Friday, September 11, 2015

#BlogElul 28: Five Things to Give a Hoot About in 5776

  1. Identify an issue you care about -- hunger, poverty, voting rights, Alzheimer's, it doesn't really mater -- and get up on your soapbox every so often to give the cause your time, energy or expertise.
  1. Give someone a break: Buy a stranger or a homeless person a cup of coffee. Pay the toll for the driver behind you, swipe someone into the subway on your Metrocard.
  1. Give a donation. It doesn't have to be a big one, but, like it our not, money's what makes the world go around. There are countless worthy causes, all of which can use our support. Pick one and write a check or donate online.
  1. Give thanks for the good you can do: help a neighbor, call a friend, smile at someone in the elevator, make a batch of chicken soup for your colleague with the flu.
  1. Give yourself some slack: sleep in, read a book, leave the office before six, treat yourself to deli flowers. Be as good to yourself as you are to others.
Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech haolam, for enabling me to give financially, emotionally and in all other ways -- to myself and to others. 

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