In the Jewish tradition, the Hebrew month of Elul offers time for contemplation and reflection about the year now ending and the one about to open. Rosh Hashanah is followed by 10 days in which to set our priorities for the New Year about to begin, as we ask to be written into the Book of Life for a year of blessing. The paradoxical nature of our existence is that none of us know what the coming year holds. The High Holy Day prayer book offers this for our consideration
“. . how many will pass from the earth and how many will be created; who will live and who will die; who will die at his predestined time and who before his time; who by water and who by fire, who by sword, who by beast, who by famine, who by thirst, who by upheaval, who by plague, who by strangling, and who by stoning. Who will rest and who will wander, who will live in harmony and who will be harried, who will enjoy tranquility and who will suffer, who will be impoverished and who will be enriched, who will be degraded and who will be exalted. .”
As 2014 approaches, we can ask ourselves what valued lessons have come from the experiences of the passing year? How do we wish to stretch and push boundaries in the New Year about to commence that will allow us to evolve into the conscious, compassionate and creative beings that we are? We have the time to consider . .