From Fear to Faith: Lessons from My Brother's Wedding
This week in my life was marked by a celebration—my baby brother tied the knot! Just 72 hours ago, I watched him stand nervously under the chuppah, making a lifelong commitment to his wonderful new wife. I cried throughout the ceremony, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions. My little brother, the one I used to wrestle with, has found love, and I couldn't be prouder.
Yet, amidst the joy, a part of me felt the weight of being the only single one left in my family. My siblings now have their partners, their confidants. I spend much of my time alone, and I still recall the loneliness I felt when I fell down the stairs last month and had no one to help me. That fear of solitude can be daunting, but I’ve learned how to navigate it.
Recently, I stumbled upon a book titled The Power of Your Subconscious Mind in a hotel library, and it opened my eyes to a powerful truth: the way we think shapes our reality. The author writes that what we claim mentally and feel as true can manifest in our lives. If we focus on negativity, we often find ourselves trapped in that mindset. I can attest to this from my own experiences.
When I first started my job, I was convinced that I had deceived everyone into thinking I was competent. I feared that it was only a matter of time before they discovered I was just a fraud. My anxiety was crippling—I lost sleep and questioned my worth constantly. Thankfully, I had a supportive boss who believed in my potential and encouraged me to embrace the mantra, “You will do this.” His faith helped me persevere, and I began to understand that the narratives we create about ourselves can dictate our success.
Whenever my thoughts turn dark—whispers like “no one will ever choose to be with you”—I counter them with a vision of hope: “You will fall in love, and together, you will create a beautiful family.”
In Judaism, there’s a profound practice known as Birkas Cohanim, or the Priestly Blessing, delivered by the Cohanim (Priests) during significant moments. The blessing is a reminder of the divine presence that watches over us, encouraging us to seek positivity in our lives. We ask, “May it be Your will that all my dreams regarding myself and my family be good ones.” This ritual reinforces the importance of envisioning positive outcomes and allows us to align our thoughts with our desires.
As we celebrate the joy of love and new beginnings, I hope we all find the strength to transform our negative thoughts into uplifting visions. By doing so, we can pave the way for our dreams to come true.
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead!
