Happy Yom Kippur

Tonight starts Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. It's a pretty serious day as holidays go, and a time of the year meant for reflection and figuring out ways that we can improve in the coming year. I think, also, that it's a good time of year for forgiving the wrongs done to us during the past months, for in doing so we free ourselves up mentally and spiritually. Holding grudges and concentrating on the slights of other people prevents us from really looking at ourselves and making the decision to be better people, and prevents us from becoming as healthy as we are able to be. When has anger and resentment ever felt good? I mean, harboring a bit of darkness over an incident that hurt your feelings, or cost you money, or harmed you in any way at all might feel good initially. After all, we're not obligated to allow people to trample over us. Over time, however, these feelings can mutate into a much uglier emotional state, and even lead us to become more bitter people who view humanity as a whole as a cruel, hopeless lot. This is a tragic condition, because there are so many out in the world whose aim it is to do good, to do right, to use their talents and abilities to help other people (which, in the end, is what really brings us happiness). That said, you never know how much your kind words, or your smile, or your offer of help could effect someone else in a positive way, maybe even change the course of his or her life for good. I hope everyone celebrating Yom Kippur this year finds the holiday to be positively transformative, and that, regardless of your chosen spiritual path (I also follow Celtic spirituality and enjoy the reflect aspect of the Celtic holidays of this time of year as well), this day finds you sweet rather than bitter, happy rather than sad, healthy rather than sick, and of a giving and generous heart.