

The First Domino דומינו said...

"[I]t's very empowering to know that I can choose the tune I'm singing and even the instrument I'm playing. To control rather than just be controlled by circumstances..."

You're remembering the mastery that has always be yours.

I'm impressed!

You have always been a master, and now you're putting it to good use, knowing that circumstances are only as powerful as you allow them to be.

We can always choose mastery: to use situations, experiences, happenings, any way we wish--to decide, in that moment, what it is we're going to be relative to our circumstances.

Yes, that's control, and mastery, and most of all: It's divine: we get to create how we will experience a thing, simply by choosing our response.