Today is the Jewish holiday of Purim. It is a holiday for turning your world upside down --by dressing up in costume, putting on a funny play called a Purim "shpiel," and, more radically drinking so much you can't tell the difference between Haman, the villain of the Purim story, and Mordechai, the story's hero.
Like Carnivale, and other holidays that take place this time of year, this is an opportunity to let loose, and try on new identities, new practices, and new mindsets.
It is a one day holiday --nicely bound and in that way, rather safe. Whatever you try on, you only have to do it for a day. And there really is no follow up step.
I think this is something we should build into our lives more -- at least once a year, if not once per quarter. It is a very different practice from making a resolution, for example. It is easy and fun and disruptive. It is a game rather than an obligation. And it is a useful way of climbing out of your box during this period of turbulence.
It would be nice if this practice was adopted in public life as well. Imagine what might be learned, or gained, if Republicans and Democrats engaged in this kind of experimentation once per quarter?
What would you try on if you were going to turn your world upside down for a day?
Monday, March 1, 2010
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