A New Year, A New Path Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 611

There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: The Romance of Self-Discovery by Portia Nelson

Chapter One
“I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost… I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter Two
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes me a long time to get out.

Chapter Three
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. It’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault. I get out immediately.

Chapter Four
walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter Five
I walk down another street.”

This short story beautifully captures the journey of growth and self-awareness. As we approach Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, which starts this evening, it invites us to reflect on our own paths of discovery and transformation. Much like the protagonist who navigates the pitfalls in the sidewalk, we, too, are given an opportunity to acknowledge the patterns in our lives, take responsibility for our actions, and make conscious choices to forge new directions.

Whether you celebrate or not, Rosh Hashana is a time of deep reflection, renewal, and commitment to personal growth. It encourages us to look within, to recognize the “holes” we may have fallen into—whether in our relationships, habits, or actions—and to take steps toward change. This process of teshuva, or repentance, is an invitation to walk down a different street, to envision a path that aligns with our values and aspirations for a better future.

As an Israeli X-pat and someone who has proudly served in the IDF, this reflection holds even deeper meaning. In these challenging times when Israel faces conflict on multiple fronts, I hope for resilience, strength, and unity. The journey of the protagonist mirrors the journey of Israel, as we navigate obstacles, learn from the past, and move forward with hope.

Let us hold on to the sincere hope for a future of true peace—not only for Israel, but for the entire Middle East, and for all of us. May this new year inspire us to walk down another street, to choose a path of wisdom, compassion, and enduring peace.

Wishing you all a Shana Tova—a year of health, growth, and profound blessings. May we continue to navigate our sidewalks with grace and emerge stronger from every challenge.

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