People always want to know why teshuva--repentance- is so difficult. After all, if Hashem is really desirious of our returning to Him, shouldn't it be relatively easy? What does it take to start praying on a daily basis, or keep kosher, or become Shabbat observant? Well, the same could be said as to losing weight. How much does it take to lose 30 pounds? Just cut out some meals or at least use portion control and/or exercise and watch the pounds melt away. Oh, if it was only so easy! In reality it is, but the results take time. Pounds don't fall off overnight, regardless of how much one exercises or starves oneself. Similarly, returning to Hashem and the Torah doesn't happen overnight regardless of how much studying or praying one does in a day. Rather both religiousity and weight loss take time and patience. It's true that one must start the process a.s.a.p. but if one expects results overnight, all one is doing is setting oneself up for failure. That may be why Hashem gave us the whole month of Elul to strengthen our resolve to do teshuva thus readying ourselves for Rosh Hashanah. Well, let's try and beat the rush and begin to do teshuva today! The earlier we begin the process, the further along we will be in Tishrei and thus have a more meaningful holiday season. And if we lose those unwanted pounds, the turkey will be all the more delicious!