Hello friends,
I hope those of you that fasted this Yom Kippur had an easy and meaningful fast, and I hope you're all inscribed for good in the Book of Life. As always, during this High Holy Day, the Day of Atonement, I spent a lot of time thinking about forgiveness, particularly self-forgiveness. I wrote about how I am often the last person I forgive for any mistakes in the past year. I beat myself up and held myself to unreasonable expectations. As much as I write about being kind to ourselves and generous with our faults, I can't seem to take my own advice. I'm working on it, though.
Sukkot is coming up, and if you know me at all, you know I love Sukkot. Building the sukkah with my dad, waving the lulav and etrog, and eating meals under the stars all bring me back to the earth and to my ancestors. There is something so powerful in knowing that Jews who lived thousands of years ago participated in the same rituals we follow today. And the more antisemitism threatens my people, the more I will refuse to assimilate. I am a proud Jew, and I will not cower before hate.
In less heavy news, as the photo above attests, I've figured out my costume for Halloween this year, and I. AM. PUMPED. I even got some contacts so my glasses don't pull focus from the otherwise excellent costume I've put together. I'll share some photos with y'all later this month. October is my favorite month. Even though the leaves don't really change here, and it won't get cool for another couple of months, I still get that early fall feeling when October comes around. I prep for Halloween, buy fall teas, imagine all the soups I'm going make, and feel at peace.
Also, I don't know how many of y'all are baseball fans, but my Tampa Bay Rays are on the verge of making it to the ALCS game, and I. AM. PUMPED. (Are you sensing a theme here?) I'm writing this email Thursday night before the game, so by the time you read this, the Rays will either go on to face the Yankees, or they'll be back here in Tampa Bay. Either way, they've put on an incredible show. This merry band of misfits put together a season that no one expected. They have the lowest payroll in the MLB. They have the lowest game attendance in the league. Most of these guys failed with their previous teams. Only one guy on the roster was here the last time the Rays made the postseason.
I'm sorry if all this sports talk is boring, but I freaking love sports. I yell at the TV. I go to watch parties with other fans. I cry during playoff commercials. (Don't judge me.) Sports are unifying, inspiring, and entertaining as hell. I hope some of y'all are big sports fans too and understand what I'm talking about, but if you're not, why not try watching some games? Pick a sport, pick a team, and get in the spirit. You might be surprised by how uplifted you feel when your David of a team beats the league's Goliath.
Sorry if this week's email was a little all over the place. But you know what, life is a little all over the place sometimes, so that's how it is. A little bit somber. A little bit pumped. A lot hopeful for the future.
See you next week,
Yardena