Who I Am

As the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana) approaches, I'm thinking about my style and self-image in a new way.  In our tradition, the morning prayers/blessings remind us to be thankful for so many things.  Although written during the 14^th century, these daily affirmations are still relevant today.  Thank you for the blessing of providing land for us to live on (by separating the land from the water), thank you for providing for all my needs (food, shelter, love), for healing the sick (including me), and helping the blind to see.  And yes, some of these blessings relate to fashion:  Thank you, Sovereign Creator, for clothing the naked.  Thank you for making me as You wanted me.

The last one speaks to me in a very personal way.  I am short, just a tad over 5 feet tall. I have the curliest frizziest hair, which, instead of turning a beautiful silver, is a mix of blackish brown and misbehaving white wires.  My figure seems out of proportion for many clothes, I have lots of allergies, and lately, I have really thin, brittle bones.  But guess what?  Every morning, as I say the blessing, “She-asani kir’tzono” I am reminded that this is how I was created.  Whether you want to attribute that to the outcome of a random helping of genetic soup, or to a Divine Power, this is who I am.  Now, what will I do with this 5 feet, this beating heart, this mind, this alto singing voice, these two little hands?  For one thing, in the coming year, I will resolve to be more thankful for the good things in my life, and to stop wishing to be what or who I am not. I will put my best foot, and best outfit, forward (and I hope you will, too)!

Bottom – brown bootcut ankle twill pants

Goes with – leopard print ¾ sleeve tee

Shoes – black studded flats

Jewelry – bold gold hoop earrings

Final layer – denim jacket

Bag – luggage color London Fog (favorite) purse

A Shana Tova, Happy New Year, to all. *

*in the Jewish tradition, the eve of September 29, 2019 begins the year 5780.