by Lisa Millard
I try to strive to let my soul lead and when I honestly can, I feel the harmony inside of me.
I was blessed to be an active participant in the JWRP mission for the third time this summer. Yet as lovely as the group of Cleveland women were and lead by our two amazing leaders, Reb. Ruchi, bus leader as well, and our city leader Kimmy, I didn’t have the spiritual connection as in the past two missions that carried me for years. It was one I so badly was yearning for and I was upset that I didn’t feel it as much. Each day I was praying for that “shot” in the arm, especially this summer as I am trying to sort through the loss of my father coupled with trying to sort out how my dear friend is wrestling so badly with cancer.
Yet, as I kissed my kids good night after being back less than 48 hours from the breathing in the air of Israel I blurted out: "Do you realize what Mommy did within the past 14 days? I climbed down Masada, floated in the Dead Sea, rode a camel, shared Shabbat with the IDF Navy Seals, danced and sang at the Western Wall, visted an army base, delivered beautiful hand-made dolls that Mrs. Rosner made and delivered them with Julie Soroka to sick children at Hadassah Hospital, participated in watching a Torah scroll being written, ate delicious meals and shopped with friends, met other women and Rabbis from all over the world, rode bikes through Tel-Aviv, visited an artist I love, and ate with Beth at The Black-Out restaurant, where you sit in the pitch dark and dine to feel the experience of being blind." How can you not have anything but gratitude after that experience?
Wow, as I laid down to sleep a light shined, and I did after all get that “shot” in the arm I was yearning for.
You do need the balance of body (physical) and your spirtual soul. I don’t think I realized how much I have ignored my physical side this past year by being a mom, working full time, living within hospital walls, consumed with doing mitzvahs, praying and trying to connect more than ever with G-d for the healing of my father and my 'beauty of strength' friend, coupled with my heart filled with gratitude for the love and support of the JFX family who prayed, did many mitzvahs and never let our family fall (from meals, baking challah, to listening ears, hugs at just the right time, prayer circles and more).
The JWRP mission replenished the physical side of me and perhaps set me back in balance.
You don’t have to go to Israel to tap into your body and soul. I encourage you, my dear friends, to check your balance and make time to explore that healthy balance of body and soul, filled with gratitude and love, that I tended to ignore for too long. I’m grateful that I did, after all, get that “shot” in the arm I needed.
