Dear ones,  

I hope and trust that you are well. 

Life, as it is, continues to be interesting.  

I was driving down Coney Island Avenue a while back and was thinking to myself, “This is quite possibly one of the uglier city streets in Brooklyn” when I saw a sign (both literal and spiritual) right above the car wash that normally has in bright neon lights the words “Lube and Wash” (if that isn’t funny or telling enough) but instead of those offerings, the Lu and Wa lights went out and the sign boldly pronounced 

“Be and Sh.” 

Now, what better message from the universe is there than “Be and Sh?” 

I know, Lube and Wash is just as relevant a message and I’ll take that one to heart as well, but it was in the failing of the two bulbs that the real message came through that I needed to see. 

Be and Sh… Just being can be enough. 

I don’t like to be “shshsed” as a general rule, and for any of you who are teachers or parents, you know that “shshing” is ineffectual at best and downright annoying when working with kids. 

But the “sh” sound has the universe inside it. 

Ocean waves  

Leaves in the wind 

Blood through our veins 

The soothing of a crying infant 

This time of year there is a lot of wind. I hear the ssshhhh through the trees that surround our house. For those of you who have studied voice, voice work, breathwork, etc. you know that “Shhhh” is often an integral part of the exhale. Try it, it’s a really effective way of slowing down the exhale. 

During the Jewish high holidays this time of year, we chant the “shema” meaning hear” or “listen” and this one utterance is a pivotal aspect of every service in which the act of listening connects all as we go inward for deep reflection and contemplation in the new year and how we want to be in the world moving forward. 

I’m not a religious person at all and on a rare occasion, I will offer music for services. When I am in the presence of the Shema I feel in my bones, the depth of listening through this simple mantra. 

Once again, for me, it’s all about the Be and the Sh. 

However you are spending this time of year, I offer the idea of the broken neon sign to give you pause, make you chuckle a little, and find the light inside the darkness of every broken bulb. 

Love and gratitude for you,  

Katie.