May Blessings Abound. May Forgiveness Flow and May all Know Peace. Return to Yom Kippur

The power of our collective heart means when one of us celebrates we all celebrate, when one of us forgives we all benefit from that forgiveness.  Each life touches so many others because we are all connected. Every act of love resonates and expands naturally. Every act of forgiveness burns karma and connects to the deep river of our humanity shifting the world in wonderfully positive ways.

Since I'm unofficially a quarter Jewish, I feel blessed to be able to particip

ate with my Jewish friends and family in many of their ceremonies.

Yom Kippur is a beautiful time to cleanse the energy of the past, and rest in the oneness of spirit and community alongside the rest of our human tribe. I love this opportunity to clear that which we no longer have to carry.

These words in Hebrew with English Translation jump from the process and strike to the core of why it is a power day and celebration in the Book of Life.

V'ahavta I'rayakha ~ and you shall have love in your heart,
V'ahavta kamokha ~ for yourself and your friends,
V'ahavta ani hashem ~ to create a world of hope and peace,

Today I think of all my friends, past and present, I think of my family, I think about the many people I have met as I travel through the world, I think about a lot of things. But mostly, I think about how grateful I am, grateful to be able to experience grace and humor and love, everyday.

Each of us finds our own way on the path of the peaceful spiritual warrior, "capable of wrestling with Life without being defeated by living."

This past year I have been the beneficiary of a huge mitzvot. Beging able to experience giving and receiving in equal measures, being able to share myself and all the love with all of you.   For all of this I am grateful.

Tomorrow is a new day, but for this moment, I honor and celebrate the truth... I ask for forgiveness for all the transgressions, known and unknown.  I atone for all interactions that were not filled with love and I stand in peace and joy and love with all that is.

We live in a world full of love, and spirit and vitality and most importantly eternal joy.

I look forward to seeing what lays ahead.

Today's invocation of spirit from the Machzor for Yom Kippur

this day of At-one-ment,
for forgiving,
for clearing,
for at-one-ing.)


May the grace of God
ascend within us, open our ears,
open our hearts and minds,
to the flame of our ancestors,
to the flame of the Messiah,
to our people Israel,
to all humankind.

We open to the cleansing energy within us
the Power of purification present in every age:
Let it clear out the debris;
let it wash away our mistakes and our suffering,
so we may truly see, as it teaches,
"I, only I, Self of your self,
erase your lack of faith in your Self,
and I do this to make known
my reality through you.
Your mistakes I will not recall.
Indeed, I have swept away your mistakes

     like clouds blown away,
     like mist that vanishes.
     Turn to me-- I have already freed you!"
     For you have been promised:
     "On this day a-mending will be made for you,
     to cleanse you from all your mistakes.
     Before the Infinite you shall be clear."

Our Power and Power of our parents,
Let us make our lives holy
through deeds of justice, love and joy.
Let us make our part in the Torah.
Let us enjoy God's world
and rejoice in freedom.

May our prayers
open our eyes and expand our vision,
revealing your divine plan
whose path leads us all to the holy of holies.
May our heartfelt prayers be a conduit
swiftly carrying us to the time
when all Israel, all peoples, serve the divine plan.

May our eyes witness the return of Your Presence

to our lives, to Zion, and to the whole world.

Blessed are You, Source of blessings
awakening the world to your Presence
through our deeds of goodness.

We will continue to offer thanks
to the eternal One,
steadfast Source of strength
throughout all generations,
for our lives which rest in Your embrace,
for our souls which are in Your care,
for the miracles and wonders
which greet us day after day,

Allow me the grace to invite total forgiveness into my heart to wash away all that no longer serves.
Allow me to embrace life in love with all that is.

Allow me your light to radiate through me in a feast of forgiveness.

Allow me to be me.

Love, Mel