Yom Kippur 5782 — What is our Foreground?

Why is it we are defined by our past? Why do we obsess about the past? Our choices, our mistakes. We blame our parents for our emotional issues. We are critical of our bad habits, treating people badly, not looking after ourselves, or building connections with our spouse, children, or parents.

So, when these teachings came into my what’s app, it blew my mind.

As Reb Shlomo, relates why is it when we meet people or go for a job interview, we are asked:

What is your background?

We are defined by the past. We are stuck in the past. Most counselling is about the past.

So, instead of background, let’s change the narrative. And ask -

What is our foreground?

What do want to achieve in life?

Yes, we all have unique life experiences that we can use in the foreground.

We tend to use future when looking forward.

Future is time undefined. It is very vague. Foreground is immediate and focused.

So, I am proposing. Let’s us ask- what is our foreground?

How can make practical steps to look forward instead of backwards?

How can we make this switch in our hearts and minds?

Quoting from Phil Collett, the founder of https://www.goalsuk.org who has successfully run many programs on achieving your goals in life — In this he emphases:

“ Maintain an Attitude of Gratitude”

If anything, this period of the High Holidays is a time of gratitude and appreciation. Yes — the past is important, let’s be grateful (instead of looking negatively) -stop looking at the cup half empty, and let’s start looking at the cup half full. Let’s take this strength of gratitude for the blessing of life and use this energy to focus positively on goals in the foreground. I.e., Implying what is near, what is achievable — easy steps.

Here is the teaching of Reb Shlomo Carlebach on Yom Kippur

“A lot of people walk around constantly thinking about the past. There’s nothing to talk about the future. Everyone thinks that on Yom Kippur we are spending all day talking about the past. “I didn’t do this wrong, and I did this wrong.” But you know something? It’s not true. The truth is that on Yom Kippur I’m telling G-d what I’m going to do better next year.

I’m saying to G-d, “Remember last year I did this wrong, watch out, this year I’m going to do it right.” I’m not talking about the past, I’m just telling G-d that this year he will be proud of me.

Al Chet Shechatanu Lefanecha Belashon Hara. Last year I was talking Lashon Hara about somebody. Ribbono Shel Olam, this year you won’t believe it, you won’t even recognize me.

When I am interviewed by reporters, they always ask me about my background, and I always say, “Why do you ask about my background, why don’t you ask about my foreground?”

I bless you and me that we should all be sealed in the book of life for good!

Gmar Chatima Tova

When we say the El Cheits on Yom Kippur, let’s not over berate on the past, but let’s believe that we have the ability to change to make our foreground better.