We all go through changes as we age, get more educated, meet new people, and try new things. What matters is remembering where you came from and who you were before.
I am involved in many organizations—probably too many—including Scouting and religious organizations. I grew up Scouting and still chair the Ten Mile River Scout Museum in Narrowsburg, NY (visit us!).
At 25, I worked with teens to build a ceremonial campfire for an induction ceremony to initiate new Scouts. A gentleman who was never a Scout—but got involved when his kids did—decided he was gonna teach the teens how to build the fire and set up the council ring.
Big mistake. He meant well, but he was less experienced than the teens. Because he was older, he thought he would show us the ropes. He had no idea how to cut the wood, lay the fire ring, or run the ceremony scripts. I had to jump in and show everyone how. I may have been annoyed, but we got it done, and the kids had a great time. More importantly, many are now leading the next group.
Let’s jump to religion. Some people grow up that way, some leave, and some practice just the basics. Times change, and we decide to learn more. I can run services and have run sederim for Pesach. It is fun. Did I grow up that way? No. I took more upon myself.
But some people never did any of this. Then the bug bit them, they learned more, and decided to keep going. That’s great. But these folks don’t need to criticize those who didn’t follow this path or tell people at services what they are doing wrong. In most cases, nothing is wrong, and the “newbie” doesn’t grasp how many customs there are.
They often like to talk about how good they are now. I know a few die-hard Mets fans who said they gave up their TVs. It is killing them that they can’t watch sports. (For the record, there’s nothing to watch when it comes to the Mets. Watch the Yankees.) Anyway, they talk about how they used to see Broadway shows, concerts at the Garden, and Marvel movies, and now say it is wrong. They criticize others for doing so.
Their current lives are lifestyle changes and major transitions. But it doesn’t mean the old life was wrong. It is not like you were a druggie or an alcoholic and are now drug-free and sober. Enjoy your new life and remember where you came from.
