A New Beginning
Monday at sundown, Rosh Hashana commences. Literally meaning a New Year, the more traditional meaning ascribed to this solemn holiday is a new beginning. Each year, we are given the opportunity to begin again, start anew, with a clean slate, ever so mindful that a chapter of our lives is coming to close and we are to have a fresh start.
As I look over the last year, it can be said, that from sunset of the last Yom Kipper until the middle of June, it was a year marked with much pain, suffering, illness, and also landmarked by the death of my father. Chronic worry and fear were even present. What must also be mentioned, however, was that despite the difficulties of this year, my faith and hope were not ever lost nor shaken, and if anything, became much stronger. As such, it can truly be said that the past three months, beginning with July have been, for the most part, a true blessing with some great gifts, including the ability to appreciate and be grateful for what I have rather than what I think should be given to me.
As this year comes to a close, the inventory of the soul is unraveling, and in the process there is a dis-robing ceremony, where much is uncovered, discovered and discarded.
Since I will be cooking tomorrow, and then observing the holiday, I will be away from the blog from Monday night through Wednesday night. On Thursday, I will go to the cemetery, and make some visits to people as well, being ever mindful of my part in any given situation over this past year, and an eye present on what I can do to be a better, more valuable human being.
If you celebrate, let me wish you a sweet year, one of peace, good health and prosperity.
Otherwise, blessings to all for a good, rich week.
Shana Tova u'metukah.
Thank you for your minds.
As I look over the last year, it can be said, that from sunset of the last Yom Kipper until the middle of June, it was a year marked with much pain, suffering, illness, and also landmarked by the death of my father. Chronic worry and fear were even present. What must also be mentioned, however, was that despite the difficulties of this year, my faith and hope were not ever lost nor shaken, and if anything, became much stronger. As such, it can truly be said that the past three months, beginning with July have been, for the most part, a true blessing with some great gifts, including the ability to appreciate and be grateful for what I have rather than what I think should be given to me.
As this year comes to a close, the inventory of the soul is unraveling, and in the process there is a dis-robing ceremony, where much is uncovered, discovered and discarded.
Since I will be cooking tomorrow, and then observing the holiday, I will be away from the blog from Monday night through Wednesday night. On Thursday, I will go to the cemetery, and make some visits to people as well, being ever mindful of my part in any given situation over this past year, and an eye present on what I can do to be a better, more valuable human being.
If you celebrate, let me wish you a sweet year, one of peace, good health and prosperity.
Otherwise, blessings to all for a good, rich week.
Shana Tova u'metukah.
Thank you for your minds.
posted by BarbaraFromCalifornia at
1:08 PM
23 Comments:
HI Barbara. Sometimes faith is all that we have to sustain us. Without it, we become trapped in the quagmire that is our minds. I offer condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father. As each generation passes, we become the new leaders of the generations that will follow. And in today's society, not an easy task.
I'm sure in time, I will understand a little bit more about your faith because you take the time to explain each Holy Day or event. We can never stop learning.
I hope you have a good time sharing and enjoying this time with your family. It is indeed a blessing if we understand this time as a time for a new beginning and take ownership of things that we have failed in. But also, to enjoy the spirit of our successes.
Enjoy your time away from this world we call Blogland.
Barbara, I just want to personally wish you a sweet, happy, and wondrous New Year. Thank you for YOU, and may you continue to inspire us all.
C'siva V'chasima Tova (May you be written and sealed for the good)
TRW
Barbara, have a wonderful Rosh Hashana!
wishing you the best rosh hashana -- since i've done the reflecting and inventory-ing -- i think i'd like to learn more and start a new year (so i guess this will be my first). thanks for all the insights in your previous (and future) posts.
Oct. 30-Nov. 1 is Samhain ("sow-n") the Pagan New Year. For us, it's a time when the veil between this world and the Otherworld is thinnest. We can speak with loved ones that have journeyed to the Otherworld, however, because the veil is thin, unfriendly spirits can come through. This is where Halloween comes from.
It is also a time of reflection for us. A time to view our lives, gather our thoughts, and map out a plan for the next year while saying goodbye to the year that just passed and all its events.
I'm not sure if one says "Happy Rosh Hashana" or not. If so, then have a happy one. If not, then I hope you are able to clarify the past year.
Warmly,
Nio
Barbara, I hope you have a wonderful holiday and new year.
Enjoy your week. Have a wonderful Rosh Hashana!
a sweet and happy year for you barb
Dearest Barbara,
Wishing you and yours the best and a very wonderful New Year. I too am starting out with a 'new' outlook, frame of mind, and you have helped me more than you would know in attaining this fresh view of the world.
my most sincere condolences for your fathers passing over.
Thank You for Your Mind, you are so uplifting and good for us all who visit you each day.
Enjoy this time, and be renewed in the blessings of life, you are a star in my book and deserve the best.
Much love to you and family,, and of course Astro.
Shana Tova V'Chatima Tova
Scott
L'Shannah Tovah! May your Higher Power carry you through this year on wings of joy.
Happy Rosh Hashana! Praise be to Jesus. (Can I say that?)
"What does not destroy us makes us stronger..." forgot who said that...
Peaceful, happy, Rosh Hashana!
Blessed be.
Thank you all so very much for your kind, heartfelt wishes.
an apple and honey to you and yours!
May the coming year bring you all
the health and happiness for you and your family, and may it bring you all that you wish for, Barbara.
It`s good to see that you are still blogging, we would have missed you.
Will look forward to your next post.
Niobium, good to see a lady who understands the old Celtic festival of Halloween!
A lot of people have lost the original meaning.
Being Scottish, I am of an age where I was brought up to believe that on this night, above all others, the barrier between the two worlds was at it`s thinnest, and souls would visit from the other side.
I haven`t heard anyone mention it in ages! Thank you!
Barbara, wishing you a Happy Roah Hashana.
Peace and best wishes from England.
Dearest Barbara,
Your Sunday and Monday posts were so beautifully written, touching and so well explained, thank you for sharing with me. I wish you a wonderful happy new year and hope you have so many more. You are a blessing to many people and also appreciated by me.
May God Bless you and your family.
Your friend,
Suzie
Thank you so much for your kind thoughts....I will take them with me for the evening & days tomorrow and Wednesday.
Blessings.
Barbara,
Shana tovah! May you only know sweetness in the new year.
Barefoot
It sounds like a good holiday to have. We all need to reflect on our lives and take stock of what we are doing with it. Hopefully we can weed out the bad and plant new hopes and dreams and make good goals for the future. I enjoy reading your blog and want you to know that you have not offended me. Enjoy your holiday.
L'Shana Tova! Wishing you a sweet year!
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