Happiness

Today was Rosh Hashanah or Jewish New Year with the year being 5778.  The Rabbi had a sermon today about happiness.  Judaism, according to her, it about going after being happy.  Jews don't make a habit of denying themselves unless it's for a specific reason.  There are a few fast holidays, such as Yom Kippur, but Judaism isn't about denial to be close to G-d.  I found this concept quite interesting and something that I hadn't thought about before.

In her sermon, she asked us to close our eyes and think of something or somethings that could make us happier in this year.  I had 2 things that immediately came to mind: finding a new job and getting engaged.  These two things may not happen in the next year, but I am no the road to making that happen.  I am applying to jobs and I am moving in with my boyfriend in April.  So, moving forward at least.

While I will be pursuing my own happiness, I also have a tragedy in the back of my mind.  I advocate for mental health awareness, as many of you know.  This past month, my community was affected by a suicide.  This man was a police officer, had three children and was married to a friend.  There wasn't a stated reason to why he ended his life.  The negotiation team was outside his hotel room, but were not able to talk him down.  We may never know why.  I know that his family will need support for a long while to come.  Friends and well wishers will go on with their lives, but the immediate family will have a long road to recovery.  I know this and will assist in any way that I can in the long term.

I still struggle and know that I will continue to struggle with depression.  I have a lot of things to look forward to.  I am writing again.  I hope to take more classes this year because learning also makes me happy.  Life always changes and there are curve balls ahead, I know.  I want to continue to be a good friend, girlfriend, employee, daughter and sister.

L'shana Tova!