As I finish my 3rd box of matzah this week, I cannot help but reflect on Passover and Easter. Last Monday, 10 non-Jewish friends from all over the world (Scotland, Germany, Australia and the States) were in my home for a traditional Passover Seder. We laughed and shared as we told the story of Moses leading the Jews from slavery to freedom.
But what about slavery today? With human trafficking in Africa, children sold for slavery in India and slave workers in Pakistan, people all over the world are still tragically held hostage.
This horrifies us and yet, many of us are enslaved too. While we are blessed to be free in the United States, many of us hold ourselves hostage to harsh, negative thinking patterns that cause ourselves and others harm. Perhaps we are distant with love, hanging on to an old defense mechanism that served us well as kids. If you are like me, you think you're not good enough, "they" are not good enough or that others should think exactly like we do. In "The Resilience Factor" , Reivich & Shatte describe these thoughts as "iceberg beliefs" - thoughts that are so deep-rooted that we aren't conscious of them. Those that when hit, take our ship - our confidence, relationships, esteem - down.
I am learning, though, that we have a choice about these damaging beliefs. We can set them free. And thereby, set ourselves free.
Yesterday, I attended Catholic mass with friends for Easter (hey - they came to Passover Seder, right?) There, I understood the meaning of Easter for perhaps the first time. Easter is a celebration of rebirth. In this spirit, we can all begin anew. We can let old beliefs die. We can let go of old patterns that no longer serve us. We can choose to make room for new healthy beliefs, new loving thought patterns.
Together, these holidays tell a powerful story. We have been enslaved, but we can choose to be free.
Happy holidays to all.
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