Begin Againers

Shalom!

In the Jewish practice of Mussar, there is a concept that each person has his or her own “spiritual curriculum” that they must determine for themselves in order to find the ideal balance in their life between the Yetzeir Hatov, the inclination of our higher selves, and the Yetzeir Harah, the inclination of our lower selves. The high holiday season gives us time to reassess our priorities and values, and gives us a chance to set an intention for the new year.

Each year in Elul, the month of reflection in the Hebrew calendar leading up to the new year, we have a chance to atone for our wrongdoings, to make amends to those we have hurt. On Rosh Hashanah, the proverbial “book of life” is written, and on Yom Kippur, it is sealed. So we have a start the year with a clean slate, a blank page. We have a chance to do just a little bit better than we did last year. A chance to make T’shuvah, or as the writer of this song puts it, to be “Begin Againers.”

With Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year) coming up, my good friend Brock and I felt this song, “Begin Againers,” written by Nashville based artist, Scott Mulvahill,  was relevant, unique, and meaningful.  As you listen to this song, I challenge you to write down a few ways that you want to “Begin Again” this year. What do you want to do differently? Was there something missing in your life this past year that you want to do more of? Or something that you did in excess that you want to moderate or abstain from? Try to dig deep. And feel free to comment or reply back if you want to chat about it. Now’s the time, right?

May you be inscribed for a year of love, light, justice, and compassion.

With Love,
Josh