“Wisdom comes from shared struggle.” “Move to a place of learning.” Do not go at it alone. Such fitting words for the time we’re living in.

In challenging times, we can either put up walls or we can break them down and be open to learning from our experiences. We can resist the change or we can be open to the possibilities that change brings. We can bury our heads in the sand or we can look around and gain knowledge and awareness of what is going on around us. And guess what? We don’t have to go at it alone.

There are two things that I want you to take away from today’s writing as you navigate through these not so normal times. The first is that things are what they are. You can either ignore it and get frustrated that they are not different or you can surrender to it. By surrendering, you are acknowledging reality and pursuing your journey from that truth. By surrendering, you are in fact opening yourself up to the lessons that can be learned and the growth that can happen within you.

The second (and we all need to be reminded of this) is that you are not alone. Especially now. You may feel alone in your thoughts and your feelings, but I promise you, as soon as you begin to reach out and share your experience, you will find that many people around you are experiencing the same thing. Reach out to friends, take a class (join us at any of ours), volunteer (there are many ways to volunteer virtually), attend a seminar on a topic that interests you. Do whatever it takes to remind yourself that you are supported. “Wisdom comes from shared struggle.” Attain the wisdom from within yourself and from your outside world.

We’re in this together. We always have been and we always will be.

I love you!

Rabbi Gabi