Rosh Hashanah Thoughts: We Are All Incredible

Is anyone else blind-sided by Rosh Hashanah? I’m hoping and thinking the answer is probably yes. At the time of writing, Rosh Hashanah is less than a week away which means some people have the custom of saying Selichos (prayers which are said for forgiveness during fast days or the high holidays). This past year (Jewish year) has felt long yet so short. The pandemic has made the first part of the year seem so foreign yet we mustn’t.

While saying Selichot I thought about something that happened so long ago (or at least felt like a long time ago) and felt in awe. As humans, we sometimes don’t acknowledge how amazing and astonishing we truly are. The way we can push ourselves to do better and be better in incredible. You don’t even have to be a superhero or a celebrity to grow and change your life. Every one of us is evidence of this!

Last year at this time I was in a very rough place where it seemed like I was never going to get better. How does one get better and move on from something traumatic? And why did it seem like time moved slowly? Looking back, I learned that the best thing doesn’t seem like the right thing to do at all. It could seem humiliating or difficult but it all works out.

As I got better and I was in a good place the Corona Virus came and the world shut down. I couldn’t see my friends and for the first few months I rarely went out. It seemed the progress I made with my mental health ran right out the door. I had to do something no one would want to do, confront their demons, the negativity that lives and lurks inside all of us. I cried and had some rough nights but as things turned out great. I made some amazing friends and met/reconnected with some lovely people (you know who you are). I even got into nursing school and have found something I love and feel passionate about.

I shared my story not to brag but to inspire those of you who have gone through rough times, who are experiencing these hard times. It is easy to feel lost and alone but you are never alone. And although it may seem impossible now, things do get better. To those who celebrate have a beautiful, sweet, and meaningful new year.