Happy Rosh Hashana

credit: justmakeit

Happy Rosh Hashana. Are you celebrating? I’m enjoying reading the Facebook statuses of my various OTD friends, from hearty wishes for a healthy and a happy to vehement declarations that this day is no different than any other.

I always like any opportunity for reflection on the past and planning for the future and I do love (personalized) ritual. Every night, as I snuggle down into my nest of pillows, I answer three questions:

1. What am I appreciative of that happened that day?
2. What am I most proud of that I did that day?
3. What do I hope for tomorrow?

Although this year we aren’t celebrating Rosh Hashana, I’ll still grab the opportunity to reflect and plan. So here’s my answers to those same three questions as they apply to the year that passed and the year ahead. I’d love to see your answers as well:

What am I appreciative of that happened this past year?

So many many many things, but if I had to pick my top three, I’d say: I made some very precious friends in the OTD community that I really appreciate, I’m deeply grateful to my body, baby and the universe for my pregnancy, and I’m so thankful for the million and one ways my husband has supported me and my dreams this year.

What am I most proud of that I did this year?

It’s hard to pick. What makes something most worthy of pride? In my heart of hearts, I’d have to say that deep down, the thing that was the most difficult for me that I am most proud of wrestling with, is some of my career choices. I had a pretty rough patch with my decisions about what to do, and I’m proud of myself for believing in myself, and keep on returning to the things that mattered most to me, even as I lost faith, again and again.

What do I hope for this coming year?

An empowering and easy birth, a healthy and happy baby, a joyful transition to parenthood, good fortune in my work and my husband’s work, more connections and friendships with people in the OTD community, power and strength to the voices that advocate for change in the religious community, and more good news and peace and happiness in the world at large :-)!