Tyler’s Torah Thoughts for 20 Nisan, 5785

Today is the fifth day of the Omer.  The Theme today is “The Humility of Love.”  And, I have been reflecting this past week on a concept of “emotional reciprocity.”  This is the idea that the emotional energy that we give to others is returned to us in a balanced and harmonious way.

Yet a lot of people I talk to, and do this work with? We find ourselves struggling because we tend to give more than we receive.

There is almost a transactional idea behind this right?  “If I take care of you, will you take care of me?”

And? What I am discovering? This imbalance of emotional reciprocation? Is likely a reflection of our subconscious.

Because, the theme from those I have been speaking to about this? It starts within.

We are not giving OURSELVES emotional reciprocity.  Meaning? I give OTHERS more compassion, kindness, tenderness, space than I am willing to give MYSELF. So if my energy is all about sacrifice – giving more for others emotionally than I am willing to give myself? No WONDER what I am seeing reflected back to me?  Is the mirror of this. People receiving more from me than they are willing to give.  Because this is a perfect mirror for being someone who is willing to GIVE more than I receive.

I am just sitting with this today. What about you?

From Last year:

Today’s theme is Chod of Chesed or “Humility of Love.”

From Chabad:

“You can often get locked in love and be unable to forgive your beloved or to bend or compromise your position. Hod introduces the aspect of humility in love; the ability to rise above yourself and forgive or give in to the one you love just for the sake of love even if you’re convinced that you’re right. Arrogant love is not love.

Does love humble me? Am I arrogant notwithstanding – or sometimes, because I have the capacity to love? Do I realize that the ability to love comes from a greater, higher place; from G d? And knowing that shouldn’t I enter into any love with total humility, recognizing the great privilege of being able to love. Do I realize that through love I receive more than I give? Do I appreciate the one I love for this?

Exercise for the day: Swallow your pride and reconcile with a loved one you have quarreled with.”

As I reflect on this, I turn inward. How do we have humility for loving ourselves? Am I humble in my love for myself? Or am I cocky or haughty? Do I have the capacity to love myself with humility? Do I recognize the great privilege of being able to love who I am, and who Hashem created me to be?

If you have been quarreling with yourself? In conflict with yourself? Maybe it’s time to reconcile? On this sixth day of Passover, May we continue our journey of being liberated from our Egypt by focusing on releasing the past woundedness inside of us and moving forward with love – covered in Humility.

What are your thoughts?