The road less travelled

Morning!

In about an hour, I start my first day of classes at Aish....kinda feels like the first day of school all over again. While hesitant at first, I'm pretty excited to learn. Growing up at Hebrew Academy, I took the words of my rabbis and teachers as words of truth and fact. Today, with opinions and subjectivity in my pocket, I am prepared to build on the foundation I received at HA, and hopefully challenge and question to better understand my place in Judaism.

The brain is like any other muscle in one's body...if you don't use it, you lose it! These next few weeks should re-kindle my intellectual and spiritual spark, providing me the opportunity to delve and discuss into matters previously mysterious.

I have an odd feeling. It's really weird. I'll give you an example....If I was back in Canada, I would shave. The fact is Lag Baomer has passed, and shaving is now permissible. Yet, I have decided not to shave until I return to Canada. Why? Because back home, with the beard, I stick out like a Canadian in Laos. Here, with the beard, I feel more accepted. Weird, huh?

I think that points to the fact that even today, as a man who is comfortable with his station in life, I still seek approval from those around me. To an extent that actually bothers me, but, on the other hand, if this feeling is to act as a sort of "conscience" for me, I am appreciative for it. I guess it's like anything else in life; it is what we make it.

Hope all is well back home. Go, Oilers, Go!!!