Shalom friends, the other day I was thinking about if I have actually been counting the Omer correctly. Every night, I say the Bracha and recite the day that we are in but I don't really feel connected to the words. That is sort of my current state of mind in the moment - doing many things but not feeling so connected.

So my question for the month of Iyyar is how can I cultivate connection: with our work, with our faith, with our friends and family etc. This month is about really listening and building a relationship with ourselves and with G!d.

Counting the Omer is a self reflection tool - how is my loving kindness? how are my boundaries? how can I improve my endurance? It's our time to work on ourselves before we take on the responsibility of receiving the Torah.

So my plan is to take a minute after I count to reflect on how I relate to the particular attributes of the day. Two years ago, I wrote poetry inspired by the Omer and last year, I painted every day. This year, I will sit in silence for at least 2 minutes to connect to how I am relating to the day. What can you do to connect?

Similarly with any experience - if we just do it and than move to the next one the amount of knowledge and insight we are able to absorb is far less than if we take time to reflect and process what we have just experienced.

Catnip | Nepeta Cataria

Got a teething baby? Catnip is your go to herb. Back in the day parents used to hang a small bag of the herb around colicky infants’ necks so help sooth them. Now it is more common to give it to them in a tea. It has a long history of use as a tranquilizer, sedative, digestive aid, menstruation promoter, and treatment for cramps and flatulence. When adding this fragrant herb to your tea blend, think about your current teething pains and what you can do to manage it. As we count the Omer, we can meditate on our sometimes painful relationship with G!d and ways we have been able to work it out with G!d.

How do you work on your relationship with G!d?

Chamomile | Martricaria Chamomilla

Chamomile is used externally to treat wounds and inflammation and is used internally for fever, digestive upsets, anxiety and insomnia. There are several oils in the plant that have a relaxing effect on the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract, making her an antispasmodic. Of course, when we are working on our relationship with G!d, we can get nervous and for many that means an upset tummy. We know that when we stand before Hashem, we cannot hide. Every single part of us is exposed and that can make us feel uneasy Not only can chamomile help sooth our belly aches, but she can also help reduce anxiety.

What are other ways that you have been able to find peace and calm in moments of extreme vulnerability?

Mint | Mentha Piperita

Peppermint is used externally for itching and inflammations and internally as a digestive aid and treatment for menstrual cramps, motion sickness, morning sickness, colds, cough, flu, congestion, headache, heartburn, fever and insomnia. In the Talmud we read, “As a remedy for heart pain, let him bring three egg-bulks of mint, and an egg-bulk of cumin, and an egg-bulk of sesame seeds, and let him eat them together.” I don’t know about you but one of the many reasons I pray to G!d is to help heal my broken heart - whether it be loss, confusion, angst etc. During the Omer, we go through 7 of the attributes through which G!d is revealed: Loving Kindness, Might, Beauty, Victory, Praise, Foundation and Kingship. As we spend one week in each of these attributes, we have a chance to think about how we relate to each one and how we manifest them in our own lives. I am reminded of the complexity of G!d, relationships and even myself and my heart.

How do you find peace between your many selves?