In two days, the month of Elul will end.  As I wrote on the first day, when the period of self-assessment begins, we are 30 days into the 40 day period of determining how we can make our lives- and the lives of others- better.  (You can also search for Elul in the index to the left and see more of my thoughts on this “resolution-making” period.)

I have been examining how I can improve over the past few weeks.  I hope you all have been doing so, too.  Not because you are Jewish- or not- but because we need to evaluate where we all routinely- and plan how to become better still.

Sunday night starts the holiday of Rosh Hashana- the New Year.  The end of Elul- leaving me- and you- only 10 days left to complete our self-assessments, determining what changes we should effect, how we can help others, and ensure we leave this world just a little better off because we walked upon it’s surface.

These are the questions we must answer…

What do we really want to see happen for us next year?  Not just one thing- but two, three, or four.  (No, winning the lottery doesn’t count as a valid choice!)  And, that means we need to list two or three small steps we will make- NOW, not tomorrow- to make it possible for these three or four things not to be a dream, but a reality before the next Elul rolls around.

What are we really afraid may occur for us in the next year?  I’m guessing you- like me- can think of a whole bunch of them.  But limit this assessment to two or three, because we want to devote our time to their preclusion.

A big task always happens by making the little steps.   And, that’s what this exercise is for- to find those little steps to insure we make progress.

My list includes financial changes,  helping my smaller clients become the bigger ventures of which they dream, and to find time to teach at the university level- helping students learn how to develop products, processes, and ventures successfully.   Without sacrificing the time I devote to my family and friends.

And, it would be really useful to put your list to paper (or perhaps to computer as I do) now?   That way we can review often during the coming months.

Oh, yeah…

You know what else happens on Sunday?  I get to be a year older.  (Doesn’t that really mesh with trying to determine what my next year should be like?)

I’ll share with you one song (a ditty, really) that has mesmerized me since I was a little tyke.  It’s called Im Eyn Ani Li, Mi Li…  The words are from Pirke Avot, the Ethics of our Fathers, a tractate in the mishna.  Rav Hillel, one of the most esteemed of our leaders, coined this phrase.  (He is also the one who- when a ruler demanded he be told the essence of Judaism while standing on one foot- rejoindered, “Love your neighbor as yourself… all the rest is commentary”.  Yeah.  I’m sure that sounds familiar to a whole bunch of you.)

So, what does Im eyn ani li mean?  Nothing but one of the key phrases of my life…

If I am not for myself, then who will be?

If I am only for myself, that what am I?

And, if not now, when?

 

May you be inscribed in the book of life.  And, have a glass of wine on me.  (Remember- I did explain that alcohol study yesterday!)