That’s the message of the Jewish New Year. On this day, and for 10 days after, culminating with Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement, it’s customary to look back at what was done over the past year in order to make course corrections for the coming year.
This ancient wisdom recognizes that relieving oneself from guilt and correcting mistakes (especially those involving relationships), opens one up to receive the bounty and blessings one wishes.
Meaningful progress towards a worthy cause can’t be made while negative emotions exist. They act as restraints and anchors preventing positive forward motion.
Where are the restraints in your past?
Have you forgiven others?
What’s your self-talk or mindset?
Have you learned from previous mistakes?
Have you forgiven yourself?
“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein
Whether you celebrate the Jewish, Christian, Chinese or other New Year, using something as a marker from which to look back over the previous year is helpful.
The “10 days of repentance”, that starts this evening is not a brief look back. It’s a ritualized process, after which, the slate is clean, ready to start anew.
It’s a system to improve oneself.
Review to renew and renew to progress.
Believe or not, the psychology is sound. The cleansing effect is liberating. Plus, it’s less expensive than therapy.
I hope you can use such a process and review the last year so it may be used as a springboard towards a better year ahead.
May your upcoming year be filled with only good news, big smiles, tears of joy, and pleasant dreams.
L’Shana Tova,
Laurie and Michael
Reward the Struggle, Enjoy the Journey
Let PPS Be Your GPS