All Our Grudges: An Alternative Kol Nidrei

All grudges, resentments, and vows of vengence and bitterness, 

All undying hatreds or annoyances that we may hold onto

Or talk endlessly about, boring our friends,

Or lose sleep obsessing over

Or write bad poetry about

Or bring up at family dinners to the consternation of all present;

From the previous Day of Atonement until this Day of Atonement

For the benefit of our mental health

And the peace of mind of all who surround us;

Regarding all of this that we have refused to let go,

Despite the fact that they are long past

Or pointless

Or one-sided

Or ridiculous

Or destructive of the innocent

Or hurting ourselves more than anyone else;

Regarding all of them, these intrusions on the Holy Wholeness,
we repudiate them.

All of them, we let them go,

Give up

Wave away

Acknowledge as stupid

Declare null and void
Because we are done.

Our grudges are no longer our grudges,

Our silent resentments are no longer silent,

Our eternal vows of vengence are no more.

The entire community acknowledges and takes action

So that everyone we have been angry at is forgiven,

Every hurt we did not speak about will be dealt with,

Every relative will be loved for who they are rather than who they are not,

Every change in the world that needs to be made will be made rather than contemplated.

Holy Wholeness!

We need help to step back into connection with the One.

We look for the compassion and mercy

That is always there

If we but pay attention.

Yes, there it is.
We are forgiven?

Blessed be the One-ness, 

Creator, Created, Creating.

Amen

Art by Mike Cockrill