We're sprinting towards the end of the year. With that, stress and high expectations can lead to anxiety and hurt feelings.
Meanwhile, we just finished the Jewish High Holidays. A few weeks ago was Rosh Hashanah – The Jewish New Year, and this past Wednesday was Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement. The practice around these holidays is a good reminder to take account of where you are and appreciate the blessings around you. It was a reminder to me to sprint towards the end of 2019 with the energy of a new year.
Yom Kippur is a lot like a Catholic confession, but it happens once a year. The service is a mix of contemplation, mindfulness, and contrition. Ultimately, we apologize for the sins we've committed against ourselves, our communities, our friends, and our faith. Also important is the promise to do better next year. On top of repenting, we fast (no food or water) for a full day to make sure we're mindful. In my case, it also made me sleepy (yes, my son caught me sleeping in synagogue ... I'm sorry for that too).
Looks like I still have some work to do.
It's interesting how little human nature has changed in the past several thousand years. The list of sins is just as relevant today as I imagine it was back then. Even if you have managed to stay on the right side of the Ten Commandments, and haven’t killed or stolen … you have most likely been frivolous, stubborn, hurtful, dismissive, or judgmental (I know I have …).
To help drive the importance of the day, we ceremoniously read a poem called the Unetaneh Tokef. Below is a brief excerpt because it's a powerful read, regardless of faith.
On Rosh Hashanah will be inscribed and on Yom Kippur will be sealed how many will pass from the earth and how many will be created; who will live and who will die; who will die at his predestined time and who before his time; who by water and who by fire, who by sword, who by beast, who by famine, who by thirst, who by storm, who by plague, who by strangulation, and who by stoning. Who will rest and who will wander, who will live in harmony and who will be harried, who will enjoy tranquillity and who will suffer, who will be impoverished and who will be enriched, who will be degraded and who will be exalted.
Equally important to recognizing and repenting for your sins, is recognizing and appreciating what you did good as well ... for yourself, your friends and family, or your community.
All-in-all, it's a nice framework that highlights how you have grown; and, it also shows where you have room to grow.
You have one quarter left in 2019 to make it your best year yet. What can you do? What can you do better?
I hope you all experience growth in your mental state, your relationships, and your businesses.
