Sweetness Leading Us Forward

At the end of the Yom Kippur service, there is a Havdalah ceremony which includes smelling aromatic spices. The idea is to take in the sweetness of the holiday that has just passed, in order to bring it into the rest of our week. Scents can be powerful triggers for memories of what has been physically or emotionally nourishing to us in the past, or not nourishing.

To some extent, we can choose which memories to focus on.  Consider which are not important any more.  We can harvest any wisdom and then turn our attention away from the memories that no longer serve us. 

​On the other hand, what memories from the past strengthen us? When feeling down, we can remember and be inspired by our past successes. Have you had love? Then you know how and you can create more. Have you made peace in the past? Then know you can do it again. 

Let’s take courage from what was good in the past, inhale that sweet fragrance, and bring it into our present and our future. May the aroma of our sweet and enriching experiences bring us peace and give us hope for what can be.