It’s February, a time in many cultures and lineages around the world and over the course of time that honor the potential of the spring season to come.
In my own lineage of Eastern European Jews (and Jews around the world), we recently celebrated Tu B’Shvat, a day known as the birthday of trees. I only learned within the last year or so that it is a day to remind us that the potential of spring has yet to be seen in the darkness of wintertime. While this time of year can seem dark, it also remind us that what has yet to be seen is already here and we can trust this cycle that birth and the lightness of spring and renewal are already on their way. It’s also a day to remind us of the awe and to be in reverence of nature. (Trees are big thing in my lineage).
There’s something very interesting to learn about the ways of our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents and so on as we uncover their names and identities through research. We can feel so immersed in it. I have found I'm reconnecting to something that is so old and ancient as I have started to learn more and pick up practices and rituals from my foremothers and fathers. Some of these things I remember doing as a child and some I never knew at all. And, strangely, it can feel like I am a part of two worlds- of those before us and the traditions that exist to this day AND the culture and life I live in now.
Have you ever felt that way?
So, how can we identify with both? How can we learn from both? How can we integrate both?
This week, as the daughter of Korean immigrants, our storyteller, Sora, shares with us her story of what “family” means to her. Because of a traumatic childhood event, there was a deep need to explore what this meant for her. In her storytelling and our conversation, she shares with us what it is like to weave between the culture she grew up in at home and the culture she grew up in at large, as well as how she is learning what “healing” actually means for her when doing the deep work to connect again to her lineage (it’s not necessarily what you may be thinking).
Most of all, she shares with us how she has found a meeting place to honor both her lineage/ancestors/parents’ stories and culture and her own present ones.
This week, I invite you to listen or watch Sora’s story below.
Click below to watch or listen to Sora’s story.
(Length: 15:58)
If you want to share your {Y}our Story on the series, SIGN UP HERE or CONTACT ME with any questions.
Many of you might be thinking “I have no stories, or even interesting stories of my family” or “How can I even begin to learn more about my family’s history?”
I’ve got you covered, check out this free guide called {Y}our Connecting Conversations.