We’re in the middle the Jewish
holidays, last week was Rosh Hashanah (beginning of the Jewish New Year) and
this coming week is Yom Kippur. Traditionally most people who observe the
holiday take time off from work to pray and reflect on their actions, to ask
forgiveness for slights don to others (intentionally or unintentionally) and to
forgive those who might have slighted us.
I’ve been lucky (workwise) in recent
months and have dealt with multiple deadlines; so my first reaction after
sundown the second day of Rosh Hashanah as I hurried back to my desk (yes I
work from home) was thinking that I LOST two days I could have worked! And then
I caught myself… I hadn’t lost anything, I reflected on who I was and who I was
trying to be. The self-reflection helped me to learn WHY I did the work I do,
it helped me to understand what my priorities are.
In addition to the peacefulness I
feel after making earnest attempts to forgive others that I had been angered or
hurt by, I also have gained valuable time in my life that isn’t wasted by tears
and resentment. My reflection has forced me to face my own failings and has
given me the encouragement to be better, kinder, and more productive. The time
I spent in prayer and thought also made realize all the people in my life and
all the things I have that I am so very grateful for.
I can’t promise to always think
before I act or speak, and I can’t be sure I will always react kinder and
fairer when something or someone “rubs me wrong”, but I know it is important to
try. If one ten-day period (the Days of Awe) were enough to guarantee
improvement, we wouldn’t need this yearly ritual. The ten day period between Rosh
Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time for self-reflection, repentance and renewal.
The process of our atonement concludes with Yom Kippur which this year begins
this Tuesday at sundown and goes through Wednesday at sundown.
There is irony in our New Year’s
observance; Rosh Hashanah actually begins on the first day of the seventh
month. There are three other New Year observances on the Jewish calendar but
Rosh Hashanah is the most major and yet all that makes it most unique is the
blowing of the shofar and preceding Yom Kippur so closely. The shofar, a ram’s
horn, allows each listener to interpret the message they hear, a patterned series
of blasts that seems to reach into our hearts and minds. This is a period of
renewal, we figuratively wipe the slate clean.
I gave myself some extra time before
resuming my work and when I did start again I felt less pressure and in a
happier mood. And even though I was much closer to deadlines… I didn’t miss a
single one.
It’s important to take a few steps
back now and then, to take a look at ourselves, re-organize our priorities, be
more accepting of others, and be thankful for what we have. It definitely makes
for a nicer life.
No comments:
Post a Comment