4 Lessons from Passover for Freelancers

With spring comes the Jewish Festival of Passover, celebrated this week with song, story, and the Seder meal at which the story of the Exodus is told four different ways.

Jews treat the celebration of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt not as a history lesson, but as a memory. Every year, it is as if we too were freed from slavery to freedom.

What makes this Passover different from all other Passovers?

Every year there are lessons to be learned from this symbolic journey, and this year I find new lessons that apply to me…and perhaps to you…as a freelancer.

1.????Change happens very slowly, then all at once. According to the Biblical book of Exodus, the Israelites were enslaved for 400 years. ?But when Moses came to negotiate their release, they were freed in short order. It only took some strong-arming by God for Pharaoh to become ?desperate for them to leave. Finally, he ?commanded them to go…

All of them.

Right now.

Today. ?

Isn’t this often the way change happens in business and the arts, too? There is study, preparation, weeks, months, or years of practice, rehearsing, and refining...and then one day to the rest of the world, you’re an overnight success.

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2.????The tools you have at hand will be enough. According to the Biblical narrative, the Israelites left in such a hurry, they did not have time to let their bread rise, but had to bake it unleavened. Which is why unleavened bread is eaten the whole week of Passover, and regular bread, pasta, and pizza are not. (There is nothing like that first slice when the holiday is over!)

We often feel that we won’t rise to our full potential without the “yeast” of experience, or confidence, or book-learning. ? The reality is that we are enough right now. Our unique training, skills and life experience are perfect for journey ahead that we have chosen.

3.????Keep expanding your horizons. The Hebrew word for Egypt, Mitzrayim, means “a narrow place.” The life experience and the world view of the slaves in Egypt was narrow; constricted by centuries of back-breaking work, with no hope of change, progress, or release. ?

When they escaped Mitzrayim, crossing the Sea of Reeds in the most dramatic birth metaphor ever, the whole world was suddenly—sometimes frighteningly-open to them. ?

For me, as a new-ish content writer, a new ?world is open to me as well-- exploding with endless possibilities for learning, connection, and contribution. ?It’s challenging and often uncomfortable to step out of my old role and take on new challenges…but that is where growth comes. ?

4.????Find time to rest and recharge. The first and last days of Passover are especially sacred days; days on which Jews are not supposed to work.

Holidays, the Sabbath, vacations…all are invitations to slow down, stop, and take a breath.

Time to connect with family and friends we love.

Time to eat fabulous food.

Time to appreciate the beauty of nature.

This weekend, take time to enjoy Passover. Or Easter, Or just the glory of spring.

And let the journeys continue on Monday!