Today, StrategyOne released a report about a recent survey finding Two Thirds of Americans expect double-dip recession, brace for second hit worse than the first. The report noted

Almost half see America’s ‘best days’ behind us, 7 in 10 concerned country is ‘fundamentally broken and not working’

Soon after I read this, I read a message on a mailing list of psychotherapists where one of the old curmudgeons wrote about the illusion of new beginnings in response to various emails wishing the readers "Leshana Tova Tekatev v'etachetem - May you be inscribed for a sweet and good year!" Besides questioning whether the marking of a new year was new beginning he went on to complain about services resembling fashion shows filled with gossip about adultery.

In response to this, I wrote a message to the group, an edited version of which I am posting here:

I've looked at life from both sides now
from win and lose and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall
I really don't know life at all.

To me, the change of the calender is an opportunity for a new beginning. It is a reminder to me to seek what is better. Fortunately, we have the Jewish calendar, the Western calendar, the Lunar calendar, and many other calendars to give us this opportunity. For that matter, each trip to the therapist is an opportunity for a new beginning, a chance to look, yet again, at the patterns of our lives that might be holding us back or making our lives or the lives of those around us less pleasant.

Actually, each morning is also an opportunity for a new beginning. To borrow from the Tao of Pooh: Piglet and Pooh are discussing what they do first thing every morning. Pooh wonders whats for breakfast. Piglet wonders what new and exciting thing is going to happen. Pooh observes that they are the same thing.

Then, I think of great dance and movement teachers who have reminded me that each breath in is an opportunity for a new beginning.

As to services, not being Jewish, I've never been to a Rosh Hashanah service. I suspect they are a bit different than funeral services, but I will use funeral services as a proxy for understanding. I remember years ago I told my daughter, who was about three or four at the time, that we were going to a family reunion. She looked quizzically at me and asked, "Who died?" It was a poignant reminder how important it is to gather with distant friends and extended family for more than just funerals.

While I might not enjoy the fashion show and gossip about adultery at some services, I savor the opportunity to reconnect with people that are important to me. As a side note, we have new neighbors that happen to be Jewish. They asked us for information about the different Synagogues in our neighborhood. All we could do was suggest they talk with some friends of ours who are Jewish and the result is that our neighbors ended up going to dinner at our friends' house last night; another connection established, strengthening our community.

As to the hopes? Well, while I would love to see war cease and health improve, mine is a simpler hope. It is hope that somewhere, sometime, someone will read a few of my words and smile; perhaps even my curmudgeon friend on the mailing list. Of course, I hang on to my idealism and think about Robert Kennedy and his comment about sending out tiny ripples of hope that cross each other and "build a current than can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance"

No, I really don't know life at all, but I do hope that everyone regardless of religious affiliations have a sweet and good year no matter what the economy does.