It's an appropriate title because that's exactly what the Jewish New Year is all about.

These High Holidays focus on reflection and inspection of one's inner self. It is the one time of year where I stop everything in my daily life, simply sit and look back on the last 12 months. I know I would never take the time to do this on a weekend, at night or even on a vacation. But during the holidays when I am listening to the chanting of the Torah and my thoughts start to wander, that yearly review becomes part of the ritual.

I don't feel guilty about mentally drifting, because it's actually encouraged as part of the process of teshuvah, repentance. I can't do that without rewinding the year to think about what I could have done better.

The thought process is quite routine in nature so I appreciated the handout even more, because it included a list of questions that steered me deeper.

The first question on the list was, "What brought me the most joy over the past year?" This was followed by, "What brought me the most pain over the past year? What do I regret not doing over this past year? Who did I hurt during the year, and how can I make up for what I have done? What are my goals in life, and what I am doing to achieve them?" There were several more but that gave me plenty to reflect upon.

You don't have to be Jewish to think about these questions. And, I don't think you need to celebrate a religious holiday to ponder the answers. I think these are the kind of questions we all should be asking ourselves at least once a year. It also gets one thinking about what may lie ahead. Each year I make a promise to myself to practice more patience at home and at work. I make a promise to myself to keep my priorities straight by being less of a consumer and more of a contributor to our planet. I also make a pact with myself to try and take time to slow down from life's daily grind and reflect a little more about the greater good.

I start out with good intentions, but my follow-through leaves much to be desired. So I am grateful that I have another year to try. This is one of the things that makes this holiday so wonderful. I always have another chance to do better.

I think this philosophy can be implemented by anyone of us no matter what our faith. None of us should ever feel that his or her actions result in all or nothing. I believe we become far wiser if we learn from our mistakes and then, when the opportunity arrives, allow ourselves the chance to make amends.

With this in mind, I was struck while perusing through a magazine, by something Abraham Lincoln wrote. It absolutely defines what the Jewish High Holidays emphasize.

Lincoln wrote, "In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

Which brings me to the last question on the list: "If I could change one thing about myself, what would it be?" That was the toughest question of all because there are a number of things I would like to improve. I haven't answered the question yet, but Lincoln's words have got me thinking not just about the future, but about how my decision will impact the past and present as well.

Moryt Milo is the editor of The Willow Glen Resident. She can be contacted at 400.200.1051 or mmilo@community-newspapers.com.