Shoftim - Accepting,Understanding,and Acting Upon Change

Shoftim -  Accepting,Understanding,and Acting Upon Change

Elul 6/7,5775    August 21/22, 2015

In this Torah portion, Shoftim (Judgement), we read about judgment,parameters to follow,and rules to abide by, and the processes to follow G-d's instruction.  This might clearly be interpreted as to mean we are to judge ourselves, not just appoint 'judges' for our cities and government, but should definitely appoint ourselves as judges over ourselves. A very novel thought!

              For example, in Judaism, a person is not euphemistically lifted or transported in a manner to heaven (or higher being or atmosphere) when we enter a Temple/Synagogue/House of Worship, as we try to bring G-d down to earth and near us, and have G-d help us ‘here’ close to our own being and environment, as well as in our heart and soul.  Instead of trying or feeling sad or sorry for ourselves and maybe some pity, having G-d come to us and INTO our own zone allows us to experience a sense of empowerment and being able to overcome our own issues and or obstacles.  We should never feel hopeless or helpless facing our daily issues, as we CAN indeed solve or resolve them. 

        There are some people that blame others for their personal stumbling blocks or issues at hand,and extremely accusatory, and WE ALL have issues one day or another, or are just closed to new ideas,trying NEW things,or working on oneself.  The Issues at hand: I call them character builders!  The person who goes around and says, “If only the president would allow me to work and not pay so much in taxes,or why did the Marriage Equality Law pass???, "  "I should have sought assistance with my issue/behavior!?" Or, “Darn, I need help loosing weight or giving up drinking and/or drugs.”   If we, the people indeed take ACTION and move step by step forward, then the change is gradually accepted (or at least being worked upon), and NOT staying with the attitude of finger pointing,yelling, and always blaming others, as being very non-responsive to acceptance/change? It really takes a lot less energy to be proactive and productive and grow! Stand up and believe in yourself and really judge yourself, BUT do it fairly and with an honest heart and open mind! It's not always easy.  It's YOUR responsibility to make a change for the positive and for a  proactive forward approach for YOUR own growth, no matter what the size of growth or accomplishment that needs to be reached/attained. Baby steps are awesome,and gradually becomes habit,then the pace becomes a little faster,and so on!   Start with attending one Weight Watcher meeting, attend an AA closed meeting, listen better, be open to actually reading and delve into a topic you may not fully understand, but are having a difficult time of WHY!?   

       Yes, judge yourself, but also understand that acceptance, and understanding MUST be practiced with in our judgement,and with that, WE then grow with positive and progressive forward change!  

     Since we are the owners of our own JUDGEMENT, do we put limitations upon ourselves that are undeserving, may be quick to pass the buck and have a limiting self-fulfilling prophecy? Do we say, "NO" to ourselves too quickly? Self-judgment is tough work, so stand upright, dust yourself off, bring yourself back to Earth, take a look in the mirror, and say with conviction and aloud, “I can, and I will succeed.” "I am able to grow with a sincere and comprehensible understanding and willing to change if/when needed".   Do we all have setbacks in life? Absolutely! Do we all have some difficulty to accepting growth and change?  One of my favorite quotes, "Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed"   Booker T. Washington