New Year and Resolutions

Most of us associate a new year with a chance for a new beginning. We have the opportunity to take stock, and decide what we can do differently to change our lives or make them more meaningful. As Jews, this exercise usually occurs in late September, or early October, when we celebrate Rosh Hashana and enter into the Days of Awe and Yom Kipper.

For me, making resolutions can be a daily process, as I look at my own behavior and take stock of what needs to be done, or undone. To me, this kind of inventory taking is a daily process, where I look at myself, rather than the other person, and try to make changes in my behavior. There is no peace until I accept others for who they are, whether I like what they do or say. Ultimately, I have a choice whether to associate with these particular individuals, but to try and change them, rather then me, is futile.

Today, I resolve to be more patient. Being impatient is probably one of my worse flaws of character, and it is difficult for me to wait and allow life to unfold as it is supposed to in God's time rather than my own time. Specifically, I have learned this with my daughter being ill, wanting a quick recovery to occur in my time on my terms. This is not how life works, and often by being impatient, I fail to appreciate the small steps and progress as it is before me at this very instant. Too much time is spent looking at the future, how I think something should be rather than appreciate it as it is in the moment.

There are more resolutions I have such as bitting my tongue more instead of speaking what is on my mind so quickly and being a good worker at my new job, which resumes January 3rd.

Here is the question of the day: What are some of your resolutions for the moment and the year to come?

Thank you for your minds.