The college football season begins this weekend. And here in South Bend, that means Notre Dame. This community seems to be focused on opening weekend all year: looking forward to it, or back upon it. In some ways, ND football dominates life around town, especially on home game weeks: hotels and restaurants are overbooked, retail shopping spikes, the traffic becomes heavier and frustrating. I've heard estimates that an additional 100,000+ people descend on the area *each* home weekend.
And we also know that every game is a vital opportunity, beyond the outcome of the game. The local economy benefits, there's an enthusiastic buzz in the air, people are genuinely more interested in those around them.
With the conclusion of Elul in a few days, we are coming toward the beginning of yet a different new season. Like fall football, the holy days will bring its own set of pageantry and excitement. Maybe not shiny new helmets, end zone dances and hopes to make a bowl game - yet Rosh HaShanah will certainly kick off a time of hopes for the future, long overdue chances to greet and embrace loved ones and friends, and surely even show off a nice outfit or two along the way.
The possibilities of such renewed beginnings are not reserved just for *big* times like the Yamim Nora'im or the opening of a sports season. We can bring this buzz into the new experiences we find each and every day.
For Elul 25:
Begin: Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.
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