Wouldn’t it be great if we had the roadmap of life in front of us, knowing where we were supposed to go, when to make a turn and when to recognize we had fulfilled what it is we are here to fulfill? Life would be much simpler, though I would guess it would also become too boring. When everything is predictable, we tend to stop trying because we pretty much know the results.
I am always thinking about the road I am traveling on, wondering if I have read the road signs along the way to know if my decisions were in line with how the story of my life is to play out. While at times I, and I assume most of us, have taken side roads and exit ramps to different areas, we inevitably seem to be drawn back to some sort of main path. Of course, we know what we want, or try to establish what we want, yet often what we want and what we live are not one and the same. Part of this is the reality of not just being on an individual road but a road with each other, reacting to the world around us. And part of this is because perhaps what we want is not our purpose, our reason for being. Recently, I came across an idea that has me reconsidering how we should be looking ahead on our personal roads.
There is an important, fundamental idea in avodas Hashem (serving Gd) that the tachlis, the ultimate purpose (of the world, and of a person in this world as well) is constantly hidden from a person. This is because a person should constantly yearn and long for the tachlis. The tachlis is never clearly revealed to a person; what is revealed is only the closest next level to a person ( that they need to and can reach). Similarly, at all times (through every particular detail of life a person goes through), only the next small step is revealed to a person. However, a person’s “next level,” the one in reach of him, is not revealed. Therefore, people are often confused about what the tachlis is, and aren’t clear as to what the ultimate level they need to achieve is. But, in reality, a person doesn’t need to know more than this – just knowing the next level they need to get to is enough for our avodah (following this is the closest one can get to the tachlis).
Sea of Wisdom, Parashat Va’Era 5784 – R. Yitzchak Meir Morgenstern
Faith (Emunah) is one of the most difficult things to cultivate and experience (I discuss some of this in a recent post). Faith is something we must actively work on and actively cultivate. We cannot just sit and wait. Part of this process is being open to recognizing that while we might not know where we are headed, we can see small glimmers of the road ahead. Faith is also realizing that we will only ever see small glimmers of the road ahead and that we must have the confidence to move forward nevertheless because the path will reveal itself over time. Faith is maintaining the hope we will be able to discern what we are seeing and know how best to approach the next stretch of road.
Looking to start fresh? If you or someone you know is looking to forge ahead and set new goals or trying to find a sense of meaning in life, we are here to help foster a spiritual and emotional growth and change. Contact New Beginnings Spiritual Coaching and Consulting LLC at 732-314-6758 ext. 100 or via email at newbeginningsspiritualcoach@gmail.com
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