(Sunday
at sundown, October 2, 2016, is the beginning of Rosh Ha'Shanah – the beginning
of the new year of 5777.)
Well,
Here I am. My kids are grown and moving out and on with their lives. (Thank you
Lord!) The home for the last 16 years is being readied to go on the market. We
just don't realize how much "stuff" we accumulate over the years,
PLUS, all the "important things" we've shlepped around with us from
before! This period of my life was at once one of the happiest and saddest,
highest and lowest. Everything accumulated here had a special meaning. This was
Karen's home, I moved in when we married. This was "HOME!"
For
many, going through all those "things" is a drag, for others, a
nightmare, for others still, a trauma of letting go of anything! For me though,
this experience was one of growth, wonder, pleasure and pain. I would say that
the whole episode was cathartic, freeing and even spiritual. Bags and bags of
recycling, shredding, garbage, selling off items and giving away what I didn't,
or never used. It was like taking a huge, deep breath from my soul and
expelling that breath, with all the things that needed to go.
One
of my most awesome finds was a set of journals covering various years from 1982
to the 2000s. Reading through these was like traveling through time. I'm amazed
at how many things and people I'd forgotten. In so many ways, I'm still that
person from 40 years ago, but in other ways, now totally different.
It's
an interesting exercise shedding things that at one time were so important, but
now just extra un-needed baggage, projects, even dreams hopes and
relationships. I've forgotten more people than I remember! I held on to a few
letters and cards where the feelings gushed with thanks and praise from
admirers and also letters which tore me new one! A great balance.
Over
these years, I learned the meaning of real love and learned (still learning) to
be more patient and forgiving (except when I drive), to acknowledge when I
damage a relationship and take responsibility for repair and reconciliation
when possible, to finally let go and divest those things I have no use for, or
that no longer serve me. I know what I do well and now am able to do those
things on a daily basis. I feel more hopeful, thankful, appreciative and
grateful for my myriads of blessings and I am enjoying my life and looking
forward to what awaits in a new place, with new adventures and experiences
teaching and bringing people together to create TOV!
Rosh
Ha' Shanah concludes with a beautiful ceremony called TASHLICH, usually
people come with bread to a stream, pond, river or ocean and toss the bread
into the water to symbolically cast away "sins", the
"baggage", reading the words of the Prophet Ezekiel. This is a time
for renewal of commitment to Life, To TOV, to Loving more and growing more, to
help do TIKKUN OLAM, REPAIR THE WORLD AND REPAIR OURSELVES!
In
the New Year, please consider becoming
a Friend of The TOV Center. It enables Jim and I to Teach, Train and
Mentor People and Groups to join together to create opportunities -- TO PROTECT
LIFE, PRESERVE LIFE, MAKE LIFE MORE FUNCTIONAL AND INCREASE IT'S QUALITY WITH
TRANSPARENCY!!!
To
everyone, L'Shanah TOVAH! A Good, Healthy, Successful and Happy year to come!
Rabbi
Jeffrey Leynor
Very Well Said.
ReplyDeleteAs always!