Thought Leaders Series: 2018
The artist popularly known as Madonna released a hit single in 1983, entitled Holiday. Like all magical stories, Holiday had been turned down by singers Phyllis Hyman and Mary Wilson, formerly of The Supremes. In similar vein with the vision of the Olympics and FIFA World Cup, this song calls for a global Holiday.
Written by Curtis Hudson and Lisa Stevens of Pure Energy, the track was presented to Madonna by her producer John “Jellybean” Benitez, during their search for a potential hit track to include in her debut album.
Interestingly the word Holiday actually emerged from the concept of a Holy Day. In Judaism it is a sabbath, a day of abstinence, worship, and rest from all form of toil and exertion.
In Judaism we also have the sabbath week, and the sabbath year (also known as The Year of Jubilee). It was meant to be observed on the seventh year of the seven-year agricultural cycle for the Land of Israel.
As well as leaving the land to replenish, by the end of the year all debts (sadly, like usury and other concepts around social justice, the debts of foreigners was not included) were cancelled, and slaves are set free. In fact, Jeremiah will blame the Exile on the lack of observance of The Jubilee.
To this end scholars argue that the main reason why it was never observed was because of the greed of the ruling elites. They did not want debts cancelled, slaves set free, or a year long holiday for workers.
Once every four years, the FIFA World Cup affords us the opportunity to just relax and enjoy twenty two men chase a leather ball for 90mins.
When was the last time you just relaxed and played? This could take the shape of watching a movie, listening to music, hanging out with friends.
As well as work, play is an important part of being human. Some of the most innovative ideas were conceived through play. In the words of Madonna:
Let love shine
And we will find
A way to come together
Can make things better
We need a holiday
To a great week!
Healingsprings fellowship: Human Capital Development
http://www.healingsprings.org.uk
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