I am not a “religious” person in the traditional sense. Morespiritual. My January 1stbirthday aside, I tend to ignore a specific dayto celebrate and focus on aperiodof time, usually tied to the change of season.That’s why I find the annual Jewish New Year, RoshHashanah, inspiring whether you practice Judaism or not.The celebration which began at sundown last night marks a period of personalreflection: asking for forgiveness, showing gratitude, focusing on acts of kindness and thinking about how you want to live your life with more purpose.
Growing up I was told that at the start of Rosh Hashanah God took out a Big Book and wrote down the names of people who would die in the following year. He closed the book on Yom Kippur. Slam! It was important to be a good girl and ask for forgiveness.I waspetrified my name would be on the list and tried to be good!
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Over time I tended to write my own ruleswhen it cameto my spiritual beliefs.But maturity and mellowing out havea way of making you more reflective and respectful of traditions and the practices that people of any religionadhere to.Today, myNew Year reflection still centers around myJanuary 1 birthday, but each change of seasongives me reason to re-calibrate. As the leaves change now during the start of this AutumnalNew Year,I think again about turning over a new leaf.
We all have the opportunity to write our next chapter at any time of the year. It’s not about making big strides.It’s about taking simple steps. Tryfocusing on as little as six words for a start and then giveeach your best intention every day.Here are mine in no specific order: funny, compassionate, inspiring, romantic, adventurous, peaceful.
What are yours?
