“Shalom” is the one word I cannot speak when faced with stinkbugs.
Sleep in a room infested with kamikaze wing-buzz and reek? Fat chance.
Shalom suggests lions laying down with lambs.
I will NOT lay down anywhere with stinkbugs.
Hence, The Bug Bomb.
And the death toll: 1 bedroom, 23 stinkos plus dozens of flies.
Then, post-carnage, the guilt.
Aren’t we meant to live at peace with creation as well as people?
Shalom
Peace is only one accurate translation for shalom.
The word also means harmony, both spiritual and physical.
Wholeness. Fullness. Prosperity.
Inner completeness, soundness, tranquility.
Welfare: “to be safe in mind, body, or estate.”
An inward sense of rest despite outward circumstances.
Doug Hershey describes shalom as reciprocity, “. . . a type of wholeness that encourages you to give back—to generously repay something in some way.”
Probably excluding bug bombs.
Rabbi David Zaslow writes, “In the Hebraic way of thinking, wholeness is the joining together of opposites.”
Seems like-mindedness is optional.
Shalom also means “hello” and “farewell.”
“When I come from somewhere,” Rabbi Zaslow explains, “I am going somewhere else…“ [which produces a peace with wholeness as its source]. “[A]ll my opposing energies are somehow linked and part of a single whole.”
Which may include one’s personal nemesis.
Or take divergent political views wherein dissenters attempt to wall off the opposition. Who will restrain the roar between left- and right-wingers?
“It takes two wings for an eagle to fly,” Rabbi Zaslow observes. “It takes the integration of two opposing positions for there to be real shalom.”
How do we approach integration?
We might consider the word dialogue, meaning “across reason” or “speech that goes back and forth.”
What if those who disagree with us—even stridently—uniquely offer each of us the potential gift of deeper personal wholeness?
A touch of shalom.
Speech that goes back and forth might mean:
- redefining vocabulary when semantics derails discussion
- refusing to formulate our comeback while the other person is still speaking
- planting an idea, then making peace with our role in whatever sprouts
Can we listen deeply first, then challenge one another with civility?
What we speak embodies the power of life or death (Prov. 18:21).
Shalom To-Dos
My friend Mark, an artist, writer, and self-described “grumpy Jewish Christian,” tells me some rabbis teach that the Messiah will come when a certain unknown (yet fixed) number of good deeds are completed, each deed containing an element of shalom.
Could we add our small efforts to that growing number? Not to earn merit, or points, but rather enhance someone else’s tranquility, wholeness, safety, and rest.
Empowered by grace, good deeds are honest. Practical. Sustainable.
Years ago Bill and I recorded a song in unison. Blending our voices required deep listening to one another, surrendering our assumptions, and making ongoing, minute adjustments.
Can you discern each voice? Click here to hear “Shalom,” beautifully arranged and produced by our brilliant friend Chris Lobdell.
How might you live a life of shalom this week? I’d love more ideas . . .
p.s. I created a Playlist from song titles you suggested. Click “Reader’s Playlist” in menu bar.
Thank you again for sharing!
Laurie, thank you for the playlist. I am moved and was stirred to worship as I listened to St. Patrick’s Breastplate, and watched your exaltation of Christ enveloping us. Love, Niki
Niki, you’re welcome. I’m glad the ancient Irish prayer was contagious! And so many wonderful songs await us. Some of these were new to me and looking for versions I liked on youtube immersed me in marvel. May shalom rise up in you and brim over and pour outward this week, my friend.
Thank you your words bring comfort
Anne, you are so welcome. One of the reasons I keep writing this blog is to keep my spirits up, hoping it offers encouragement to others as well. Shalom over your roof and under your feet and within your spirit.
your post titles always intrigue me and surprise me. this one literally sings. Thank you…our small group was talking a lot about being ‘integrated’ last night–in soul and spirit. Love the way you see the world my friend.
Love it.
Jody, I would have enjoyed hearing that discussion between you and your group mates. Seems finding balance and then finding our way forward is more important than ever these days. I’m grateful for the myriad ways we all see things and how expanding it is to hear from one another. Keeps me curious and encouraged. 🙂
ps Glad the titles are working!
A touch of Shalom. That was what you gave to me, today. Yours and Bill’s song is exquisite. Thank you for sharing.
Ah, Linda Jo, thanks for listening. May it stay with you and flow through you.
1) I knew SHALOM meant more than hello and good-bye, but your explanation here adds much richness to the expression. Thank you for that first. 2)Your suggestion to “enhance someone else’s tranquility, wholeness, safety, and rest” is spot on. Perhaps we can snuff out some of the negativity in the air! For sure we’ll go to bed at night with SHALOM in our hearts for having made positive contributions into the lives of others. 3) No, I cannot distinguish your voice from Bill’s in that recording. Wow–talk about in sync! And a beautiful, restful song contributing to my SHALOM this evening. Thank you, Laurie!
Nancy, shalom is such a rich, complex word, layered with meaning and possibility. The quote talking about reciprocity really widened my understanding as well as my desire to find ways to stay positive amid the cultural racket in (hopefully) contagious ways.
Thanks for your kind words about the song. At the time we recorded it, our producer compared us to a pair of alto flutes. Not sure we could achieve the same blend nearly 40 years later. It was great fun at the time. And I’m delighted it added to your personal shalom!
that’s interesting . . . I wish . . . . the pulling together of opposite parts. I like that. I wish it worked in real life in this culture of divisiveness. My grandson is in his first year of HighSchool says while what is being presented as an appeal to diversity, there is no way under heaven, he would dare to disagree with point of view to those teaching.
Sadly my couple of forays into trying to speak with the opposite has been met with box making (with me in it and not way to get out) as well as attitude of wait…how can you be like that. So I have mostly been quiet, processing on my own.
Not necessarily a way I’d like it to be, but it has such a negative effect on me, it is better to keep my opposite from someone else’s opposite for now at least.
Great thoughts
Thanks, Mike. Shalom blessings on you, and through you!
Carol, I salute your attempts! You offered openness and honesty, always a gift. I’m sad you were met with disrespect. You’re wise to set boundaries as needed. To process and pray. Seems now, more than ever, we must discern our role in prayer as well as conversations. May we find our way forward, whatever form that takes.