Meliss Jakubovic's 2021 Rosh Hashanah Message

It’s another year, another opportunity to self-evaluate, another chance to practice gratitude for who I am becoming, the relationships that I have held on to and formed, and the things that surround me that bring me joy.

For some of us, this year has been a challenging one. I lost someone very close to me in June and it still feels surreal. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve picked up the phone to call her only to realize that we will never speak on the phone again.

I believe that with every challenge there is a hidden opportunity, and it is upon us to recognize it and make the most of it. How can you find an opportunity through grief? Or pain? Or loss? Or uncertainty? Or regret?

The truth is there is a lesson in everything and when we experience things again and again, it is the Universe/G-d’s way of letting us know that we still haven’t learned that lesson and we have some work to do.

The opportunity I want to share with you as we move into this next year is that you always have the power to choose. Do you stay or do you go? Do you rise above or do you spiral into the ugly waters? Do you stand up for what you believe in or do you follow the crowd? Do you exude confidence or self-doubt? Do you fight or do you forgive? Do you lift others up or put them down?

No matter what you are going through, remember that we have only one life to live, and it is here and now. Be in the present moment and ask yourself, “will this really matter in 5 years?”

We all go through challenging times. But the opportunity is in how you handle these circumstances. Don’t take moments for granted. Instead, experience these moments with total gratitude and acknowledge to yourself how special this present moment is while it is happening.

Reflect on the positives in your life. That will attract more positives to you.

When we focus on our challenges, our worries, anxieties, fears, we only repel what we desire even more. Don’t think about yesterday or even who you are right now. Show up as the person you are becoming and start to form that new mold of this person. This moment forward is your opportunity to make any changes that you see for yourself.

The thing is, everything you want to be, do, and have is already here. You just have to show up as the person who is ready to receive it and then you will start to notice how great things really are.

Shana Tova. May this year bring you ease, comfort, love, joy, passion, excitement, and a new look on how you want to move through this world. Show up as your higher self and see things fall into place.

Meliss Jakubovic is an online marketing strategist to coaches and healers, and an Israeli folk dance instructor.