Shrugging Off Invisibility

With all the Black Women empowerment blogs out there disecting all the parts that need dissecting in order for BW to have, to gain, to succeed; one wrong that was discussed that needs correcting is the invisibility we/some of us have.  That is a  scary thing to tackle if you don't have confidence. Invisibility can be a comfort for those who want to stop at mediocrity.

For those who want to push forward and be all that they can be in this life  time, who want to excel in many ways, I would like to encourage you to take an objective view of this invisibility and then act accordingly.

There is a teaching that if you seek wisdom, you face the southern winds, if you want wealth, its the northern winds, spirituality -eastward, and westward (conflicting views on that one).

However, if you want it all--- be invisible!


This is not the same invisibility that the bloggers were talking about.  If I understood correctly, what they are talking about is ineffectiveness, non-leadership, not given the time of day nor the security that other groups of people have, etc.

The invisibility I mean is humility.  Confidence.   Knowing you abilities, your strong points and your weak points and navigating with that in mind to achieve a goal. Of course, if the goal is simply wealth, then by all means charge northwards.  If the goal is simply wisdom, go south, etc.

And what does it mean to go "north" for wealth? "South" for wisdom? Remember, this is all in the spiritual realm. Any way, wealth and anger are basically two sides of the same coin. Thus sighing, praying for, pursuing wealth can easily bring anger! The trick is catching the blessing, the "coin" on the right side up (like heads or tails game?)  When anger is prompting you it usually means an answered prayer for wealth is coming your way, don't take the anger! Don't succumb to anger!! Instead, keep your cool and think of the potential wealth that could be had.

"From the north comes forth gold" (Job 37:22)

And as for wisdom, it is represented by the south. When the Holy Temple built by Solomon stood, the menora was placed in the south --a thing of lights (like the Chanukah menora). Lights is wisdom --abundantly shining upon an individual.  To acquire much light/wisdom one needs the proper "oil" for their candles as explained in a previous post.  (See: lighting your seven candles)

I guess what I'm trying to say is: before you throw something out, look it over. round and round. This side and that side. When you are sure there is no use for it, trash it.  If there is any benefit -that the side effects are not harmful- use it. Then before yo throw something out, look it over....

The "invisibility" that bloggers spoke of should be discarded (once a person is ready), but there is another aspect to invisibility that can be used.

I'll let a "maggid" (story teller explain it better):

"As a scholar you must know what it says in the Talmud (Berachot): "Whoever wishes to be wise should face south (in prayer); whoever wishes to be wealthy should face north.1 For the Menorah was positioned in the south and the Showbread Table stood in the north. If a person makes himself as if he is nothing, then he becomes a spiritual entity….
"So let me ask you: What if someone wishes to be both wise and wealthy? There is a vast distance between north and south!"

The man didn't know what to answer. He waited silently.

The Maggid continued, "If a person makes himself as if he is nothing, then he becomes a spiritual entity. As that which is spiritual requires no space and is not restricted by space, he can then be both here and there."