Winds of Change

Do you want to change?
How do you do it?
I've heard of inspiring, motivational speakers who 'change people's lives'.
But I wonder: Can anybody really change your life?
No. Only YOU can change your own life.
The door to character transformation opens from the inside.
When I change, it's because I have made a conscious choice to break, and reconfigure,  my life's patterns.
So who needs a motivational speaker?
We all do.
Why?
Because we're not always ready for strenuous character building.
We can't even get ourselves to look for the door, let alone open it.
But when someone paints a convincing picture of your need to grow, and shows you how it's possible to reach your potential, you're inspired to pursue the work of change.
So the motivational speaker plays an important role. He sets the stage, rouses my conscience and shows me the steps.
But that's as far as he can go.
In the play of my life, I need to do the acting.
Yet the external factors play an important role too. For me, a sunny, beautiful day creates more emotional availability than a rainy one. When you are welcomed warmly into a synagogue, when you feel like you belong, you may find yourself more open to a transformative spiritual experience.
Yes, change is in your hands. But setting means a lot.
This weekend, we open a season – a setting – of internal change. The Hebrew month of Elul begins on Saturday evening, and Elul is a month devoted to character improvement.
It's a daunting task, but G-d, our loving 'motivational cheerleader', encourages and prompts us toward self-betterment.
We blow the shofar every day of this month; and when we hear the call of that ram's horn, we hear the inspiring echo of the Divine, urging us to align ourselves with our wonderful potential.
And if we pay attention, there's something in the air.
The breeze you feel is urging the rustling of your soul. The sun's blaze is beckoning your inner potential to shine forth.
So the stage will be set.
But it's up to us to act.