Sunday, September 08, 2002

The funny thing is, sometimes

The funny thing is, sometimes I actually get pretty spiritual.  This time of year is one of those times.  I’ve been trying to get a little deeper in preparation for the HH days - which for me mean four solid doses of communal chanting, spine-tingling music, powerful imagery and sublimely good vibes.  It’s pretty “berkeley,” but I’ve seen this stuff done so many different ways and these guys really tap in to something powerful. 

Here’s how seriously I take it: this year it’s making me miss both Happy Hour (itself a considerable tonic for the soul) and the final season premiere of the Sopranos, which has a special communal place in my heart also. 

So what do I get out of it?  I guess that’s up to me, but at least I’m giving myself the opportunity to find something.  Here’s the first thing that I want to remember: when we walked in, they asked us to take a small grey card from one basket and a small white card from another.  Mine said Balance (grey) and Persistence (white).  A few minutes into the service Avram said, “We had you take cards when you came in.  We haven’t done this before but someone told us about it and we liked it.  One card is your blessing - the thing that will be with you, supporting you all this coming year.  The other is your challenge - what you need to work toward, the goal you will have reached next time this happens.  However, which one is which is up to you.” Kel got “Skepticism” and “Skepticism.” My goose is cooked.