T The Value of Authenticity
Joseph is now the viceroy in Egypt.
Joseph is the person put in charge of distributing the stored grain
to the starving people in all the surrounding lands.
His brothers come to him asking for food.
He recognizes them.
They do not recognize him.
Then in the climax of the story Joseph clears the room and
"He cried in a loud voice. I am Joseph.”
I am Joseph your brother-it is me, whom you sold into Egypt.
I am still alive.
I am one of you.
I belong with you.
I will look after you, I do not hold a grudge.
I am not angry, I will not take revenge, I do not blame you.
"It was to be a provider that God sent me ahead of you"
You, my dear brothers, were the messengers that God,
"sent ahead of you to ensure your survival in the land and
to sustain you for a momentous delivery."
Joseph, the viceroy, the Egyptian, is now also, Joseph their younger brother.
He discloses his true identity.
Joseph chooses to no longer hide; no longer pretend to be someone he isn't.
Do we know who we really are?
Can we safely reveal who we really are?
Do we continue to hide from ourselves, from others, from the world, from God?
If I expose who I am, will I still be loved by the most important people in my life?
Brene Brown speaks of being vulnerable, and authentic.
She advocates for having the courage to expose ourselves and
thereby know our true selves.
She contends that when we are real, and able to show our humanity,
we become more relatable, more able to be loved and
our relationships become richer, sweeter, and more soulful.
My blessing for us all is that God gives us the courage to be able to live truthfully, authentically, bravely, passionately, fully and lovingly,
with an ability to accept, help and love ourselves and each other so that our relationships are deeper and more meaningful.
Chanukah Sameach, Chodesh Tov and Shabbat Shalom,
Elissa
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