The world is blessed. Our paths are blessed. Blessings surround us at the start of the new year and always — activated and embodied through word and deed, truths and discovery, values and decisions, motivations and manifestations, alignment of who we desire to be and how that comes to pass in reality. Sometimes, these blessings can be impossibly difficult to see or to feel, like right now for me, amid unbearably trying times in the wake of my accident. Yet this Rosh Hashanah, I am really truly trying to trust in the universe and in myself… and will share some of my processing aloud, in hopes that even one concept or idea may be of service to you.
There is no one way to live life, no one place of holiness, no one action which offers salvation, no one moment in which to make amends, though the High Holy Days have always offered me a beautiful time to reflect, review and revise both the intentions behind and consequences of our actions and approach to life. This period in the calendar asks us to be brave enough to speak our truths, whatever they may be, expose darkness and allow for glorious new light to seep in, to flood in, to radiate within and beyond. A key part of owning my thoughts and behavior is proactively choosing the direction I wish to take in the new year — in terms of where I focus my energies, what I aspire to create, whom I wish to surround myself with, that which I seek to become closer to and that from which I need distance, how I see all the facets of my being fitting into a bigger picture, everything.
I am blessed to breathe, think and love, to learn, work and do — and I vow to channel that towards deeper meaning, greater purpose, widespread joy and positive impact, no matter what obstacles may arise. I am realistic about my shortcomings and flaws and often take inventory of my self, yet endeavor to ever improve to be the best I can possibly be in that moment, to have pride in the person I am, to do the most good. With so much we cannot control, we must examine our present circumstances, ready ourselves with the tools and skills to take on the anticipated and unanticipated, and focus on refining our clarity and strength to face the known and unknown as constructively as possible.
We can wish for things to be different, we can desire change, we can hope to shift, but it is not until we honestly pause to recalibrate and sit with our successes and failures, our joys and pains, our virtues and sins, including the inadvertent, that we can genuinely realize and commit to a path of growth and transformation. And our journeys all continue to evolve with time, maturity, life passages, world events — but may it be in a healthy way wherein we allow ourselves to make the most of our strengths, productivity and assets as to enable positive change in both the present and future.
Who do I want to be within myself, to my friends and family, among the community and in our world? How do I set a virtuous, ethical tone and then ensure meaningful commitment to the most effective path to align intention with my lived truths? Rosh Hashanah is a brilliant place to start — because the birthday of the world is upon us and 5780 is beginning.
