More Wholesome Goodness from Saturday’s Service

We read The Shema at the beginning of morning and evening prayer. Usually, The Shema focuses on gratitude and the beginning of good tidings. The female Rabbi led a discussion on the Shema and asked everyone what they think, feel, and do when they read the Shema.

Most mention they read it first thing in the morning when they wake up and thank God for giving them the gift of another day. Others mentioned gratitude. I raised my hand and I mentioned, “I read it after I do my Happiness Box Project. It’s a personal project I do where I either record gratitude or joys of the day or both. For me, it’s a wonderful ritual of giving thanks.” The Rabbi loved that and she said that sounded really beautiful. It inspired others to talk about how they use it as a form of gratitude as well.

I might try reading The Shema before I write for the Happiness Box and see if it has the same feeling. It made me feel good to be acknowledged and it makes me feel oh so good to be welcomed.

Oh, some good news! I got this! I feel comfortable with my reading. It’s only a line. I just did a transliteration (yes, I will be reading the Latin words so I can read the Hebrew… I’m still new and I need it, I think it’s understandable to others) and Hebrew is really not that radically different from Arabic. The sounds are similar, so I got this! I got this! I got this! I got this. I’m both excited and nervous.