So once again it’s Rosh Hashanah and another year has passed. Jews worldwide have made it through the reading of the Torah and are getting ready to roll it all back and start over again. A whole year.
5777 kind of sucked, not going to lie. It was kind of an extension of a sucky 5776 actually. But we’re all (mostly) still here and I’m not going to let 5778 suck, too. Nope.
Each year around this time, because of course the Jewish calendar is not as conventionally predictable as the Jan-Dec one that pops up on my phone to remind me of where I’m supposed to be, I look back and reflect. I say a couple more “sorry”s than I had hoped to say, accept that things have not always gone as I had hoped, talk to my mom (I know she’s dead and that’s kind of weird), and try to let go of the shit that is still weighing me down. Sometimes I’m successful at that. Other times, not so much. OK, most of the time not at all – I’m kind of a hoarder of resentment and hurt feelings.
Truth be told, growing up, the high holidays were my least favorite time of the year. A) forced to sit for SOOOOO long in temple, B) fasting UGH, C) challah with nasty-ass raisins, and D) it’s so somber. Now, I’ve come to appreciate one of those – no, I’m not fasting. No. Way.
So, if I’m not exactly observant – in that I haven’t been to temple in more Fridays than I can count – why do I do this year after year? Because there’s something about taking responsibility for your thoughts and actions – even if just with yourself – and starting over. Like I say to the boys ALL THE TIME, “own your shit.” Accept it for what it is, learn from it, let it go, move on with your life. Honestly that is the best any of us can hope for.
So as I usher in 5778, I will again try my hardest to be kind, forgive, breathe deeply, take time for me, create, laugh, love, sparkle, and make the world a little better. Go out. Make 5778 the best and for the love of G-d, be good humans.
“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.” — Neil Gaiman
Sparkling Llama 