EARNING OUR BLESSINGS

I heard a funny story last week about a guy who was running late for one of the most important meetings of his life, and he can’t find a parking space. He throws up his hands and says, “God, if you give me a spot, half of what I make from this deal I’ll give to charity.”

Before the words escape of his mouth, someone pulls out of a space that’s right in front of him! He looks back up to the heavens and says, “Oh, nevermind. I just found one!”

It’s an important lesson for us always, but especially during this month of miracles.

When we have what we want or need, we think “I’ve got this!” and that we don’t need the Creator in our lives.

When we are lacking or in pain, we suddenly need help and pray more than usual.

In the Kabbalah Centre, we see this a lot. People will come and go, only to come back again. They come to this spiritual path because they are seeking something and when they find what they were looking for, they stop coming to classes, volunteering, or participating in events. When they are in need again, they come back for more.

It’s human nature for us all to do this. We might not go so far as to leave our spiritual path altogether, but when we experience lack or pain in our lives, we tend to spend a lot more time mediating, praying, or using the spiritual tools that Kabbalah offers.

If it takes experiencing great lack for us to devote time to our relationship with the Creator, what do you think the Universe is going to keep right on giving us?

The secret is that it’s in the moments we feel fulfilled and are standing in a space of abundance that we need to push ourselves further to connect even more with the Light.

Usually if we get a job promotion we want to go out to celebrate, or if we come into a great deal of money we immediately start planning a vacation. Celebrating our victories and taking pride in our accomplishments is important, but we can never forget where those blessings come from.

The best thing to do when the Light gives us a gift is to keep going. Because whatever we have been given is only a taste of all that is available. If we’re in a moment where the Light is giving to us, we should take full advantage of it by pushing ourselves to expand our capacity by giving more, doing more and being more, so that we can receive all that the Light wants to give.

As my father, the Rav, often says, “If we don’t earn our blessings, they will never truly be ours.” 

72 Name of the Week

Daled Nun Yud
ENOUGH IS NEVER ENOUGH

I will not settle for less in any area of my life. I want everything that is possible.

I let go of everything that prevents me from having it all, including eternal happiness and peace on earth.

All things wonderful are possible and I will make them a part of my daily existence