Scene: Four recently retired ladies – Ethel, Judy, Sandra, and Rachel – are having lunch shortly after Yom Kippur at a famous Jewish deli.
[Ethel ordered the matzo ball soup. Judy wanted to split a corned beef sandwich (although she did worry about a split charge), and Sandra chose salad with salmon (resenting the $12 up charge). Susan threw caution to the wind and was looking forward to spooning up kasha varnishkes.]
Ethel: Girls, I’ve been thinking. Now that our New Year has started, why don’t we have “Jewish New Year’s Resolutions”? We’ve confessed; we’ve asked for forgiveness – so let’s think of what we can do to make the new year ahead better than the last.
She took a spoonful of soup and continued.
We have more time to do more things, so let’s make meaningful promises to ourselves about what’s going to be different. We do it every year in January, why not for the Jewish New Year?
Judy thought for a moment, put down her half sandwich and stifled a giggle. Ok, I’ll start, she said with a twinkle in her eye.
Since I’m going to be baking more now and helping with special events, I promise that when I’m asked to share my rugelach recipe, I’ll actually share the whole thing, instead of leaving out a couple of ingredients like I usually do! She put her hands over her guilty face.
I heard Susan mumble, I knew it! I knew mine just didn’t taste the same!
Rachel wiped her chin with her napkin and took a deep breath.
My turn. I was just thinking about this in services. With more time, I’ll probably go to Temple more often.
Then she held up her hand and said, I promise to talk less in services, pay more attention, and stop watching people, wondering where they got their outfits and who told them they looked good!
She sat back and blushed.
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Sandra glanced at Ethel and said, ok, ladies, enough. Our friend is being serious. She took a deep breath and smirked.
From now on when I meet new people, I’m going to simply mention my grandkids in passing and show only one picture - even though they are smarter, better looking, and have more personality than everybody else’s!
With that truth telling, no one could hold back. Even Ethel had to wipe away a few laugh tears. And then it was her turn:
Alright, this new year I’m going to try harder to consider what I’m going to say - before I say it. But really, what’s wrong with telling it like it is? Filter/Schmilter!
It took a while for the laughter to calm down.
Then, finally, from no one in particular and in no particular order, they came up with the following:
#1 – I am going to stop always searching for somewhere to get a discount. After all, random acts of kindness towards small businesses are really appreciated. Yes, occasionally, I’ll pay full price. (There, I said it.)
#2 – I’m going to really start an exercise routine (ok, maybe even Pickleball) and to eat more healthy food, even if it does mean occasionally giving up Sunday bagels, lox, and babka.
3 – No more planning my husband’s day and week in Retirement. Maybe then he will finally figure it out for himself – including lunch!
4 – I want to start listening more, bossing less, and remembering what optimistic Jewish mamas always say, “If life gives you potatoes, make latkes!”
What’s on your Jewish New Year’s Resolution list?
L’Shana Tova!
Loretta
loretta@coachingwithloretta.com