High Holy Days

A Journey to Peace 5784 Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur

  • Day 1 – Relationships: Am I Looking Within?

    Renewal of our relationships means asking big questions. How am I interacting with my friends, family, community, and work?

    Do I owe anyone an apology? Do I need to return a borrowed item? Can I mend a broken connection? Have I left a promise undone?

    Make a list.

  • Day 2 - Physical Self Care: Am I Listening to My Body's Needs?

    Am I taking care of my physical body?

    Have I had medical and dental check-ups? Am I getting enough rest and quiet time? Am I caring for my changing challenges? Do I pay attention to my diet and exercise?

  • Day 3 - Spiritual Practice: Am I Seeking Growth?

    What am I doing to grow spiritually?

    What new activity have I tried or re-introduced into my routine?

    Are there comforting practices in my day, week, or monthly schedule?

    Do I have someone in my life or in my community to guide me?

  • Day 4 - Anger: Am I resentful?

    Is there someone in my life that has hurt me? Have I retaliated? What is MY part?

    Can I forgive or start to forgive? Can I ask for forgiveness? Do I need help with this?

  • Day 5 - Fear: Why am I afraid?

    What, and of whom am I fearful? Why? Make a list.

    Are these fears real or imagined? Are there things I do in my life to reduce those fears? Are these actions healthy?

  • Day 6 - Truth: Do I practice honesty with myself and others?

    Do I justify “exceptions from the truth” to create perceived positive results?

    Am I more concerned with seeking approval than being truthful?

    When I am not being honest about how I feel regarding a relationship, decision, lifestyle, etc., do I avoid making changes?

  • Day 7 - Balance: Where is the joy, love, and play in my life?

    Does my life contain tangible fun? Is it enough?

    Do I actively seek enriching experiences, entertainment, and generosity?

    Can I turn off multimedia and electronic devices for a part of my day or week? Do I honor and spend time in nature?

    Do I listen?

  • Day 8 – Patience: "Tell me yes, tell me no, but please don’t tell me to wait."

    Do I always treat time as a commodity, or can I slow down? Does my agenda supersede all others? Can I stay in the moment, or do I live in the past and the future?

    How can I do better?

  • Day 9 – Hope and Gratitude: Every day is a new beginning. We can start over any time.

    Prayer and meditation can take us to a place of unselfish and focused spiritual growth.

    Am I willing to add just one new practice to my daily routine, or more? Do I need help with this?

  • Day 10 – Service: A Start, A Smile, Thank You

    The path to peace and joy lies in the ability to do for others when our motives are not self-serving. Even the smallest token or act of kindness is enough each day.

    A Start can be a smile, “Thank You,” an anonymous gift or gesture, a kind word to a stranger, comforting the sick, supporting the grieving, asking for forgiveness, sharing a talent, or protecting the natural world.