“When we realize that the process of transformation is situated at the center of our lives, then all the circumstances that we live with are revisioned as pathways for our growth.” ~ Alan Morinis, With Heart in Mind
Today is Rosh Chodesh Elul, the first day of a month of introspection before the Jewish New Year begins on Rosh Hashanah. It is meant to be a month of prayer, self-examination, and soul-searching so that we will be ready for our High Holy Days.
It has been two years so far on our journey of restoring our home and our sense of groundedness. So much of this path has contributed to my sense of what is important right now and what I allow to fall away from my daily dashboard. I have learned how to take better care of my emotional health, as well as to delegate, prioritize, and keep things in perspective. I can also see where I have room to improve.
I certainly am far from my ideal self. I have indulged in negative thoughts, insecurities, and worry, have not always gone out of my way to help when I could have, have not tended to important friendships and relationships, and have tunneled into my own inner world much of the time.
I have the best of intentions and am on a path of learning, growth, and integrity in order to become who I wish to be. I hope that as we wrap up our final months of building and moving, I will feel a shift or a lightening of the load I’ve felt on my shoulders these last 2 years. I hope to open up to new possibilities for learning, studying, relationships, health, hobbies, and so much more.
All beginnings have significance. On the first day of the year, Rosh Hashanah, “we plant the seeds of our inner life for the coming year.” (Planting & Building in Education: Raising a Jewish Child, Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe, p.16) Ten days later, on Yom Kippur, our Day of Atonement and the holiest day in the Jewish year, we search for ways to perfect our character and make commitments to move closer to our potential.
May we all do some soul-searching, regardless of religion, and recognize that it is we who must change in order for the wider world around us to change for the better.
Amen Na!! Amen!! Wishing you a sweet year as you welcome yourselves home. Love to all! Lori