All or Nothing?
On Rosh Hashana we are dedicated to change, to renewal. We try to make amends for the past, and start fresh for the next year. But what does change mean? Is it even possible?
In the ideal perspective, change is permanent and irrevocable. I can never go back to the way I once was. I am a changed man.
But, as we know quite well, this type of change, complete internal transformation, is not so easy. Sometimes it does more damage than good: Just knowing how hard it is to change, discourages us from even trying in the first place.
How many of us have not attempted something, because we are afraid of failure? Or given up on our dreams because we will never fulfil them perfectly? Do we look at things as all-or-nothing, and therefore don’t embark on jobs that we may never fully complete? Do we deprive ourselves of the gift of an individual mitzvah that is so dear to us, because we fear becoming ‘completely religious?’ We feel that if we don’t get it all right, we will get nothing right, and it is not worth the effort?
How many of us will not go to the gym because we can’t do it every other day? How many of us do not work on our marriage, because it will never be perfect? How many of us do not mend our relationships with family members, because there are too many demons in the closet? How many of us will not make a spiritual, moral change because it will not be 100 percent perfect?
Rosh Hashanah is here to tell us that G-d embraces every act of change. If I regret one mistake and change that, G-d accepts it fully. Any step forward you manage to take, towards a better more inspired, G-dly life, is infinitely treasured by G-d. It may be one small step by man; but a giant step for G-d.
So friends, this Rosh Hashanah make one change — for a day, a week, a month.
Whatever your struggle or challenge is, tackle it one day and one step at a time, just don’t stay in the same place you were yesterday. Broaden your horizons! Discover more! Learn more! Grow more – as a person and as a Jew.
Count each day – and make each day count!
L’shana Tova!