Saturday, August 15, 2015

#BlogElul 1: Prepare

Image: engageselling.com
I am from the list makers -- sometimes Buzzfeed-esque, sometimes not.

From the checkers, the double checkers, the triple checkers, the trackers, the reservation makers, the lovers of confirmation emails.

I am from the wait-in-the-lobby travelers, so the Carmel limo driver doesn't have to call upstairs, from the leave-the-house-a-few-minutes-early cohort, just in case the bus is running late.

This is no trip to Columbus, though. No long weekend down the shore.

How do we prepare for a journey of the soul? The annual pilgrimage of our deepest selves in search of our better selves?

What lists should we make? What items do we need to check off?

Is it a list of things we wish to be?  The things we've accomplished since last Elul? Those we've avoided?

The ones we've hoped for and dreamed about? Those that happened? Maybe those that didn't -- the ones that get copied onto a new list -- again -- for the coming year.

Maybe it's the marks we missed?  Or the bull's eyes we hit? Or all the places in between?

The ideas we've embraced? The ideals we've embodied? Those we've rejected outright? Or those we've tweaked to make our own?

Will there be a confirmation email in our in-box once all the lists are made?  When all the right items have been checked off?

Done?

Finished?

Completed?

If not wholly prepared, than at least thought about? Considered? On the radar? In the ballpark?

Are we ever ready?  Really ready?

I don't know...it's a good thing we have 40 days to figure it out.

Inspired by Ima on (and off) the Bima,this #BlogElul post is the first 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.