I guess it's a little late to be wishing folks a Happy New Year! But since this is my first post of 2008 I think I can get away with it.
As I was waiting to meet with my rabbi recently, I found the following poem in the back of our siddur:
New Year's Day, by Kenneth L. Patton
Each year should be the best year we have yet lived.
Each year we are more learned in the ways of life.
Each year we are wiser than the year before.
Each year our eyes know better the sights to seek.
Each year our ears listen with a finer tuning.
Every happening is a jewel, wrought about the fancy of time.
All that we understand of the universe is the setting for each sight and sound of day.
The child looks with gladness each year to be one year older.
Should not this welcome pursue us all our years?
The piling of the years is a richness like the piling of gold.
Our years are coins with which we can purchase more wisely at the bazaars of each new season.
Our love is more pliant and patient having been taught by time.
The New Year is one year older than the last.
The earth is more abounding in its growth.
The creatures have moved another step in their unfolding.
Humankind has left us one more year of art for our contemplation.
History is one year more resonant with lessons.
The sunrises are one year more familiar and promising.
The sunsets are one year less fearful, and the peace of the night is one year closer.
from Kol Haneshmamah: Limot Hol/Daily Prayer Book, p. 478.
I appreciate this poem. It says what I mostly feel. I want to start my year looking at the world in this way. I want to get back to feeling the "deep quiet" that was me at one time in my life. Last year I kept finding myself feeling as if I was always behind. Too much work, not enough time to be quiet. I took the first week of this year off from work and have vowed to take more vacation time. It does no one any good sitting in a pot waiting to be appreciated.
A and I joined the Y and we're both loving going to the gym several times each week. Our Y is a beautiful new facility that has tons of machines, a pool, even a climbing wall (oh, man, how I wish I could play with THAT thing!) Though I pushed myself a little too hard yesterday and am paying for it today with sore muscles, I'm happy. I have more energy. I'm going to lose weight and get back in shape! I'm sure it will also help me to, more easily, get to that deep quiet place on a regular basis.
LC wishes everyone a Happy New Year!
