This Friday evening, August 21, is the last regular Kabbalat Shabbat service I'll be leading before the New Year, since Rosh Hashanah begins the evening of Sep. 18, which would be my 'normal' time to lead in the rotation of service leading at Nahalat Shalom. This time of year is for reflection, doing the inner work of self examination and then the outer work of asking for forgiveness and making peace. We'll spend some time this Friday evening sharing our hopes and blessings for the year to come.
I have a few suggestions:
1. Be easy on yourself. It's extraordinarily hard to do almost anything in these uncertain times. Our usual 'work' of Elul tends to focus on self-improvement, which is awfully close to self-criticism. This year, let me suggest that our Elul work focus on self-care. Congratulate yourself on your creativity and resourcefulness as you navigate new situations almost every day. Give yourself a pat on the back, or a cup of tea, or a nap. Read something that you find soothing or joyful. This year, allow self reflection to be the kind of mirror that reflects your most positive qualities.
2. Reach out to others with messages of connection. Calls for 'no reason' are often the most welcome. They are reminders of all the ways we support each others' lives. Old friends, people you hardly know, congregation members, folks you see on social media but haven't spoken with directly for a while....they all count and the contact will be appreciated.
3. Plan your High Holiday experiences in advance. Look at the packet of information and make a date with yourself to attend. Electronic connections count!
4. Forgive yourself. Tempers are short, demands are unpredictable, most people are juggling self, family, friends, community, country. Many people are worried..economic, political and social upheavals are everywhere, bringing both fear and opportunity. Forgive yourself...none of us is perfect, all of us are trying our best, under extraordinary pressures. Take a deep breath. You deserve the inner strength you have within you.
May we all be blessed with open hearts and searching spirits. May our families and friends be blessed with protection, health, safety and wisdom. May our communities be blessed with harmony, mutual support, shared insights, commitment to positive change, and most of all, with peace.