Tuesday, October 3, 2017

Time for reflection

The Jewish holidays, or holy days, in the fall are truly a time for reflection. In the 10 days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur we are encouraged to think back over the previous year, to ask forgiveness of those we have hurt or wronged, and to forgive those who have hurt or wronged us. About 4 years ago I stumbled across 10Q, an online site that every fall posts 10 days of reflective questions, one question a day. I liked it so much the first year that I have returned every year.

The questions start with asking you to reflect on the past year -- what are you proud of, what do you wish you had done differently, how do you feel about it? The later questions have you look ahead - what do you want to do differently, what is stopping you? You are free to answer as briefly or extensively as you wish, and to either make your answers public within the 10Q site or keep them private. When the 10 days end, you answer one last question and send your answers to the vault, where you cannot see them until next fall.

When I began 10Q-ing, I didn't realize that the 10Q experience is tied to the fall Jewish holidays, but it makes perfect sense. The questions guide one to think back and consider changes for the future. It is perfect for reflection about one's life. Anyone can 10Q, though; there is nothing religious about the site.

I have just sent my answers to the vault. This year's answers were not as optimistic as some other years'.  I'll see them in a year. I'm hoping the world looks brighter in a year.

"Do you 10Q?" www.doyou10q.com