This past weekend I spent with my future in-laws in Chicago
Although Pesach
Sheini has already passed I wanted to take the opportunity to share
something.
The following
piece I wrote about a year ago during a challenging time and feel it holds a
powerful and important message.
You’re Not Alone
(So
quit the self pitying and get hooked on a little faith!)
Why is pain so painful?
Seems like a pretty redundant question.
I mean it wouldn’t be called pain if it wasn’t painful, now would it?
But I beg to differ.
Pain is only as painful as you make it out to be. You are the one in control.
Chassidus could not have made that more clear.
Why is pain so painful?
Seems like a pretty redundant question.
I mean it wouldn’t be called pain if it wasn’t painful, now would it?
But I beg to differ.
Pain is only as painful as you make it out to be. You are the one in control.
Chassidus could not have made that more clear.
Simply
take a look at one of the most fundamental Chassidic concepts- “Moach Shalit Al
Halev.” ([The] mind rules the heart.)
What makes us as humans so unique and so special over every other one of G-d’s creations. Over animals, plants, and still life?
The fact that we have this incredibly brilliant power of the mind.
Seemingly one could think it’s the heart that is most powerful. After all it’s the vessel of all our emotions and feelings.
Don't get me wrong, having a heart is crucial.
I mean how mighty and powerful would the mind be had it nothing to rule?
A king is only as powerful as having subjects to reign over.
Knowing how powerful the heart is yet being told that the mind has the capacity to control such a force shows just how much mightier the brain actually is.
Contemplating, delving deep into, and truly understanding this concept of "Moach Shalit Al Halev" is pretty much the anchor to hold onto when one feels like they're being pulled into whirlpools of pain.
Something happens to you,
What makes us as humans so unique and so special over every other one of G-d’s creations. Over animals, plants, and still life?
The fact that we have this incredibly brilliant power of the mind.
Seemingly one could think it’s the heart that is most powerful. After all it’s the vessel of all our emotions and feelings.
Don't get me wrong, having a heart is crucial.
I mean how mighty and powerful would the mind be had it nothing to rule?
A king is only as powerful as having subjects to reign over.
Knowing how powerful the heart is yet being told that the mind has the capacity to control such a force shows just how much mightier the brain actually is.
Contemplating, delving deep into, and truly understanding this concept of "Moach Shalit Al Halev" is pretty much the anchor to hold onto when one feels like they're being pulled into whirlpools of pain.
Something happens to you,
Tragedy
hits your family.
A spouse loses their job.
You didn't get into the school of your choice.
Whatever it may be.
Your initial almost obvious reaction will be to give in to your emotions.
The weight of the pain so overbearing.
But that's where the problem lies, that’s where you go terribly wrong.
Instead, take that opportunity to seize control of your heart with your brain.
Understand and acknowledge that there is a bigger picture. One with millions of intricate details that you can't necessarily see.
No one’s telling you to understand how it is that this seemingly bad thing that's happened is for the good because if we'd actually understood that then we’d be G-d.
All you need to do is acknowledge that there IS in fact a bigger picture. And that we, with our limited understanding, are left with nothing but trust and faith that G-d, with his unlimited understanding, knows what he's doing and that ultimately it’s for our best.
Having true faith is a work in progress. You're constantly going to be tested and there will be times when you feel like a complete fool with no other option than giving up.
But hang in there- YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Every single person, on their own personal level, in their own personal way, struggles and experiences pain.
A spouse loses their job.
You didn't get into the school of your choice.
Whatever it may be.
Your initial almost obvious reaction will be to give in to your emotions.
The weight of the pain so overbearing.
But that's where the problem lies, that’s where you go terribly wrong.
Instead, take that opportunity to seize control of your heart with your brain.
Understand and acknowledge that there is a bigger picture. One with millions of intricate details that you can't necessarily see.
No one’s telling you to understand how it is that this seemingly bad thing that's happened is for the good because if we'd actually understood that then we’d be G-d.
All you need to do is acknowledge that there IS in fact a bigger picture. And that we, with our limited understanding, are left with nothing but trust and faith that G-d, with his unlimited understanding, knows what he's doing and that ultimately it’s for our best.
