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Greetings friends
We are about a year from the death of the great queen - something from novels and film – but this one affected 7 billion people - and while Elizabeth II did not rule 7 billion - she profoundly touched the lives of just about everyone on earth – as it marked the end of an era. Somehow, it has passed without a lot of talk.
Royalty is unique - it is from cradle to grave, and we are seeing history unfold and will not see anything like it again in our lifetimes - Charles is 73; William is 40. The era of the queen is over. There will only be kings for the next century, other than queens by marriage - and we read about special marriage today.
We are also at the time of a very dark anniversary as we are approaching the specter of 9/11 – a more modern-day that will live in infamy. It is one of those dates - like the Kennedy assassination- you remember where you were. I was at the dentist watching it in the waiting room.
The world changed that day because terror is a different kind of war, and now it was here, not there – and that changes everything.
These are endings that bring new beginnings, and of course, we are only a few weeks away from the annual new beginning - Rosh Hashanah – a term which means head of the head, but we tend to call it new year’s – we say shana tova – a phrase that means good year - not happy new year – and while it is not really new year’s; it’s almost a hybrid kind of new year, it does wish a good year - but not really in the physical year sense – no, it is in the sense of the spiritual year - you get to reset your soul. You get two opportunities a year – and this is the reset button.
There is a phrase that is used during this period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, and that is - Ketivah v’chatima tovah – a phrase meaning - A good inscription and sealing. On Rosh Hashanah - Three books are opened – the book of the righteous, the book of the evil, and the book of the intermediate.
Two are obvious – and your name is inscribed in one of these books – and you look at that mirror of self – you contemplate your life, your status, your standing, and on Yom Kippur – it is sealed. You have the ten days before it is sealed to take any steps you need to take – and in the blink of an eye, you can move mountains.
We are partway through the book of retelling, and it is easy to see that it is just that. A summary of key laws we saw before, but with minor changes, minor clarifications, and with a real underlying theme – which you see throughout the entire book of Deuteronomy – this retelling emphasizes the ethical, the decent, the humane and many of its laws can be summed up as Be excellent to each other – something we should all still practice and something to think about as we get ready for Rosh Hashanah and the time of judgment.
We know we learn through stories, which is why we continue to tell stories through all media possible – reading, music, film, and TV. And we cannot forget all the actions of our lives weave the greatest story of all together – the story of your life.
That is the story that you get to examine every year – to edit, to refine, to review, and to correct.
As you prepare for the period of examination – of and by self; of and by the celestial court – defending our lives and taking the steps to correct whatever needs correction.
And we expect to be judged with decency and dignity, and that is the theme of this week. We are reminded to treat everyone with honor, dignity, and decency – be it a captive of war that we wish to marry – they are not property; they are not chattel – there are humans with rights that exist among us all. We are also reminded that if we come across anything that is not ours – it is not ours – we hold it and care for it until whoever lost it seeks it. There is no law of “finders, keepers”. That is an illusion of truth.
We hold it for our brother until our brother seeks it. We are all brothers and sisters.
There is an underlying law to the universe that we must treat everyone as we would want to be treated.
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Be well, be happy, be healthy, be free, be kind, be forgiving, be compassionate, be independent of mind and deed, be mindful of your intentions, and be good to yourself. Continue to celebrate freedom of choice in your life, do not give in to the fear which is so prevalent, and enjoy the peace that comes from acceptance – as always - if you have any questions or suggestions or want to say “hi,” please send me an email. I love hearing from you.
And remember, anytime you do not want to receive these anymore, please send me an email so I can remove you. And know - that I truly appreciate your sharing your sacred time with me.
Enjoy and celebrate your life and the lives of others, and in doing so, be safe, my friends, be happy, and may you all sow the seeds of and reap the rewards of peace and love and miracles, and make sure you also celebrate your unique individuality and your incredible awesomeness.
Continue celebrating love; continue celebrating freedom; send renewal and goodwill out to everyone in the world – it is an energy that cannot be stopped - and remember – your world is what you make it. Just wish upon a star, continue to be a miracle in someone’s life, and light the light of love.
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