Even though repentance and pleading for forgiveness are always appropriate, they are even more appropriate in the ten days between New Year and the Day of Atonement, when they are accepted immediately, as it is written, "Seek Hashem while He may be found" etc. (Rambam Hilchos Teshuva 2:6)

The fact that Hashem is close to us during this special time period is a tremendous gift and opportunity but it also carries with it an awesome responsibility.

"When R. Zera had any complaint against any man, he would repeatedly pass by him,showing himself to him giving him the opportunity come forth. Rav once had a complaint against a certain butcher, and when on the eve of the Day of Atonement he still did not come to him, he said: l shall go to him to pacify him. R. Huna met him and asked: Where are you going, Sir? He said, To pacify So-and-so. He thought: "Abba (Rav) is about to cause this person's death." He went there and remained standing before him as he was sitting and chopping an animal's head. The butcher raised his eyes and said "You are Abba (Rav), go away. I will have nothing to do with you." While he was chopping the head, a bone flew off, struck his throat, and killed the butcher."(Yoma 87a)

Rav Yisrael Slanter explains:

"if a man will still harden his heart and spirit, and withhold himself from repenting even on Yom Kippur - which is the time of pardon and forgiveness for the people of Israel - he is conducting himself like the butcher who said to Rav, "Go away, I will have nothing to do with you," Heaven forbid. If the sin of the butcher against Rav was so severe, then how much more severe it is if a human being sins in this way against the Supreme King of kings, HaKadosh Baruch Hu. How enormous is his sin, how terrible his accountability, and how awful his punishment will be. How frightening is this concept to one who thinks about it deeply." etc.

"In reference to this, the prophet said, "Seek Hashem when He can be found, call upon Him when He is near. Let the wicked man depart from his path ... and let him return to Hashem..." (Yeshayahu 55:6-7). Chazal explain, "These are the ten days that are between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur." (Rosh Hashana 18a) The intention of this statement is not to show that during these days HaKadosh Baruch Hu is found and close and so these days are more appropriate for repentance and prayer, thereby making them a good and beautiful time to seek Hashem and for the wicked man to depart from his path. Rather, the intention is to elucidate that during these days when He is found and close, man's obligation to seek Hashem is increased, as is the wicked man's obligation to depart from his path.

Rabbi Eliyahu Dessler quotes a similar idea:

Rosh Hashanah provides an opportunity for far-reaching and fateful choice. The purpose of an annual day of judgment is to rivet our attention for once on the fact that we are subject to judgment. We have been given a task and we are responsible to God for the way we have carried it out. The whole atmosphere of Rosh Hashanah, the solemnity of the day, the prayers, the shofar blast - all attempt to arouse us from our wonted stupor. We are given a matchless opportunity to think seriously about ourselves and to take appropriate action.

But all this presents us with a fateful decision. If we allow Rosh Hashanah to arouse us in the ways described, we can effect a drastic change in our entire attitude. This could bring us to an elevated level (madrega) with far-reaching effects in our lives. If, however, we deafen our ears and deaden our hearts to the call of Rosh Hashanah, our situation will be much worse than before. The heart which has resisted G-d's call on Rosh Hashanah will be less and less likely to respond to any such call in the future. If this has been one's choice, permanent damage to one's spiritual being may be the result. So in a sense it is Rosh Hashanah that judges us.

This is it! Either we make it or we break it. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity to reach new heights.

Have a truly sweet year!!

Thank-you for your help. May your efforts too- on this year succeed and bear fruit.