At a recent gathering of community
leaders, I spoke about two approaches to life and to change: The traditional
rabbinic approach to Rosh Hashana, in which we feel remorse or guilt and work
to improve our actions vs. the wisdom of Thomas Leonard, a past leader in
personal and executive coaching who wrote “See how perfect the present really
is. Especially when it is clearly not.”
Where should we start with
the change we want in our lives, then: From a place in which we feel incomplete
or from a place in which we feel complete? According to the Chasidic leader
Simcha Bunim of Peshischa (1765–1827), we actually start in both places. He
spoke of how each person must have two pockets, with a note in each. When one
feels down and depressed, s/he should reach into the pocket for the note which
says "For my sake was the world created." [Mishna Sanhedrin]. And
when one feels above it all and haughty, s/he should reach into the other
pocket, and for the note: "I am but dust and ashes."[Genesis 18].
Both ideas represent truth,
and both represent our starting points at the High Holidays. We are strikingly
mortal. Yet at the same time, the world was created for each and every one of
us.
Our world and our lives
contain continuous challenge. We find ourselves riding a roller coast of ups
and downs: emotionally, financially, and often in our careers and
relationships. What the Hasidic story teaches is the need for balance. We
recognize our power and our limits, our strengths and our vulnerabilities. And
we use all of who we are to balance ourselves and to make ourselves, our
families, our communities and our world better in the year ahead.
May you and yours be blessed
with a shana tova u’metukah, a Happy and Sweet New Year,
The Notorious R.A.V.
Twitter: @JewishConnectiv
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