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Jumping Into 5773
When the Jewish New Year of 5773 begins at sunset on Sunday, it initiates a period known as the Days of Awe. When I was growing up, I skimmed the surface of these holidays, just happy to get a few days off from school and parade around in my pretty fall clothes. Now, it’s more of a spiritual exploration, a chance for renewal. What do I want to do differently this year? On my 5773 to-do list: Assume the best of people (especially while driving). Worry less. Celebrate more. Date.
Falling in Trees by Elijah Gowin
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Sounds like a plan to me Wendy! I do the same thing around Christmas and January 1st; I take stock of the year that is ending and then set some managable goals for the coming year. I think the most introspective one I had was January 1, 1999. Deployed in Bosnia, I thought really long and hard about what I appreciated in life.
Jalina, did taking stock in 1999 have tangible impact on your life going forward?
I do this three times a year–Jan. 1 (much more important to me than the partying of the night before), the spring equinox (where I pick a single word), and around my birthday (Tuesday!). As Jalina noted, MANAGEABLE goals are important, a lesson I wish I’d learned when I was younger.
First off, HAPPY BIRTHDAY on Tuesday, Petra. I really appreciate your presence on this site.
I admire your spiritual fortitude in setting these goals three times a year. I’m not sure I’ve chosen manageable goals (giving drivers the benefit of the doubt), but it’s something to reach for.
It did Wendy. I only had a little over a year before my father passed away; I got to chat with him about Bosnia and Croatia before he died. I was the only kid to actually set foot in what was once Yugoslavia where our dad was from and he was quite proud. I was a peacekeeper there, a role I am still very proud of myself. I’m learned not to take for granted what I have in life especially after being around people who had seen the hardship of war, to include my father who saw World War II up close. Since 1999 I have had to reevaluate my life several times (I’m in that process right now) and I’m doing my best to live life to its fullest (hence the lovely trip out west).