Getting Back into the Swing of Things

Coming off the "high" of the High Holidays is not so easy. It's spiritually uplifting to be connected through time and space with my Higher Power. This is a natural consequence of the holidays, where we are put into the position of frequent prayers and symbols -- where we are confronted day after day with all the trappings of repentance and forgiveness.

On the other hand, we women have been placed in the special position of "provider" of all the meals, cleaning up our homes, serving others, and all the rest of the actions that come along with preparing for the holidays. Whew! It's been an overwhelming month for many of us, and now we are expected to settle back into the grind of fall and winter.

How can I retain the spiritual "high" while gearing myself up for the greyness of what is to come? How do we "come down" without losing all that we have gained? This is a challenge for me, as I'm sure it is for others. Do we settle back into our old routine, and just pick up right where we left off two months ago? Do we get back into the petty details and nitty-gritty of life; or do we keep G-d in the close proximity we have developed over the last few weeks?

I hope to be able to keep G-d close to me. But how should I do this? How can I remember to connect with Him daily with the same fervent devotion and connection? How do I "remember to remember"?

I believe that beginning with a Gratitude List will be able to help me. By writing down a few things every morning that I am grateful for, I can remember who I am grateful to. By keeping that same vigilance about not hurting others or not speaking badly of others -- Lashon Harah -- that I’ve had during the weeks leading up to the High Holidays, I'm able to continue to distance myself from this negative behavior -- even long after the winter has come. By continuing to connect with my Higher Power on a daily basis, I can remain close to Him.

These spiritual exercises don't have to belong only to September and October. I will strive to have them remain part of my daily repertoire throughout the year; so that when next Elul comes around, I will truly feel close and connected -- Ani Ledodi Vedodi Li. The courtship continues throughout the year; the connection remains strong, so that I will not ask myself in a few months: "If G-d seems far away, then who moved?"

It is clear to me that He is accessible all the time, all through the year. It's my job to stay in contact with Him and to remember His availability. It's to my benefit if I do. I stand to gain more than I can even comprehend by keeping this connection strong and vibrant.

So, as the weeks and days pass, with the winter weather soon upon us, I pray that I will remember to actively work on this -- and get back into the "swing" of things, without losing the magic that this time of year has brought to me.