Photo Credit: Chabad

Thoughts by a Christian on Yom Kippur -- Pondering Moses on the Mountaintop as He Prays for Forgiveness  

“And now she was back in the world, not one she could make, but the one that had made her, and she felt herself shrinking under the early evening sky. She was weary of being outdoors, but she was not ready to go in. Was that really all there was in life, indoors or out? Wasn't there somewhere else for people to go?”

― Ian McEwan, Atonement

An easy fast to all who worship on Yom Kippur.  To atone for a full day, while fasting -- we could all learn from a day-long confession of sins and the asking of forgiveness.  Whom have we wronged...whom have we neglected? Have we remained indoors while others were left out in the cold.  Kindness. Inherently we know what it is.  Those who are in touch with their own suffering often know best the importance of kindness.  In my mind's eye, a profound understanding for the need for compassion and community is one of the main benefits of one's own suffering - suffering exercises our soul brings us closer to a personal understanding of the deep need for delivering kindness to others.  Here is the best meditation on this that I have found: