Reflecting on the Past Year, Looking Forward to a New One

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Jewish New Year AppleTonight at sundown Jews around the world (myself included) will observe Kol Nidre, the start of the holiest day of the year… Yom Kippur. During the following 24+ hours we ask for forgiveness and atone  for our sins and transgressions of the previous year. And in the new year, Yamim Nora’im, 5774 we once again can start fresh.

I like this concept of getting a new start, a do-over, so to speak. It is particularly meaningful for me this year. Tomorrow I will reflect on the past year, the things I did and the things I didn’t do, the people I may have inadvertently hurt and things that I am not proud of. I will ask forgiveness, I will atone, and then I will set an intention to do better this year. This New Year brings with it the hope for a fresh start, new beginnings and limitless possibilities. I am going to embrace this new year with hope – for myself, for my family, for my friends, and for the world. I am choosing to be optimistic that this New Year will be a sweet one! Shana Tova!