Counting the Omer, Growing the Beard...
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...maybe. I'm thinking about it. I'm thinking and feeling about a lot of things, really-- too much to tell you.
But what is the omer? The omer is a period of counting that is a mitzvah or "commandment" in the Jewish Bible. Jews are supposed to count the days from Pesach to Shavuot to mark the journey from Exodus (freedom from bondage) to Mount Sinai (communally experiencing the presence of God in a deep and miraculous way and receiving the Torah). It is traditionally a period of semi-mourning, reflection, and, among other things, not shaving or getting a haircut.
To tell the truth, I have never counted the days between Pesach and Shavuot; in fact, now I would have to think... ah, yes, today is the ninth day of Omer. But something the rabbi said, half in jest, about having "rabbinical permission to grow a beard over the next seven weeks" got me to thinking not only about growing a beard, but also about how I might seize upon an opportunity to have a religious experience. Or at least enhance the spirituality of my life for a while.
I'm at the point where I hate my beard. It itches, and I think it makes me look old, mean, and ugly. I took this photo now in case I can't stand it anymore and I shave it all off. But maybe I'm also taking this photo as a way of reflecting more deeply on having some patience with this process.
It is difficult to sit with that which itches at one and makes one feel old, mean, and ugly. Like my kvetching. I complain. I do it several times a day, often without even thinking. Sometimes my first words in the morning are a form of complaint. This is something I would like to tackle during the next six weeks.
Even if I don't keep the beard.
P.S. I
blogged this.
Comments
i think stubble is sexy! great selfie and
write up!
Posted 3 months ago.
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ummm....i agree w/ Terry...it is sexy.....
it's only when it's get like full that it's
not sexy but ends up bearish.... I like
stubbles not beards :) And did I mention
your stubbles are sexy! :)
Posted 3 months ago.
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Love the new beard Daniel and your eyes in
this picture are incredible! Nice job!
Posted 3 months ago.
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The ego is telling you stories to sabotage
your inner journey. Spirit is not vain. Just
thought I would help you out of those
negative thoughts. It is a stunning
self-portrait (you are handsome with or
without the beard) and you have expressed
some very touching thoughts. Thanks for your
inner light, Daniel.
Posted 3 months ago.
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Angus is telling me about the Omer. Angus
says Happy Counting. Yes Angus does wear
tzitzit everyday all the time. And usually
the kippah is on too. He is now Jewish and I
plan to be Muslim. To balance. He is really
Jewish.
Posted 3 months ago.
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it suits you nicely!
Posted 3 months ago.
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beards itch for about the first 2 weeks
Posted 3 months ago.
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you don't look that mean with your beard
Daniel!
Posted 3 months ago.
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Very interesting Daniel; thanks for posting.
The only thing I can relate to is the
beard... Only a few more days and the
itching will cease; it will become much
softer. About that time you'll start looking
in the mirror and realizing how good it looks
on you. I used to grow one every
year--until it turned white. That was more
than I could appreciate at the time. But for
you: Not old. Not mean. Not ugly.
Posted 3 months ago.
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NOoooOOooo! Don't cover that handsome face
with a beard!
Posted 3 months ago.
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I like this one, Daniel -- not only the
image, but the reflective quality of your
gaze and the beard stubble. It's an
effective pairing of image and introspection.
The itchiness fades, but maybe it will serve
as a spiritual "spur" to your
meditative self-examination.
Posted 3 months ago.
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The scruff is cute.
Posted 3 months ago.
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Stunning portrait Daniel. Great light and a
very natural pose. Very interesting reading
too. The beard doesn't make you look mean,
old or ugly at all.
Posted 3 months ago.
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Thank you, Terry, John, Steve, Janet, Sean,
James, Michael, David, Bill, Richard, Graham,
Jim and Steve. I appreciate the time you each
took to relate to my photo and story! Thanks.
=)
Posted 3 months ago.
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U R really an handsome man! Perfect
portraits!
Posted 3 months ago.
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I think you really suit it! Hahaha, if only
having a beard would stop kvetching, it
hasn't worked on Andy! Andy is Jewish too,
but doesn't go to Synagogue .
Posted 3 months ago.
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Daniel, it is good to go through this
spiritual journey. I think we all find a time
(or two or three) in our life when we focus
on our inner rather than outer selves. We
come to see our shadow (that which is often
unseen by the conscious self) as well as our
light---and we learn to embrace all of it,
even if it itches and is annoying and may be
something we wish we did not have. I most
recently went through that period as I
approached my 50th year, and learned much
about myself. Seen in my contacts' photos. (? )
Posted 3 months ago.
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Thanks, Piero, Zach, and Kathy. =)
Posted 3 months ago.
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Hilarious. I liked the beard. Nice portrait.
VERY funny observation about
flickr........have a good week!
Posted 3 months ago.
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Thanks, Tony, but the beard? Hated it!
(snaps)
Posted 3 months ago.
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Flickr addiction? Hmmm.... That never
happens, does it?Seen on your photo stream. (? )
Posted 3 months ago.
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I like both the picture and the commentary.
And I can relate in a way to your inner
struggles. This might surprise people who
aren't around me a lot, but I am highly prone
to feelings of gloom and pessimism, and I
also have a strong tendency toward dark,
introspective brooding. I inherited that
trait from my mother, and it isn't a good
thing at all. Some recent events have made me
far more aware of how that affects the people
around me, so now I am working a bit harder
on overcoming it. The photography and the
ballroom dancing help a lot in that regard.
I'll keep you posted -- but as for me, I am
most assuredly NOT going to grow a beard! :-)
Posted 3 months ago.
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Thanks, Jeffry. I don't understand it: the
fewer photos I take, the more time I spend on
each photo; the fewer photos I post on
Flickr, the more time I spend looking at and
commenting on other people's photos. I just
can't seem to decrease the net amount of time
I spend on photography and Flickr. Ah, well.
There are worse addictions. But I would still
like to find balance.
Posted 3 months ago.
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I think gawking at photos here isn't an
altogether bad way to spend your time. It
shows a desire to see the world through
someone else's eyes, to understand others,
and also to share your own sense of what is
beautiful or interesting with someone else.
Posted 3 months ago.
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There is a MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;0)
Posted 3 months ago.
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Thanks, Bruce. You know, I couldn't stand it
so I shaved almost all of it off, but I kept
a goatee. Now I'm debating how long to let
the goatee grow. And I know all about nose
hair; it involves clippers, tweezers, and the
occasional tearing out a long hair with my
fingers! Ha ha.
Posted 3 months ago.
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Wonderful emotion to this, consider adding it
to Beard, Goatee & Stubble appreciation
group , we'd love to have this added to the group!
Posted 2 months ago.
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Thanks, Bruce, Sean, and Matt (joined and
added). =)
Posted 2 months ago.
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One handsome shot!
Posted 3 weeks ago.
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meow! you are super hot and sexy with the
beard. you should keep this look and lose
the glasses ;-)
Posted 2 weeks ago.
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