happy new year
some reflections to consider in the Jewish New Year (or really any time of year... no matter how you identify)
Tonight at sundown, the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah, aka the Jewish new year, begins. It’s one of our major holidays, maybe equivalent of Easter, with Yom Kippur aka the Day of Atonement, being kind of like Christmas, only you probably don’t get the day off and there are no presents or anything fun except eating an amazing meal after a day of fasting.
During the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Jews are supposed to reflect on the year before and make any amends. (This is like steps 8 and 9 of AA, except we do it every single year.)
Whatever you celebrate (or don’t), this is a beautiful time of year for reflection.
In many parts of the world, the leaves are turning, the mornings and evenings are getting crisp, and we can feel the earth under our feet preparing for a transition.
As I consider where I’ve made mistakes in my relationships this year, I’m not just thinking about my friends and family but also with myself. Because what I’m realizing more and more is that the kinder I am to myself, the more capacity I have to be kinder and gentler with everyone else, too.
And while I admit I love being right… I also love feeling ease and flow in my relationships. In fact, I’m starting to think I’d rather feel ease than self-righteousness.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying I’m never going to fight with Dan about how to load the dishwasher again. (The correct way is like a cracked out donkey or whatever way is fastest. Efficiency is for LOSERS!!!)
But I am moving in a new direction.
A few questions to reflect on
So I invite you, too, to reflect, over a slow walk, in your journal, or over coffee with a good friend or partner (even the kind of partner who loads the dishwasher wrong), on any of the questions below that resonate with you:
In what ways have you been too hard on yourself?
Where did you push when you should have backed off?
When did you work when your mind, body, or spirit was asking for rest?
When did you suppress your inner knowing in favor of not disappointing someone else, keeping the peace, or hiding your true self?
When did your failure to resource yourself lead to a meltdown, argument, or freak-out?
xo,
PS If you like these prompts, I think you’ll love my group coaching program.
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I still adore you but you should know that I have another newsletter
My good friend and comedy buddy/ Listen To Your Mother Show co-producer/ fellow ADHD mom, writer, and former healthcare professional Stephanie Sprenger and I recently launched Word to Your Mother.
Word To Your Mother a newsletter dedicated to sharing opportunities for and elevating the voices of midlife women in the creative arts, including writing, storytelling, comedy, and more.
As a subscriber, you’ll get…
Curated opportunities to create, publish, and perform your writing, including essays, stories, and comedy, both virtually and in person
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Creative inspiration in every issue
Lovely, Pam