To me the new moon of Elul is a signal to stop what I’m doing and reflect. It is a call to remember who I am and what I’ve done over the past year and, no matter how far I may have strayed from it, to start (or continue) the journey of return to my best self. Knowing that our imperfections are what make it possible for us to learn and grow allows me to cultivate compassion for myself and others. We are all doing the best we can to navigate the complexities of life.