As some of you may know, part of my practice is de-cluttering individuals homes and offices. Somehow this summer, that part of my practice was what I was most busy with. It made me think, how can I use this practice of making 3 piles “keep” “give away” and “throw away” in my preparation for the high holidays?
Rosh Hashana marks the start of a new year. As the New Year beckons, I find that I begin to envision what I want my year to look like. What I think I need to pray for, what project I need to start. The past few years I have written about and asked all of us to take the time to sit in gratitude for a few moment before the rush of the new year, to reflect on the gifts that we have received and to breathe in all that we have accomplished.
This year, perhaps because of all the de-cluttering, I find myself wondering what we need to let go of.
There is a beautiful ritual that is traditionally done on the first day of Rosh Hashana known as Tashlish. This is celebrated by going to a body of water with bread, and while reciting certain prayers throwing or casting the bread into the water. Tashlish literally translated is “to cast away”. We stand at the water’s edge and we cast away the negativity we have accumulated over the past year.
This year as we prepare to do Tashlich, I wonder.
What thought process no longer works for us? What in our lives take up room, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually and don’t need to anymore? What belief systems that no longer work, take up permanent residence in our minds? How do we give that away? How do we let go of them completely?
I once heard that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Yet, time and again we find ourselves repeating the same patterns when they no longer work for us.
What is our belief about finances? Careers? Relationships? How do we interact with our family? Our friends? Our partner/Spouse? Who are we attracted to? What addiction have we allowed to fill the place of Spirituality?
As Rosh Hashanah approaches, may we be blessed with the insight to create three piles.
May we “throw away” the actions we do that hurt us.
May we “give up” the belief system that no longer works for us.
And may we be “keep” all that which nourishes us.
Join me as we celebrate this ritual of Tashlich together:
Shana Tova U'metuka (Modern Hebrew, A Sweet and Good Year)
A Git Gebentschte Yar (Yiddish – A Good and Blessed yYear)
K’sima v’chasima tova (Traditional Blessings – May the writing and the sealing be for good.)
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