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Elul 29: Dear God ... (Return)

Dear God,

As I enter the new year 5777, I offer this "wish list."

  1. Give me the willingness to examine my past year. I know I made a lot of mistakes and held onto attitudes and beliefs that didn't serve me or You or anyone else. Looking back isn't easy; I'd rather take the easy way out and pretend that I was A-OK. Yeah - that's not going to work.
  2. Give me the willingness to make a list of the people I hurt so that I can make amends to them. And yes, this year, let me put myself on that list, too.
  3. Sometimes I try to force a round peg into a square hole. This coming year, help me pick the right shape for the right puzzle. 
  4. Instead of living a day or 2 or 365 in the future, may I experience every day as it comes. It's trite but true: yesterday is past, tomorrow is yet to come, today is a gift - and that's why it's called the present.
  5. Remind me to wait, to ask myself, "Why am I talking?"
  6. Remind me to say thank you to my body and my soul every morning and evening. 
  7. When I pray for something, remind me (gently, please) that sometimes no answer is an answer. 
  8. I don't want to be the best person in the world. I just want to be the best Penny I can be. 
  9. Well, I do want to be the best mom and wife I can be. And if that's the best I can get, I'll take it, no questions asked.
  10. Whatever life hands me, I turn it over to You for Your love and care and attention. 
Hashiveinu Adonai Eilecha v'nashuvah ... Turn me back to You, and I shall return.

Graphic: velveteenrabbi.blogs.com
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