Happy Monday! 

I hope your weekend was blessed and restful!

Yesterday was the beginning of Yom Kippur, and it will end this evening. The Day of Atonement is one of the High Holy Days in the Jewish tradition and a time when each person faces their sins of the past year. Many Christians commemorate this unique time, as well. The purpose is to make amends and ask for forgiveness.

Leviticus 16:29 teaches:

“This is standard practice for you, a perpetual ordinance. On the tenth day of the seventh month, both the citizen and the foreigner living with you are to enter into a solemn fast and refrain from all work, because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. In the presence of God, you will be made clean of all your sins. It is a Sabbath of all Sabbaths. You must fast. It is a perpetual ordinance.” (MSG)

We find many traditions surrounding making amends and asking for forgiveness in our society. I wonder, however, how many of us take advantage of those opportunities to honor others, and in doing so, practice integrity. With all the world unrest today, wouldn’t a movement of atonement be an incredible way to bring understanding and peace.

We might even begin with this soul searching prayer ~

To Those L Have Wronged I Ask Forgiveness to Those I Have Helped I Wish I Could Have Done More to Those I Was Unable to Help I Ask for Understanding to

We’ve all wronged others. Many times, though, our egos get in the way of admitting it and prevent us from asking for forgiveness. Such a simple and powerful means of connection, but we struggle.

Sometimes we’ve helped another person but fell short of the actual need due to time constraints, a lack of compassion, or maybe we just didn’t realize the problem’s complexity. We wish we could have done more.

Perhaps we couldn’t help. There’s no need to beat ourselves up. Acknowledging our inabilities is a means to build relationship and seek understanding. The process opens the door to thoughtful consideration of another person’s journey.

And then there’s recognition of help from those who have assisted us. Maybe we needed someone with different skills to assist us in completing a project. There’s the possibility that we were down on our luck and needed an outstretched hand to pull us up. Or, maybe we just needed a listening ear during a confusing time. Expressing our gratitude for these moments provides encouragement for the future.

Here are some other thoughts to ponder:

“Sometimes you only get one chance to rewrite the qualities of the character you played in a person’s life story. Always take it. Never let the world read the wrong version of you.”

– Shannon L. Alder

“Making amends is not only saying the words but also being willing to listen to how your behavior caused another’s pain, and then the really hard part changing the behavior.”

– David W. Earle

“It’s not a person’s mistakes which define them – it’s the way they make amends.”

– Freya North

There is such wisdom in these words. Consider the far-reaching effects of atonement, making amends, and looking for ways to honor others in your life. Let people know how thankful you are for their selfless support and seek to replicate the spirit of gratitude they’ve shown to you.

Look for ways to help in your family, community, and group affiliations. Be a trendsetter. Let acts of kindness guide your thoughts and actions. Who knows, it may catch on! I wonder what the world would look like then.

Be Well & Be Blessed!

Lucinda