5 Elul: Accept

Accept
that this year probably won’t go as expected;
that your family won’t suddenly be less disfunctional;
that true change –
t’shuva
requires hard work and not just best intentions.

Accept
that you cannot go back;
that you don’t get a re-do;
that you can only move forward and
hope
that you might do better next time a similar set of circumstances
present themselves.

Accept
that not everyone who hurt you will appologize;
that not everyone you’ve hurt has told you that you hurt them;
that some of them will appologize and then hurt you again
and that you will likely do the same.

Accept your humanity
and theirs.

Accept
that this year may be your last;
that you need to treat it as if it were;
with humility and courage and realistic expectations.
Accept
that this year may not be your last;
that you won’t get it right either way;
that you will make some old mistakes and some new ones.

Accept who you are.
Then keep bettering yourself.
And then
accept
that you will still be you
and still need more bettering
tomorrow.