As Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year nears, you may want to reflect on your life and your year. How do you spend your days? Do you live the life you desire? Are you happy, fulfilled, and content? Do you experience inner peace?
Are your days filled with greatness? Are you in touch with your true purpose? Do you know what you want? Do you spend your time doing the things you love? Are you being true to yourself? Are you being the person you want to be? Kabbalist Rav Berg says that consciousness is key. Kabbalists say every action matters.

I believe in what our spiritual teachers tell us that our thoughts reflect and create our reality. Where is your mind from moment to moment? Are you dwelling on what is not right? Are you judging others and yourself? Are you crying over spilt milk? Are you focusing on what is not? This creates darkness when what we really want is light.

If you had to stop for a moment and reflect on the happiest times of your life - What would those be? If you chose say three different instances, or times where you felt truly happy, perhaps the happiest times of your life, what were they? Please STOP reading for a minute and think about these happiest times or days of your life and write them down. Write down at least three different examples. Please do this exercise now before continuing.

What was there? What in each instance made this time a happy one for you? What value or principle was there or what need was met? Again please stop, reflect on this and answer for each of your happiest days of your life what the integral principle, value or need existed.

Is this principle, value or need a dominant part of your life today? I believe that an important part of being happy and fulfilled is to do the things you love as often as possible. This energizes us, motivates us, empowers and inspires us. So for example if meaningful relationships are important, then do you have this as part of your day? Like a conversation with someone special. If music uplifts you then do you listen daily, perhaps taking the time to listen to fifteen minutes of music, can make the world of a difference.

What else is important to you? Do you love fresh flowers in your home? Do you like going to the sea or the beach? Perhaps you enjoy long drives alone, walks in nature, or being in a forest? What do you love? Make a list of the things that you love to do, that which inspires and energizes you.

Rabbai Israel Ben Eliezer otherwise known as Baal Shem Tov considered care of the body as necessary as care of the soul. Here is a list of the things my clients have come up with that include body, mind and soul activities: Playing or participating in a particular sport or game or exercise (tennis, skiing, diving, bicycling, running, walking, swimming, golfing, bridge, poker, yoga, pilates….), listening to music, reading a good book, stimulation or challenges at work, creativity and innovation in your workplace, having a Latte at your favorite coffee shop, a conversation with a special friend, anything with adventure(skydiving, mountain climbing…), a massage, learning through others (listening to a lecture on your iPod or going to a lecture or “shiur”), baking, preparing a healthy meal, meditation (various different kinds from silent to movement like yoga), watching a good or inspiring movie, going to your favorite restaurant, going dancing, playing a game with your child, teaching your child something, helping others (supporting a colleague at work, helping a friend in need, volunteering at your child’s school, or the towns committee, or being part of a charitable cause either actively or passively ), having good sex, enjoying a glass of wine or a piece of cake, relaxation time for yourself, a picnic in nature, napping on the weekend, loving animals, and more. What uplifts you? What makes you tick? What healthy habits or routines do you have going for you in your day? What would you like to introduce into your schedule or improve on and increase the particular activity or event?

As the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, approaches my wish is very much the same, for love and peace in my family and in our world. Of course I add a few extras like security and health which in fact falls under peace for me. What I have come to know is that each and every one of us influences world peace. You don’t need to be a politician it’s much simpler. Consciously live filled with love and peace and you will influence another. Eckhart Tolle has written a book called “A New Earth” where he elaborates on his beliefs of what is needed for world transformation to occur and for peace and love to be. I have realized that we are all players in this universe. It is our responsibility through our own personal growth and development to continue to reach a higher self of consciousness. If we can love our neighbor and he can love us back then there is a chance for world peace.

I would like to conclude with two essential teachings of Rabbai Israel Ben Eliezer. We have explored loving your life by doing things that bring you joy. Rabbai Israel Ben Eliezer said that life is joyous, and we can live it joyously in every situation, under all and any circumstances. He also said let our actions be meaningful, our every deed, every word we speak, every thought we think as all this has an effect that reverberates throughout all the worlds and through the whole of history. On this Rosh Hashanah, think about how you would like to make a difference. Start with one step and by making a commitment whether it is to yourself, your family, or your community. These small steps make a difference to your world which is also our united world.

Samantha Amit, 25/9/2008
  

Back to top