Counting the Omer
I’ve decided to count the Omer (the 49 days between Passover and Shavuot) this year. In ancient times, the omer marked the start of the harvest when Jewish people would bring their first sheaves of grain to the temple as an offering of thanks.
I’ll admit that this sounded pretty obscure to me for many years, and I did not feel a connection or pull to participate in this ritual.
But, like many things that have shifted and taken on new shape and meaning over this past year, the chance to do something disciplined and intentional, that I know I can succeed at (I can for sure count to 49!) feels like a gift.
I am not a naturally disciplined person.
I have purchased a 3 day invigorating juice cleanse 3 times over the past year, each time thinking this would be a great way to kick off a new season. And I’m sure it is — for someone else. For me, by Noon each day the fresh pressed juices served as a refreshing beverage to the solid plate of food that I fixed for myself. I now know that I only fast one day a year, on Yom Kippur — and not even a sip of celery juice on that day!
But maybe this is too extreme an example.
Discipline doesn’t have to be starvation.
It is sitting in my chair for one hour every morning and working on my manuscript.
And then working up to two hours.
It is taking a walk - not every - but most days.
And of course, it is not eating bread or anything leavened over these 8 days of Passover. (And maybe a limit on chocolate covered macaroons…okay, no more after 8pm?)
So this year, I am going to count the 49 days. So far, I have successfully counted to 2, but I feel anchored, and optimistic that I will get there. I even bought a beautiful workbook to help me along, because I have learned to appreciate the small tangible items that ground me in daily ritual: fresh tulips, coffee scented candle, extra fine ballpoint pens and a little bit of practice, each day. Dayenu.
Wishing you all a meaningful Passover filled with practices that lift and ground you.