Deeds are Seeds

The the actions of our life are seeds that we plant and will grow - sometimes into weeds and sometimes into beautiful flowering plants. We hope that the weeds are few and that there growth can be stopped before they multiply. We hope that our flowering plants are numerous and can be nurtured so that they can spread their seeds and create more beauty. Although often we do not get to see the weeds and the flowering plants, many times we do.

Last night, I had the opportunity to hear too stories reflecting the growth of seeds of my deeds that I did not even remember, and I will share those stories not out of pride (although that exists), but as an acknowledgment and reminder.

The parent of a young man that we know provided a quick update on the medical school interview process that his son was going through. The parent wanted me to know that his son had told him that he always started the interview process with a firm handshake and a direct look in the eyes of the interviewer, and that this was a new found skill (at age 21) that I had showed him last year. For years, I have made it a habit to teach young people how to shake hands - with a firm, but not too firm, grip rather than the loose, dead fish, lifeless hand that is too often offered, a strong, but not too strong, movement (that should not include the entire upper body) and with direct eye contact being made. I started this teaching when I coached little league teams by explaining that I couldn't guaranty them wins or hits or wonderful plays, but I could assure them of handshakes at the end of each game. So, if this young man who learned a proper handshake last year now has added confidence when he meets people, perhaps some of the others have benefitted too. The deed as a seed.

At a service last night that focused on the creation of a welcoming community, a member told me of her search for a new temple when she moved to town with her family. They had been to many temples and synagogues in the surrounding area, and she was prepared to give up her search of out temple did not offer what she was looking for in a temple home. That Friday evening, her husband was out of town and so she came alone. She told of entering into the temple, and being greeted and welcomed warmly by me. It created a connection and an understanding of our community and so, after services, she went home, called her husband and said "we have found our temple". For years, I have made it a habit of greeting people at the temple as I believe that is part of the creation of a community. We all want to be welcomed. We all want to feel that we are part of a community. We all want to feel that we are cared for. We all want to know that we are recognized. So, if this woman and her family became part of our temple community because of an acknowledgment and welcoming, a recognition and conveyance of warmth, perhaps some of the others who I have recognized - from the toll taker to the waitperson to the gas pump attendant and so on have felt those feelings. The deed as a seed.

And so, as we move through life, let us plant the seeds that will growing into the flowering and multiplying plants.