San Diego, CA
New Year's Wisdom from My Fig Tree – San Diego Jewish World
By Shayna Kaufmann
SAN DIEGO –We have a magnificent fig tree in my backyard. Every August, without fail, it produces hundreds of lush figs. I love to pick them, eat them, and share them with my fig-loving friends. And, a few weeks, the explosion of fruit is mostly gone. The dark green leaves gradually turn yellow and brown, and eventually fall to the ground. I love that too. The collection of multicolored leaves looks like a carpet underneath the tree.
Right now, this same tree is barren. The leaves have disintegrated and its many branches are plain gray sticks. It will stay this way for much of winter. At first glance, the tree looks dead. But it is very much alive. It is resting to gather strength and prepare for the seasons to come.
So, what is the New Year’s wisdom from my fig tree? Its seasonal variations remind me that change happens gradually; that nature takes patience and time to produce its fruits – its goals. The tree is not making a resolution to produce a certain number of figs. It cannot. It is unable to control how much water it receives, unforeseen weather patterns, or the quantity and sweetness of the figs it will eventually yield. These factors could result in a failed resolution. Yet, it has a clear intention – to grow buds, and leaves, and eventually fruit. It patiently allows the process to unfold, honoring unpredictability, while maintaining its intention.
Like the fig tree, most of our life changes happen gradually, not between December 31 and January 1. Setting intentions allows the process to more organically unfold, being sensitive to setbacks. It is softer and more natural than a resolution which can often breed guilt and shame, when not manifested.
My process of setting intentions begins when I first take inventory of the past year, a tradition my family started 15 years ago. We start by thinking about the blur of the year, seldom recalling anything but the big events. But after a few minutes, and sometimes with the help of each other, we remember – oh yeah! I went to Barcelona solo, I presented at a conference I had been pining at for years, I received my meditation teacher certification, and I finished the first draft of my book. Yay me!
When I bring these milestones to the forefront, it helps me to close out the year with an appreciation of my strengths and ability to persevere. Then, I am in a place of power when I consider my intentions, as opposed to a mindset of where I fall short, which is often the starting point of declaring resolutions.
As you approach the end of 2023, take a few minutes to review your year and congratulate yourself for your accomplishments. Look at your calendar if need be or ask family and friends for input. Small gains are big, too! Then, allow your mind and heart to consider your intentions, rather than resolutions, for the new year. And, if nothing clear arises, remain patient and curious, like the fig tree.
Wishing you all a beautiful end to 2023 and a graceful, gradual entry into a New Year!
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Shayna Kaufmann, a clinical psychologist, is the founder of Embrace the Middle.
The Killer Tomatoes are loose in San Diego, and they’re ready to get sauced.
Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is taking over Good Night John Boy (401 G Street) in the Gaslamp on Saturday, July 25 from 7pm-11pm for the official Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic Intelligence after party, celebrating the wild new chapter in the cult classic franchise that first got its start in San Diego back in 1978.
Fans can party alongside cast and crew with meet and greets, “killer” cosplay, exclusive giveaways, DJs, and dancing. There will also be specialty themed cocktails and bites available for purchase, because fighting off killer produce apparently works up an appetite.
Tickets will be available here, though they’re not yet available. We’ll update once we know more.
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Jannik Sinner is starting to make a habit of responding to adversity in Paris with Wimbledon titles.
The top-ranked Sinner beat Alexander Zverev 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-4 Sunday for his second consecutive title at the All England Club after his German opponent appeared bothered by a knee issue following a slip to the grass on a key point in the third set.
Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam title came in his first tournament since a second-round meltdown at the French Open, when he wilted in a Paris heat wave.
A year ago, Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in the final at the All England Club after wasting three match points against his rival in the Roland Garros final.
It was Sinner’s 10th straight victory over Zverev, who was coming off his first Grand Slam title at the French Open.
Linda Noskova beat Karolina Muchova in an all-Czech women’s final on Saturday for her first Grand Slam title.
Prince William joined his wife Kate and two of their children for the final in a star-studded Royal Box that also included actors Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller.
Zverev slips
The top two seeds appeared perfectly matched until Zverev earned his first break point of the match at 3-3 in the third set — 2 hours and 42 minutes in. Sinner produced a drop shot and Zverev slipped and appeared to hyper-extend his right knee as he attempted to change directions behind the baseline.
Zverev grasped his knee in apparent discomfort and Sinner went around the net and helped his opponent up off the grass. Zverev quickly resumed playing but he appeared slightly hampered and slung his racket across the baseline in frustration when he missed a forehand and handed Sinner the first break of the match and a 5-3 lead in the third. Sinner then served it out.
Zverev had also lost 14 straight sets to Sinner and when he claimed the opening set of the final with a forehand winner up the line to conclude a tight tiebreaker, he let out a loud roar toward his box as he bent over in celebration.
Zverev continually cranked out serves at up to 139 mph (224 kph), while Sinner produced a series of well-placed aces at a slightly lower speed.
But Sinner began to read Zverev’s serve better in the second-set tiebreaker and Zverev started to miss forehands.
Paris meltdown
Amid stifling heat and humidity in Paris in late May, Sinner had his 30-match winning streak ended after coming within one game of a straight-set victory over Juan Manuel Cerundolo, who was ranked No. 56.
Conditions were cooler in southwest London for the final, with clear skies and a temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 Celsius) but it was also breezy — which led to a series of shanked shots from both players.
Sinner went in for medical exams in Milan after the Paris defeat and didn’t play an official match again until he arrived at Wimbledon, where he twice had to come back from a set down in a five-set marathon against Miomir Kecmanovic in the first round.
Sinner then didn’t drop a set the rest of the way until the final, having dominated against Novak Djokovic in the semifinals.
Despite the defeat in the final, Zverev will leapfrog Alcaraz into the No. 2 spot in the rankings on Monday.
Alcaraz missed both the French Open and Wimbledon this year due to a right wrist injury.
Associated Press writer Mattias Karén contributed.
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