Wow, Rabbi Sommer, that's a hefty theme to put on a Friday, when I'm busy getting ready for Shabbat! Forgiveness is an interesting topic, because it is presented as a sign of ultimate altruism - this person must be a super nice and evolved person, because she forgave the person who did this dreadful thing … Continue reading #BlogElul 10: Forgive
Tag: coaching
#BlogElul 9: See
Yesterday I talked about the power of hearing within our tradition, but the High Holy Day liturgy is also full of powerful images, invoking our power of sight. The most famous image, of course, is that of G-d as King, seated upon the throne of judgement, deciding what will happen with us in the coming … Continue reading #BlogElul 9: See
#BlogElul 7: Understand
As a scientist, I have often thought that my job was to try and understand the world. I've now come to the conclusion that my understanding of "understand" was flawed. Understanding is a funny thing. When we use it with regards to the words of another, we mean that we have comprehended their meaning - … Continue reading #BlogElul 7: Understand
#BlogElul 6: Want
This evening I was on an amazing call with my coach, Karen Fagan, and a group of other women. Among other things, we discussed the importance of deciding what you want. It seems pretty obvious, doesn't it? And yet, a remarkable number of people don't know what they want. They might be very clear on … Continue reading #BlogElul 6: Want
#BlogElul 5: Accept
Acceptance is an interesting concept. It looks like it might mean giving up, not striving any more, just accepting what is. But that's not necessarily true. For example, an empowered person accepts 100% responsibility for everything that happens in his or her life, good and bad. That doesn't mean that the person shoulders blame for … Continue reading #BlogElul 5: Accept
#BlogElul 4: Choose
Coming out of Shabbat is a good time to reflect on our power to choose. This post will be brief, as it is late and I choose to honour my health with adequate sleep. In today's Torah reading, I told the congregation about various transgressions that were punishable by death - idolatry, refusing to accept … Continue reading #BlogElul 4: Choose
#BlogElul 3: Prepare
I'm sure it's no coincidence that Rabbi Sommer put this theme on a Friday. This post will be brief, because I am not only preparing for the High Holy Day season, today I am preparing for Shabbat. Shabbat is a weekly recurring holiday, in which observant Jews take the day off from the world. Wouldn't … Continue reading #BlogElul 3: Prepare
#BlogElul 2: Search
If you look at the graphic that Rabbi Sommer has kindly provided for this project, you'll notice that several of the themes come in pairs - Hear and See, End and Begin. You'd expect today's theme, Search, to be paired with Find, but it isn't. During the High Holy Day season, we search our souls, … Continue reading #BlogElul 2: Search
Are Your Goals Big Enough? (video)
Do your goals make you sick to your stomach? If not, they may not be big enough!