Living in the present: November 2012

So this posting has been a post in the making. It was started before Rosh Hashanah, continued through Yom Kippur, and even made it into Sukkot. We'll just say that September was a super busy month!! (and clearly October and part of November, as its November 10th and I'm just getting to finishing it up!)

I've always loved Rosh Hashanah and its definitely been for reasons other than there being no school!! I think its the association with new beginnings. I love new things. How could you not? There's so much excitement that comes along with it. Think about it. A new article of clothing to wear. A new ice cream flavor to try. A new song by your favorite band to blast on your iphone while walking down the street. The list is endless...

Well, this year I was especially excited for the new year to approach. I've never been one to enjoy the synagogue experience. And while I do attend services both days of the holiday, its not the meaning that I derive there that really stays with me rather its the community feel and the reflection that I do on my own that I enjoy. Walking to shul on RH was breathtaking. It was really beautiful and there was such a Jew-y feeling in the air. Something spiritual. Kind of like that moment during a run I had a few weeks ago with my friend Beth when it started to torrential downpour on us but it was awesome and miraculous and we looked at each other and just said "HaShem". I get to pass a reform temple on my way to shul and I happened to walk past just as a big wave of people were entering. It was really cool. All different kinds of people and arriving in all different ways. My favorite was the ones who came by taxi cab. Such is the urban life...

Flash forward to Yom Kippur. We did an activity at school the day of which had the kids listening to an orchestral version of "Kol Nidre" and just taking in the music. We asked them to jot down some thoughts and feelings about they heard. It was really cool to see them connect to a musical piece and then have the big revelation that its actually something Jewish. Kol Nidre has always been the prayer that gives the whole high holiday experience deeper meaning for me. I was happy to say goodbye to last year and use everything that I learned then in the year to come.

The last few months I've been thinking a lot about paying it forward and the balance of the world. It kind of started one day at work when one of my colleagues refused to help me out with something. I was so annoyed by the selfishness and really carried it with me. I ended up going for a run that same afternoon and as I hit mile 5 I saw an older man fall down really hard on the path. I stopped my run to see how he was doing, but before I could even get to him another person did and helped the old man up and really took over. There was not much for me to do so I went back to running, but as I left I smiled thinking, "one persons selfishness today led to someone else's generosity." I guess thats how the world balances out.

I hit a major accomplishment last Sunday. I ran a 15K race (thats 9.3 miles!) and as hard as it was to get through because of a slight knee injury it felt absolutely amazing to cross that finish line! :) It was amazing to know that I had set a goal for myself and was able to accomplish it. I would never have believed anyone a year ago that I could run over 9 miles. Here are some photos below.... enjoy!