Teshuva(h) is part of the Hebrew calendar.To return to your personal and religious roots is what teshuva means.The process begins when you identify your sins and consider their effects on others.You approach injured people and ask for forgiveness.You will develop a plan to avoid those same sins in the future.
Step 1: You have committed wrong acts.
When you consider your past actions, you can come up with a mental list of your sins.You tell God that the actions were not in line with his plan.If you want to recount sins or focus on a wrong act, you can try to catalog them.If you admit that you drink too much, it will affect your career and family life.
Step 2: The deeper cause of any sins should be investigated.
Most people act out negatively because of something deeper that is going on inside of them.Give yourself some time to think about why you are doing certain things.What is the connection between it and your past?What are you getting out of it?It's easier to direct them to a positive outcome if you know the undercurrents.If you are an only child and used to a degree of privacy, you could be fighting with your roommate.
Step 3: It's a good idea to watch out for trivializing or projecting out your sins.
You will never be able to truly achieve remorse or redemption for your sins if you trivialize them.If you find yourself thinking that everyone else does this, then you should step back and rethink.If you blame your negative behaviors on someone else, that's the same thing.You are playing a blame game if you say she angered me first.
Step 4: You should feel remorse for your actions.
You should connect with your feelings for how your actions have impacted other people after you realize what you have done is harmful.You might feel sad or angry because you have behaved in a certain way.Let's acknowledge these feelings.It's important that you don't stay paralyzed by your feelings of remorse.Do not use them to push you into action.
Step 5: Be realistic about your teshuva goals.
It is admirable to want to eliminate a bad behavior, but it may not be realistic.If you want to address each piece individually, break down your sin into pieces.If you have decided to stop drinking alcohol, the first thing you should do is remove all alcohol from your home.
Step 6: In an obvious spot, post your written resolutions.
To keep yourself on the straight-and-narrow, write down your goals on a piece of paper.To keep it simple, just include 5 objectives.You will see this paper on a regular basis, so place it on your refrigerator.Positive changes are part of your daily life.You can put this list on the top of your desk calendar.I will no longer drink alcohol.
Step 7: Allow certain steps of the teshuva process to happen naturally.
You may feel more connected to certain parts of the process as you progress through it.It is possible to embrace the process of apologizing, but not be sure about the root causes of your actions.It is okay to circle back around to your weakest points and spend more time on them.
Step 8: If you have harmed anyone, offer an apology.
It is okay to skip this step if a sin only affects you.Most sins have some sort of damage to other people.If you have hurt other people, confess your guilt as part of teshuva.This will allow them to forgive you.Accept their decision if they don't forgive you.They need to keep working to earn forgiveness in the future.
Step 9: Talk to God in whichever way you please.
There is no right or wrong time to speak with God or to address your need for improvement.You can send a letter to God.You have the ability to speak out loud.You can communicate with God by talking to others.You can think about how to change.It's a good idea to express your regrets out loud.You could say to God, "I'm deeply sorry for what I've done."
Step 10: Talk to your religious leaders.
For a private meeting, seek them out.Ask any questions you have about the teshuva process.They want you to have a closer relationship with God, so they will help you if they can.They will like you if you are honest about your concerns.
Step 11: Stay focused on improvement after the teshuva period.
Embracing the true spirit of teshuva means trying to rein in and acknowledge your behaviors throughout the year, not just for a few days.If you agree not to commit the same sins again, this is a promise that will last for the rest of your life, even if it isn't convenient.
Step 12: You need to hold yourself accountable for slip ups.
If you fall into bad behaviors for a day, then start over.Don't give up, you will make a few mistakes along the way.You can see these moments as tests of your determination.Ask your friends and family to help keep you on track.If you missed a work-out because you kept up your fitness regimen, you might want to do more the next day.
Step 13: Practice forgiveness as well.
God forgives your past actions after you admit your sins and commit to avoiding them in the future.Forgiveness must be earned through your dedication to improvement.teshuva shows that if you are wronged, you should consider forgiveness as well.
Step 14: Resist the exact same sin to achieve teshuva gemura.
Not everyone has this opportunity, but avoiding a sin that you have admitted to in the past is a sign of great strength and something to be proud of.Many people who have experienced teshuva gemura will talk about it with others, so that they can serve as a model.