Fallin for Elul

September 16th, 2022 | 20 Elul 5782

TGIF :)

If there’s one thing you probably know about me, it’s how much I love the beach. I’ve been at least once almost every single week since I moved to Los Angeles. I made it to the beach last night for sunset after way too much time away. I met a friend there, and as the sun set we reflected on our first year living in LA; the growth we’ve had, the lessons we learned, and the challenges we’ve overcome. All topics that are timely with the new season we are entering, however it's easy to forget that is true because fall doesn’t really happen in LA - it was 80 degrees yesterday!

My friend was talking about how symbolic fall is, it gets cooler, the leaves change colors, and eventually fall off the tree entirely. Just like the leaves fall off the trees, we also have an opportunity to decide what we may need to let fall off our own trees. What do we need to reevaluate? Let go of? Adjust expectations and reprioritize? A very timely conversation for entering into this season, a new school year, maybe a new fiscal year, and even a new Jewish year. As we countdown to Rosh Hashanah, we also wrap up the current lunar month, Elul.

I like to describe Elul as an entire month devoted to what we typically do during the time period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, repentance, forgiveness, etc. Elul is an entire month dedicated to deep introspection. Elul offers time for us to practice t'shuvah. A concept that means to return. We have a month to return to ourselves, check in with ourselves, and think about how we want our personal fall leaves to change colors.

For me, this month has been challenging for me. I’ve realized that I’ve been off my own self-care game and have been feeling completely out of balance. The perfectionist in me is coming out and I’ve been moving a million miles a minute. Rest? IDK her. After some real low moments, I realized I have not been living by my own values. It's time to get back to that version of myself. As I navigate a new semester and a new routine, I’ve been working hard to be more intentional with how I prioritize my time and honor what I need to show up as my best self.

This Shabbat, I offer you some reflection questions so you can work to return to your best self.

• As you transition into a new season, what are you going to let fall ?

• Imagine the version of yourself that you want to be this season. How will you get there?

Challenge: Go out in nature and find a magical space to witness the change from summer to fall. For me, the sunset makes me feel closer to that version of myself I’m trying to get back to. What is that for you?

Forever grateful for y’all. Shabbat Shalom <3

Ethically,

Emily