So I Guess I’ll Have to Do it While I’m Here: A #BlogElul Post

As regular readers of this blog know well, I'm fond of most things Jewish -- and most especially contemporary Jewish music.  Among my favorite artists in my iTunes library is Peri Smilow, and among her works, When I'm Gone gets repeated often on my iPad.

In addition to loving her beautiful, crystalline voice, I think the lyrics (which together with the music were written by Phil Ochs) are a good fit for today's #BlogElul prompt:  Do.

There’s no place in this world where I’ll belong when I’m gone
And I won’t know the right from the wrong when I’m gone
You won’t find me singin’ this song when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

And I won’t feel the flowing of the time when I’m gone
All the pleasures of love will not be mine when I’m gone
My pen won’t pour out a lyric line when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

And I won’t breathe the brandied air when I’m gone
And I can’t even worry ‘bout my cares when I’m gone
Won’t be asked to do my share when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

And I won’t be running from the rain when I’m gone
And I can’t even suffer from the pain when I’m gone
There’s nothing that I can lose or I can gain when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

And I won’t see the golden of the sun when I’m gone
And the evenings and the mornings will be one when I’m gone
Can’t be singing louder than the guns when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

All my days won’t be dances of delight when I’m gone
And the sands will be shifting from my sight when I’m gone
Can’t add my name into the fight when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

And I won’t be laughing at the lies when I’m gone
I can’t question how or when or why when I’m gone
Can’t live proud enough to die when I’m gone
So I guess I’ll have to do it while I’m here

So, whatever you're doing -- to appreciate our magnificent world and its grandeur, to make your corner of it a better place, to show the people in your life how much they mean to you -- keep on doing it.

Hug your kids.

Dance with them around the living room.

Watch the sun set.  If it's from the deck of a cruise ship, good for you.  If it's on a street corner near home, put your grocery bags down until the orange orb dips below the horizon.

Ask questions.

Seek answers.

Sign a petition.

Run for office.

Apply to graduate school.

Finish your degree.

Study the petals of a flower in your garden.

Write the poem that's in your head.

Play hookey to play miniature golf.

Go hang gliding.

Ski the expert trail.

Rent a Citi Bike...but don't forget your helmet.

Ride a dirt bike...don't forget your helmet on that one either.

Look for the rainbow after a sun shower.

Sing out loud.

Vote.

Learn to use a potter's wheel.

Find the good in every person.

Tie on a bungee cord.

Take a leap of faith.

Live with no regrets.

Inspired by Ima on (and off) the Bima, this post is one in a series marking the days of the Hebrew month of Elul, which precedes the Jewish High Holidays and traditionally serves as a time of reflection and spiritual preparation for the new year.