Sefirat HaOmer

When people look forward to something, they usually make a countdown.
For example: When you’re really excited to be finishing the school year you count down the days until the end, crossing off each day as you go along. (Right now I am currently 6 days away from graduating Seminary!) When one day finishes it is as if it is meaningless and it seems as though it never existed at all.

The Sefira is the total opposite...

We look forward to Shavuot – the time of matan Torah (Giving of the Torah) – but we do not count down. We count each day as it comes, and never forget the days that have passed. For example – after 8 days you count 1 week and 1 day – still mentioning the past 7 days even though they are over. Each day is remembered and counts toward the end of the journey.

Each day is meaningful in the Sefira.
The Sefira is a time for tikkun middot (fixing our character traits.) - We fix our character traits, our behaviors, our way of thinking – We better ourselves in all aspects of our lives.

Because of the meaning behind each day of the Sefira, each day is important.
We remember each day on this journey towards matan Torah because it is important to remember where you are coming from when you embark on such a spiritual journey.

Therefore, each day of the Sefira counts towards something – they are tiny steps on your journey towards completion.

Everyday matters.