Rosh Hashanah

New Year celebrations of various cultures have always fascinated me, and yet somehow I had never read up on Rosh Hashanah until tonight....I looked it up this eve because a dorm-mate came to my room with apple slices and honey for me, wishing me a Happy New Year (She is not Jewish but her roommate and our mutual friend is).  I was confused for a moment, so looked up what was going on.

The site I found seems pretty good: How is Rosh Hashanah Observed?

Some of these traditions seem really neat. Anything involving food of course always manages to catch my eye...hence the apples and honey intriguing me. Another part that I really would like to know more about is the casting of sins into the water. Transformation as we go into a new year. I like that, and it does seem to be a common New Year tradition in one way or another in each version I study.

Much food for thought tonight there.

So, to all my Jewish friends and readers: Leshanah tovah tikateiv veteichateim!

So where is this blog going? What is this all about?

I suppose these must be the two most commonly asked questions of a new blogger--both from their readers, and to themselves. I know I have been thinking long and hard about this, myself.  At first I planned for this to be just a journal of sorts, a way for me to record the personal journey I am. Which is great for me, but what does it offer to my readers? (Aside, I hope, from inspiration.)

I had a few ideas and threw them at a friend of mine this evening to see if it sounded good. She's done this all before, been a blogger and all, and I was looking for her input. To my surprise, it seemed to make more sense to her than it did to me! So here's what I envision for the Lunar Road:

*A place for inspiring stories of personal journeys, self love (no not THAT kind of self love, get your mind out of the gutter!) and self awareness. These would be from several sources: Real People, Fictional Characters, my own stories, myths, allegories....

"So you're going to be another "Chicken Soup for the Soul" type of blog?"

No....there's more dear reader, I promise!

*Healthful living. Part of self love and self respect is taking care of yourself. No fads, no gimmicks...just healthy living tips, advice, articles, whatever comes up. This may include things like how to handle situtations where the foods you need (be it for a health reason like myself or just a personal choice) are not available for long periods of time. You know, like when your diet is limited due to the fact you live in a dorm and have to eat what is served--which would be what I'm going through currently.

I'm not going to preach about my own diet or anything like that...just share insight on what I learn along the way. My own diet is far from ideal, even for my own health issues.

*Tips to help you along your own journey to self awareness, respect, and love. Not just from me but articles, book reviews, and possibly guest bloggers!

*Spirituality. There is more to this word than religion and I will attempt to focus on that rather than on religion itself. If I offend anyone with my statements on this subject I am sorry, honestly. I do not mean to, everyone's path is their own. For me this includes things like Yoga and Meditation, both of which will more than likely be featured.


Quote:   When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.  I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.  When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town.  I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.  Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family.  My family and I could have made an impact on our town.  Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.  ~Author Unknown

Rolemodels and Mentors...Moving on

Orriginally posted (by me) here: 

http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=101460789963009


9/20/11

((WARNING: TIM BURTON'S "Alice in Wonderland" SPOILERS AHEAD)

I have a habit of finding "Spirit Guides" in the oddest places. For the last several months, my guide has been Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. In particular Alice's growth throughout the movie--from a somewhat timid girl letting her family guide her every movement, to the woman who faces the jaberwokey and then says goodbye to her friends to return home and become a truely independant woman.  I, in many ways, have been on that journey myself this summer...and soon it will be time for me to leave Wonderland and return to the real world.

Alice and her friends will always be with me, of course, reminding me that all of the best people are entirely bonkers, that I still have my muchness, and that the impossible can always be true. 

But just as movies end, so my time in Wonderland--or in my case YNP-- is drawing to a close. I have, for the most part, defeated my personal Jaberwokies, Banished my Red Queens, and am prepared to take the reins of my life firmly in hand. 

Durring all of this (and due to something a friend said around the same time) I became the White Rabbit to my bff's Dormouse. (As far as nicknames go at least). The white rabbit became the symbol for who I was, and Alice for who I wanted to become. 

I'm sure I will find a new guide before long here. I can feel Alice backing off as I reach the goals she was leading me to. I don't know yet who or what my next inspiration will be, but I can't wait to see where this next stage of my journey leads!