Tonight, as I wrote earlier, I spoke at Beth David B'nai Israel Beth Am (Yes, that really is the shu's name). Whenever I speak, as with most speakers, there is an introduction. The intro comes from my CV. It's an interesting thing to hear one's CV read aloud. Wow, did I actually do that? Boy, I'm actually pretty cool, and there is a reason people should listen to me.
I have discovered that although to me these are details of what feels like a normal life, others are impressed.
Yes there are cool things- I have been appointed a "Submarine Lady of the Submarine Force." I do have a certificate from the US Department of the Army in "The Spirituality of Trauma." I have been published, and I did receive an award from my USY Pilgrimage group (group 2 in 1985) "Most Likely to Marry a Rabbi."
Still, to me, this is just who I am. I forget that these are accomplishments. I forget the power I can wield, and I forget that I really can make a difference. Then I get to hear my CV read. It's a good reminder.
A parable I heard from Pete Seeger- there once were some seeds scattered to the wind. Some fell on the path and were trampled. Some fell on the rocks and so they didn't grow. But some fell on arable land and multiplied by the thousands. We never know when a word or deed will find that small spot of good growth material, but if we never cast our seeds, we'll never make a difference.
Each time I hear my CV read, and see the faces of those listening, I cast out my seeds to see where they may grow. The CV is the fertilizer that helps plant my ideas, my values and my teachings in the fertile minds and hearts of others.
Thanks for listening.
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