Having true faith is a work in progress. You're constantly going to be tested and there will be times when you feel like a complete fool with no other option than giving up.
But hang in there- YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
Every single person, on their own personal level, in their own personal way, struggles and experiences pain.
I
saw an interesting quote somewhere once and it really struck me: “To one who
has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is
possible.”
What
better Yom Tov to discuss faith than Pesach Sheini?
After
all this is the holiday all about faith and second chances and who doesn’t love
a second chance!?
How
sad those Jews felt when they couldn’t celebrate the Korbon Pesach with their
fellow brethren due to their impurity. Hashem heard their complaints and
reassured them there’d be a second chance and so on the 14th of
Iyar we celebrate what is now known as Pesach Sheini.
Nowadays
we commemorate this unique and special holiday by eating Matzah, bread of
“faith” as it is commonly referred to.
How
is it that Matzah symbolizes faith?
As
opposed to regular bread, Matzah has no oil, honey or other ingredients
enhancing it. It consists of only flour and water as well as we make sure to
not let it rise. Correspondingly, the only “ingredients” for faith are humility
and submission to G-d. How is such faith achieved? By recognizing our
“nonbeing” when compared with the immeasurable greatness of Hashem.
I
have a simple method for upholding and preserving my faith.
Simple, yet so effective.
I call it my "Happiness Mission."
There are so many things in life that make me happy.
My family.
Friends.
Nice weather.
A good read.
A pleasant tune.
A yummy recipe.
The list goes on and on.
Whenever those feelings of irritation, melancholy, hopelessness start creeping in I stop myself and take a deep breath. Then I choose one, sometimes two things from my "list" and just think about them.
People are so quick to judge, complain and grouch about life that seldom do they stop and appreciate the endless good in our lives.
Guaranteed, no matter how bad you think your life is if you had to make a list of the positive and negative, the good would outweigh the bad with flying colors.
Simple, yet so effective.
I call it my "Happiness Mission."
There are so many things in life that make me happy.
My family.
Friends.
Nice weather.
A good read.
A pleasant tune.
A yummy recipe.
The list goes on and on.
Whenever those feelings of irritation, melancholy, hopelessness start creeping in I stop myself and take a deep breath. Then I choose one, sometimes two things from my "list" and just think about them.
People are so quick to judge, complain and grouch about life that seldom do they stop and appreciate the endless good in our lives.
Guaranteed, no matter how bad you think your life is if you had to make a list of the positive and negative, the good would outweigh the bad with flying colors.
It’s all in your hands, its all about YOUR perspective. You want
change in your life, you feel like you're a monotonous robot living your life
by rote? Well guess what- NONE of that is going to change unless YOU change it
and that's pretty much as simple as it is.
We
celebrate birthdays.
Anniversaries.
Yomim Tovim.
We're constantly commemorating all the big things.
But what about the small things?
Those seemingly trivial moments that rush by us all too fast.
All too fast because we’re so busy focusing on the next big thing.
Ever stop to just breathe in fresh air.
Stop to smile at a homeless man and watch as you make his day.
Wholeheartedly enjoy the company of a friend whom you talk to or see all the time.
So many beautiful moments in life that just don't get enough credit for we're far too busy focusing on the big moments.
Between juggling careers, relationships, family and just life in general things can get pretty hectic.
But remember, you’re only living life once.
There’s only going to be one Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 that you’ll subsist.
So make every minute of that day worth living.
All it really takes is a smile, or one kind word, that can make a world of a difference. o
Anniversaries.
Yomim Tovim.
We're constantly commemorating all the big things.
But what about the small things?
Those seemingly trivial moments that rush by us all too fast.
All too fast because we’re so busy focusing on the next big thing.
Ever stop to just breathe in fresh air.
Stop to smile at a homeless man and watch as you make his day.
Wholeheartedly enjoy the company of a friend whom you talk to or see all the time.
So many beautiful moments in life that just don't get enough credit for we're far too busy focusing on the big moments.
Between juggling careers, relationships, family and just life in general things can get pretty hectic.
But remember, you’re only living life once.
There’s only going to be one Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 that you’ll subsist.
So make every minute of that day worth living.
All it really takes is a smile, or one kind word, that can make a world of a difference. o
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