Do you feel like you really messed it all up?
Have you been totally out of it?
Just not feeling it?
Don't despair!
Please check out the following...
Going into Shabbat Shuvah with the appropriate mindset can change everything for you.
For a summary of the basics, please see last year's post:
The Netivot Shalom on Doing Deep-Rooted Teshuvah by Utilizing Shabbat as the Day of Love
It's vital to both realize AND internalize the idea that on Rosh Hashanah, you became a new creation.
Literally.
In other words, you are LITERALLY NOT the same person you were 6 days ago (or whenever you happen to be reading this post).
In fact, NOTHING in the Universe is what it was—EVERYTHING was renewed on Rosh Hashanah.
This opens up a whole new world for you.
In the above post, the Netivot Shalom also discusses what to do if you "missed out" on Elul, Rosh Hashanah, the 10 Days of Teshuvah, etc.
What if you just didn't get your act together?
It's not too late! Don't despair!
You can use this Shabbat (which Netivot Shalom also calls "Day of the Neshamah") for spiritual revitalization WITHOUT cheshbon hanefesh.
As part of Hashem's Great Chessed & Compassion, Shabbat is your shortcut to teshuvah.
Just read the above post before Shabbat—or if you have the book, you can read his words directly.
What he writes also applies to every Shabbat, so even if you mess up or miss out on this Shabbat, just pick yourself up again & try to apply it the next Shabbat.
As the Netivot Shalom states:
"One moment from Shabbat is more important than many, many hours of the weekday."
What if you feel there's no point in flying up—only to crash & burn...yet again?
And...what if (gulp!) you've even worse than you were before? (It happens.)
Is there any hope? Is there any point?
YES!
Please read this short post on the Netivot Shalom addressing this very issue:
What is the Point of Doing Teshuvah Yet Again When You've Already Failed So Many Times – And Maybe Your Sin Really is Too Much This Time?
May we all merit to do complete teshuvah from love.