Getting Organized! by guest blogger Chana Rachel Schusterman

The Power of Using our G-d Given Talents (and Helping Our Children Recognize Theirs.)

There are twelve months in the Jewish calendar.  The talent of ORGANIZATION is the sixth, corresponding to the month of Elul (August - September.)

For people who have this talent, it is essential that life has a sense of order.  This order  allows them to take action to reach their potential.  Excellent tools for the utilization of this talent are lists, a personal calendar and planned systems.  Having an organized space in which to live and work gives a sense of tranquility. This peace of mind allows them to take charge of daily life in a purposeful way. Utilizing this talent, a person can be like a  CEO who knows where the company is headed, how to get there and how to be on top of the details needed to make it succeed. This person knows how to throw away what doesn’t work in order to make space for what is needed. He / she  loves to grow and develop and is not afraid to fix what is broken or begin anew.

We can be role models to our children by helping them to feel organized. We can let them know the plan when we go out together.  If we see that they thrive on knowing what’s next, we can help them to feel orderly by making their own lists. By being calm when they make a mess, we can encourage them to trust their ability to fix it and have the courage to create their own method of organization.  

Tools For Developing Your Sense of Organization:

1.  Make lists and check off what you have accomplished.
2.  Throw away what doesn’t work in order to make room for what does work.
3.  Never be depressed.  Believe that you can fix the mistakes you have made.
4.  Be willing to let go of old habits that are not positive.  Work on yourself to grow.

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The Kabalah of Organization:

The talent of Organization represents the ability to fix or develop ourselves and our relationships.  The ability to be a good manager includes a magnetic sense of what to draw close and when to let go.  

The month of Elul is the last month of the year which beginning with Tishrei (whose first day is Rosh HaShanah, the anniversary of the creation of man).  At the beginning of the year, we make resolutions on how we will connect with G-d and accomplish our purpose in the world.  When we come to Elul, we need to take stock of the year that has almost ended. We utilize this last month to fix our mistakes and reconnect with G-d in preparation for the coming new year. During this month, G-d shines his qualities of  love and mercy into the world. This strengthens our ability to prepare for the new year.  The letters of the name ELUL have many meanings in Hebrew.  The one that is most well known is Ani L’Dodi, V’Dodi LI.  (I am my Beloved’s, and my Beloved is mine.)

The tribe connected with this month and talent is Gad.

Chana Rachel Schusterman is a Jewish spiritual counselor and coach. If you would like to contact her, please email me at Jewishmontessori18@gmail.com.