Just Show Up

I went to temple the other day (I like temple, its peaceful there, especially with little kids running around or even with little kids crying). Anyway, the first Saturday of every month there is a Abhisheka for Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge, (she also is given credit for language and music, so obviously she is one of my favorites). I like to go to the ceremonies for her, because I love her. but I don't really understand what is going on, or what is being said, the chants and prayers are all in sanskrit. As I was sitting the other day with a hand ful of other devotees I had a moment when I wondered what I was doing. What good it was doing me or Saraswati for me to be there but not understand what was going on. I didn't come up with any answer better than "to show willing". That sometimes you have to give, even when you don't understand the gift you are giving or why the receiver wants/needs it. Sometimes its enough just to show up.

I was reminded of this again while reading the Jay Z biography for class. There is a section about obama and the inauguration. Anytime anyone talks about that campaign I get a little choked up. It was just so hopeful and felt so true and genuine, it felt like the way politics are supposed to be. Anyway, there is a photo in the book of the inauguration crowd stretching back for miles, packed in tight. It made me cry (of course) but it also reminded me of my time at temple. There is no way those people could see Obama, they were essentially watching it on television sets, outside, in the cold. But it was important that they be there, they weren't there for themselves, necessarily (although I'm sure there is something to be said for being able to say you were there), but to bear witness. To show willing, to show that it was important, that he was important, that they all believed in the cause enough to show up. Because sometimes thats the important part, just showing up.