Leading With Emotional Courage

CHAPTER 44BUILD YOUR RISK MUSCLE: THE SMALL PERSONAL RISKS THAT CHANGE BEHAVIOR

One of the things I love about my synagogue is its commitment to inclusiveness. The community welcomes people of all faiths and integrates practices from other traditions.

One year, on Yom Kippur, the Day of Repentance, the most solemn day in the Jewish calendar, after several hours of prayer, I felt an impulse to do something that is never done in a traditional synagogue. I wanted to take my shoes and socks off. In the Eastern spiritual traditions that inform my yoga and meditation practice, bare feet is seen as respectful and helpful to centered, grounded meditation and prayer. But the idea of doing it in a synagogue scared me.

I rationalized my reticence with a number of reasonable excuses: The gentleman sitting to my right was impeccably and formally dressed – handkerchief in his breast pocket and all – what would he think? I didn't want to disrupt his experience and I didn't want to feel his judgment. Also, I was in the front row, visible to many congregants, and I am a member of the board. What would others think? What would the Rabbi think? What would it look like for a board member to be barefoot in synagogue? Better not risk it, I thought.

Then I saw Jonathan.

He had been given the honor of opening the Ark to remove the Torah, Judaism's holiest book. This is arguably the most visible moment in the service. Everyone is paying attention. And, as Jonathan walked to the stage, I couldn't help ...