Included on this list is "go to more Jewish events + reading, doing" and that was a biggie. So for this secular year, I have now;
- started this blog
- got a P in T and study with her every week
- learning to read Hebrew
- volunteering for kosher Meals on Wheels
- attend evening services when I can
- attended high holiday services
- had my first Shabbos sleepover (in my birthday Hello Kitty pj's)
- ate supper in a sukkah - super fun, wasn't keen on the spring rolls
- learned to make challah (still working on that braid)
- tried socializing with a group of Jewish singles, but had to ditch them due to my low tolerance for stupid - but I gave it the old 'college try'
- keeping a kosher home
- toiveled some dishes
Not too shabby, I must say. There is more to add, but these are the biggies. As I ponder a list for 2016, I can't help to look back to see what I have accomplished this year and feel proud of myself. So I gained weight and lost another friend; I just had to replace her with a few new friends and bought some new clothes. Problem solved!
Websters defines the word resolution as "the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict." This makes me think that most people are using the word incorrectly to find an excuse to join a gym; unless you consider a 'conflict' being your hips fighting with your jeans for space, then so be it. When asked what our resolutions are for the year, we always give the usual answer; lose weight, stop smoking, read more, etc. But what exactly are we resolving and why wait until January 1st of each year to decide that smoking is bad for you? SMOKING IS BAD FOR YOU ANY TIME OF THE YEAR! - just as a side bar, I used to smoke so I am allowed to judge here. And it's my blog. Tangent monitor!
My point is that if we are choosing to start the year (secular or Jewish) off on the right foot, we should really be thinking of goals to accomplish within that year. Attainable, realistic goals for ourselves, our families and community. We can diet, quit whatever and do better for ourselves at any time, if and when we choose to; not because it's the end of the year and time is running out. It doesn't necessarily have to be a big list, just one or two things; perhaps you want to be able to walk a certain distance without gasping for air, or decide to volunteer your time to an organization or synagogue, maybe you will finally finish that 'thing' you said you would get around to doing and haven't. Or, you just want to learn to play tennis because it seems like fun. Realistic goals. Hey, if you want to put 'climb Mount Kilimanjaro,' then I say go for it!
All in all, I would say the last half year was great. I wanted to relearn to read Hebrew because it' s something I wanted to do; it just happened that by chance (or was it?) I was lucky enough to be brought together with my P in T, and over the last 6 months, she has become a very dear friend to me and I am grateful to have her in my life. She is not only teaching me Hebrew, but educating me on Jewish culture and torah. It's like getting a second fortune in the cookie, spring rolls aside. I wanted to read and I gained a family. I went to Shul and made a friend M. (literally, one friend as nobody else speaks to me still), discovered an amazing family connection with the RD, and have a rabbi that I can harass with my questions. Not too Chablis.
So as I sit here scribbling ideas of what I would like to do within the next 12 months, I wonder what G-d has in store for me. Trip to Israel? learn to speak Hebrew or Yiddish? get a condo? bashert? winning the lottery? new hand blender? Only He knows, and He aint tellin me nuttin! Doesn't matter, because I'm always up for an adventure or a road trip, especially when teriyaki beef jerky and a cup of coffee are involved. No really, you have to try it.
Have a great year!
..baby steps
