We have just completed the first interval in our journey. Today is inventory day, a review of where you started from, where you are, and where you would like to be.
For those who have been keeping up with the daily exercises, it is time to reevaluate your end goals and ensure you are progressing steadily. For those who are catching up, now is the time to write down your end goals in self–improvement that you would like to achieve before standing in front of H'shem on Rosh Hashana.
We are quickly approaching the day that will determine the fate of the next year of our lives. Our experiences in the last year have taught us, the opportunity to improve ourselves, our relationships, and our commitment to H'shem should not be taken lightly.
Exercise: Seven-Day Review
Below is a brief summary of the first seven exercises from the Count 40 workshop. At the end of each day's summary, evaluate how you have grown in the focused exercise. Mark your progress by jotting down brief notes next to each subject.
Day 1: Embracing Strengths and Weaknesses
I have strengths and weaknesses, all parts that make up who I am. My objective is to use my positive attributes, as well as my struggles to serve H'shem. The only way I can achieve this is by recognizing all the boundless and continuous gifts H'shem has blessed me with. When I internalize with gratitude and appreciate how much H'shem cares for me, I can see my struggles as acts of love from H'shem pushing me to levels I would otherwise never push myself to achieve, embracing the struggle and allowing them to strengthen me.
Communication:
Self-Improvement:
Emuna, Bitachon, and Tefilah:
Personal Goals:
Day 2: Accountability and Motivation
Taking accountability for who I am, should not discourage me; it should empower me to want to be better. Motivation must be a constant state of mind so as not to let the Satan sabotage my goals and progress with dejection and negativity. We all struggle; H'shem is rooting for us. I have to commit to improving my indiscretions, now more than ever.
Communication:
Self-Improvement:
Emuna, Bitachon, and Tefilah:
Personal Goals:
Day 3: Renewing Vows with H'shem
The 40 days of Elul through Yom Kippur, commemorate the renewal of vows between H'shem and the Jewish nation. It is an illustration of the eternal bond between us, solidified by being forgiven for Chet H'Agel and receiving the second Luchot H'Brit as our wedding gift. The effort we put into feeling H'shem's immense closeness during this time, simultaneously working to better ourselves through character improvement, and Avodas H'shem brings the experience back to life.
Communication:
Self-Improvement:
Emuna, Bitachon and Tefilah:
Personal Goals:
Day 4: Overcoming Autopilot
Your busy life often puts you in a state of autopilot. This state creates a barrier between how you want to react and your impulsive reactions. By awakening the frontal thinking part of your brain, you can choose to act with thought and intent, improving your behavior and relationships.
Communication:
Self-Improvement:
Emuna, Bitachon, and Tefilah:
Personal Goals:
Day 5: Judging Favorably
Judging others favorably earns me a favorable judgment in Heaven. How can I accomplish this when faced with negative behavior? By accepting human imperfection in myself as well as in others, I can choose to reframe the situations to see my behaviors, as well as others, in a positive light.
Communication:
Self-Improvement:
Emuna, Bitachon, and Tefilah:
Personal Goals:
Day 6: Managing Triggers
Life by nature is demanding and stressful, but that is not an excuse for poor behavior. My "triggers" are the events in my life that prompt a negative response and or reaction. By making a plan of action, I can prepare myself before being thrown into a stressful situation to preempt a damaging response. I can now practice my plan of action to be used in stressful situations so that I can act with intent and be proud of my behavior.
Communication:
Self-Improvement:
Emuna, Bitachon, and Tefilah:
Personal Goals:
Day 7: Replacing Bad Habits
Using guided imagery, I can wipe bad habits out of my mind and replace the infractions with integrity and virtue. I am not my behaviors, and my behaviors are not me. If I adopted a bad habit, it may take time and effort, but with practice and dedication, I can replace it with a positive action.
Communication:
Self-Improvement:
Emuna, Bitachon, and Tefilah:
Personal Goals:
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