Twenty Two

Two days ago, on my birthday, I woke up at 5:45 to go walking down Eastern Parkway.

After a nurturing Pesach, resolutions are aplenty and the strength is coming from above.

This morning, after walking, I went to a shiur. That inspiration, too, came from above. And then, in that very class, the maamer we learned spoke about arousals pouring down from on high, and how the excitement doesn’t manifest unless you resolve personally to make a dent inside where the light can nestle.

This past year, there wasn’t so much arousal from above. This past year was a little more routine, a little more questioning, just a little more “I’m-up-against-a-wall.” In stark contrast was my time in Tzfas - a six-month soul retreat that that produced a new path in life, tremendous revelation and insight and (if I can say so myself) some magnificent, head-on writing. Visions of a stronger and more inspiring Mimi were, well, haunting me.

But something has clicked into place recently, and this year is going to be different.

This year, I’m not going to compare Mimi anymore, not even to myself.

This year, I’m going to take the light from above and do my part to give it an everlasting dwelling.

This year, I ask G-d to take me seriously and to expect a lot.

Hashem, bless me with continued strength to run in the direction of my dreams, to fulfill my potential with strength and vigor, and to constantly be moving, whether it's down Eastern Parkway or life’s other colorful and often winding paths.