It’s the last day of Elul. As I wrote on the first day, when the period of self-assessment begins, we are now 30 days into the 40 day period of determining how we can make our lives- and the lives of others- better. (You can also search for Elul in the index to the left and see more of my thoughts on this “resolution-making” period.)
(The last ten days of this self-assessment are called the Days of Awe or the Ten Days of Repentance. I have a problem with the latter, since the process of personal repentance started on the 1st day of Elul. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipur are the beginning and ending of the Days of Awe.)
Self-assessment is not something that has to wait for Elul; we can (and should) continually assess our actions and our thoughts, steering our ways to where we really want to be.
But, tonight starts Rosh Hashana- the New Year. The end of Elul- leaving me- and you- only 10 days left to complete our self-assessments, determining what changes we should effect, how we can help others, and insure we leave this world just a little better off because we walked upon it’s surface.
These are a slew of questions we must answer, but these are some good starting points…
What do we really want to see happen for us next year? Not just one thing- but two, three, or four. (Please. Winning the lottery can’t possibly count as a valid choice!) Making this list of what we want to happen means we also need to list two or three small steps we will make- NOW, not tomorrow. In doing so, we make it possible for these goals we set to be not a dream, but our reality before the next Elul rolls around.
What are we really afraid may occur for us in the next year? I’m guessing you- like me- can think of a whole bunch of them. But, we need to focus. So, let’s limit this assessment to two or three items, because we want to devote our time to their preclusion.
A big task always gets completed when we make numerous little steps. That’s exactly why we effect this exercise- to find those little steps to ensure we make progress.
My list includes financial changes, helping my smaller clients become the bigger ventures of which they dream, and to finish at least one of the three books I have started and are on different USB data sticks. The trick is to accomplish these without sacrificing the time I devote to my family and friends.
Don’t you think you should put your list to paper (or perhaps to computer, as I do) now?
A big task always gets completed make numerous little step. Great content. The trick is to accomplish these without sacrificing the time I devote to my family and friends.Thanks for sharing insightful information on the rights.
—http://onedaytop.com/president-trump-denounces-uns-bureaucracy-mismanagement/
Linda PetersS recently posted..Hello world!
Linda:
You are absolutely correct. We need to break our big goals into little steps- and post those steps and goals so we don’t lose sight of them. I am absolutely in agreement that our goals and actions have to keep our families in top focus, too!
Yes, I think that’s a good idea. What do I want to see happen for me next year? Write a novel during National Novel Writing Month, paint another series of “bear pictures” with stories, make a decision on emigration and follow through
What am I most afraid of this coming year? that the violence in the United States spread and that kindness will continue to disappear.
I am afraid that the situation is spiraling out of control and that catastrophe is looming.
I am nostalgic for the old days, when I was just afraid that the toilet wouldn’t flush.
*sigh*
I love your plans for the next year, Alice. I suggest you post them where you work most often, so you don’t lose sight of the big picture.
And, I agree with your fears for the US. The only way we can prevent that is to keep doing what we are doing, to work with others, to educate as many as we can to change folks’ attitudes.