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"Do not panic
from sudden fear Troubles best us all; this is the reality of life. Yet, some are able to face adversity head on, persevere, and come out from them even stronger than when one went in. Others, on the other hand, when faced with life’s adversities, crumble, and succumb to all forms of self-destruction, including any and all type of escapist addictive behaviors. Some live to strive, others live only to die. Life can be compared to a ride on a roller coaster; there are always ups and downs, sharp turns and even sharper drops along with ascents some of which are slow while others fast. The nature of a roller coaster ride is that one never knows what is coming next. Movement happens so quickly that we are literally just taken along for the ride. In the amusement park, after a few moments the ride ends, this is not true however with life itself. We cannot just get off the ride of life and not go on it again because we are afraid of it or it makes our stomach sick to be jostled around so much. We can choose whether or not to go on a roller coaster. We cannot choose whether or not our lives will resemble one. Live can be a thrill, or life can make one sick and afraid. It all depends upon how one chooses to live. Bad times and good times always come in cycles; this is the natural order of things. We cannot necessarily change the good or the bad. However, there is one great power that does reside with us. Although we may not be able to choose what befalls us, we do have the power to choose how we respond to whatever befalls us. In other words, we can make a bad matter good (or a good matter bad) all depending upon how we respond, what we do and how we do it. "To every cloud there is a silver lining," is the old saying. To every tragedy good can come forth from it. It all depends upon us. One way or another, tragedies comes, to everyone, this is only the natural order of things under the sun. However, being that one can to a point work with the natural order, there are those who can foresee tragedy and work in advance to avoid it or lessen its negative influences. Yet, in order to do this, one must have the wisdom of foresight and the discipline to prepare. The greatest of all tragedies is that there are those so foolish that they fail to take note of the signs around them to prepare and adjust themselves for that which is to come. Most of the terrible things that befall one is because either one has brought it down upon oneself, or one lacked the wisdom and foresight to recognize a coming bad event and prepare for it properly. Rightly are fools called wicked. Wicked means evil, and there is no greater evil that one who closes one’s eyes to self-preservation. Those who live by the attitude, “eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die” usually end up being dead either tomorrow or the next day. Thus, this attitude is a recipe for death, not a wise course for life. The fool, because he refuses to embrace wisdom, will thus march forward towards his own doom. This is but the natural order of things. Do not mourn him, do not warn him. He will pay no mind to your calls for his self-preservation. On the contrary, he will try to get you to give up your cautions and join him in his frivolities. Like one addicted to the high of drugs or alcohol, the pleasure is short and the suffering and grief much. One who walks the path of Torah learns wisdom and lives by it. As such, Heaven can guide one’s steps towards good and away from future tragedy that one cannot foresee with human insight. This is called Divine guidance and spiritual protection. Anyone who has tried it knows well its truth. Anyone who lives it knows well that whatever may come, there is the Higher Hand that will guide one through to greener pastures on the other side, no matter how bad things look today; there will be a brighter tomorrow. Yes, the wise know that there is a tomorrow for life. Unfortunately, the fool knows only that tomorrow we die. Why would one choose death, when life is so easy to grasp. Only the fool knows the answer why he chooses his so foolish a fate.
Comments? Questions?
Yeshivat Lev Torah -
Collel Benei N'vi'im |
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