Eleven Days of Omer 5777

Today is eleven days, which is one week and four days, ofthe Omer. Netzach in Gevurah, Endurance in Discipline.

Holdingsteadfast to negative judgements comes easily to me. Staying clear eyed andfocused on my path is eternally difficult. Every day, I battle my Yetzer HaRa,my inclination towards destruction. I am trying hard to discipline my childrenby first disciplining myself - gaining control of my feelings before reactingto my precious toddlers. It doesn't always work - sometimes, the bite of ateething toddler is too much.

May we all resolve to endure, to accept our own faults andkeep moving forward toward the vision of ourselves connected to deep truth,meaning, and love. This is the endurance in discipline I strive for.

(And maymy discipline endure this weekend - may I hold fast to my resolution to lookwithout buying at the LA Times Festival of Books -- except for age-appropriatekids' books. Why yes, we do already own a treasure box of Harry Potter, BeverlyCleary, and Roald Dahl...)