So this is the new year

Recently I have rekindled my passion for Judaism. And I can honestly say it wouldn't have happened without the enthusiasm and commitment of my roommate Kimberly. She has inspired me to find what it was I loved about Judaism and remind myself of it every day. Without her, my breakthrough in this area of my life would not be possible.

Rosh Hashanah was last week, the Jewish holiday that celebrates the new year. I got into contact with my old Rabbi, Mark Glickman, who officiated my Bat Mitzvah and he was able to get Kimberly and I complementary tickets for the service at Kol Ami in Woodenville. It was a ways to travel, but it was absolutely amazing reimmersing myself in the Jewish community. Also, Rabbi Glickman offered a very familiar feeling of comfort and safeness that I miss from Temple Beth El. I felt very welcomed and look forward to Kol Nidre, the prelude to Yom Kippur, this week.

But more on Rosh Hashanah. On this holiday which is the new year for Jews, we approach it with a mentality and focus of awe rather than festivity and celebration like we do on the American new year. It is a day to look back on your year and reflect on all the good and the bad and just thank God for your life. Because life is a gift that only God can grant, and I think it is so important to be grateful for what you have be given, if only it be one day out of the year.

During the service, I got choked up a few times when reading some of the prayers and listening to the sermon. I have never really experienced this at any other time I have been at services. I think that this is because I have never gone to services to truly experience the purpose of worship, reflection, prayer and meditation. I have always gone because that's what Jews do, they pray. So going to services to actually be Jewish was an experience in and of itself. I have never in my life felt more Jewish and close to God than I did during Rosh Hashanah services.

I'm so excited for this part of my life right now. I have been longing for the return of Judaism in my life and finally I am beginning to surround myself once again by its teachings. So for the new year, I am eager to start fresh. I have created new possibilities for myself and my life that I am committed to living out in my daily life. Those possibilities are being free and powerful in ALL areas of my life. My most recent endeavor is beginning tomorrow morning with a workout regimen. There will surely be updates on my progress in that area of my life.

So, I guess what I wanted to get across was that even if you aren't Jewish, take an opportunity in your life to just be grateful for what you have and all the gifts of living you have. Go outside and look at beautiful Mount Rainer, take in the vastness of Puget Sound, take a walk in the rain. Be present to everything around you and start fresh. Commit to an area of your life and make it exactly what you want it to be. With the new year comes infinite possibility, make of it what you will!