We are celebrating Rosh Hashannah, the Jewish new year. In this time, we reflect upon the year behind us and the year we have ahead of us.
This has been a tumultuous year. Not simply because we moved across the world- again. But on a larger level, the world feels like it’s in a different space than it once was. A little less safe. Less secure. Less promising.
In this space of thought, during the sermon, an interesting distinction was made: should we be optimistic about the future or hopeful?
The rabbi defined optimistic as wishing for a happy ending. Whereas, she proclaimed hopeful as realizing our part in making it a happy ending.
So I leave you with this question, at the beginning of this new year: are you hopeful or optimistic about your next chapter? The decision is yours.