On Sunday evening, Jews will begin to celebrate the festival of Sukkot during which we live, eat and even sleep in a temporary outdoor dwelling called a sukkah. The sukkah’s flimsy walls and a roof made from branches and leaves reminds us of the huts the Jewish people lived in during their forty-year journey through the desert. For many years, Canary Wharf Group has generously built a sukkah on the estate which is located near the offices of Clifford Chance for the benefit of Jewish professionals.
The contrast between the security of our warm, cosy homes and the exposure we feel while sitting in a fragile sukkah is a metaphor for what it is to be human. While we try to put on a brave face and appear strong, deep down many of us have deep insecurities, self-doubt and emotional challenges. The sukkah represents the real us as fragile and vulnerable.
American researcher and author Brené Brown links the idea of courage with the ability to be true to ourselves, even if that means exposing our vulnerabilities. By finding the courage to accept our imperfections, be honest about our emotional struggles and acknowledge our true selves, we can foster genuine relationships with others, both in our personal and professional lives.
Although our homes give us a sense of security and wellbeing, we all face challenges that can make us feel vulnerable and can affect our mental health. At the risk of being perceived as weak, we try to present a sense of ‘business-as-usual’ when in truth, inside we may be feeling hurt, emotional and profoundly insecure. Finding the courage to be ourselves means allowing ourselves to open up and be honest about our struggles. The Canary Wharf Multifaith Chaplaincy is on hand to help start that conversation. We offer a safe place to chat, and help you find the courage to help tackle the difficulties and challenges that life sometimes throws at us.
