Good morning,
I know, I know, I said I was only sending these Musings on weekdays, but I reserve to right to make an exception once in a while. This is a special edition of the Musings because I couldn’t let the Jewish New Year go without comment.
All holidays should cause us to pause, take stock and reenergize ourselves. The fundamental idea behind Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is just that—reviewing the past year, atoning for mistakes, and committing to improvement.
Not to detract from the secular new year, but this time of year—around the Autumn Equinox—seems like a “natural” for new beginnings—more so than in the middle of Winter. The change of the seasons bring not only turns of the calendar pages but physical manifestations of change all around us.
Autumn is the time when we are at the tail-end of the sweet peaches and plums of Summer and the beginning of succulent pears and bright apples.
Autumn is the time when kids return to school and new beginnings.
Autumn is when we have returned to the balance of night and day of equal length.
Autumn is when we return from our travels to family or to distant places refreshed and recharged.
Autumn is when the air is neither hot and humid, nor yet cold and rainy. There is a slight nip in the air and a fog in the morning. It is the time for the crunch of leaves and changing of colors.
Autumn is the end of the more carefree days of Summer and, perhaps, a reminder that there is more work to be done—not just in our daily lives but in self-improvement and doing our part to help improve the world.
The High Holy Days offer a construct within which to take a breath at a special time of year and contemplate not only what we’re doing but how we are being. How have we behaved with family and friends? How have we behaved in business and in the community? How have we improved and how can we improve further? It is a time of new beginnings, new resolutions and change.
TWO THOUGHTS FOR THE NEW YEAR
I’ll close with two thoughts on new beginnings from two people whom I suspect aren’t quoted in the same breath very often!...
“The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide you’re not going to stay where you are.” –J.P. Morgan
“What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t happened yet.” –Anne Frank
To everyone, regardless of religious belief, may you have a sweet new year of health, happiness and peace. And may your best days lie ahead.
Shana tova,
Glenn
Having just spent 3 decades in beautiful Virginia, fall in the air comingles with NCAA and NFL football, and school openings. Nice having changes of seasons after spending time in CA. Nothing says fall like a 1 pm kickoff on both Saturdays and Sundays.