I haven't read the book yet, but I was intrigued by the interview. I found the little pearl of wisdom the rabbi left as he was on his deathbed to be so simple, yet so profound. It is nothing we haven't heard before, but I think that at this time of year -- and in these difficult economic times -- it is a gentle reminder we can all be blessed to hear again.
When asked about the secret of being happy in this life, the old rabbi told Mitch, "Be satisfied."
Those two words stand out in my memory. It is something that we are constantly being told to ignore by the commercial world around us. From early childhood, the media is programming us to want more or bigger or better. In fact, as we get older, we are often made to feel guilty if we don't want more or bigger or better. We are sometimes made to feel lazy or inadequate or somehow lacking if we are not constantly striving to improve ourselves or our lives. "Lack of ambition" is often akin to a moral handicap!
I'm sure I sound like this is a sore point with me, and I do speak from personal experience. I was made to feel inadequate during all my growing up years. From my looks, to my grades in school, to my achievements.. I never seemed to measure up to my parents' expectations. And as I suffered one failure after another, I began to believe the worst about myself.
At one point in time, I began learning to be my own cheerleader, acknowledging the small things I accomplished or acquired. Maybe not much in the eyes of the world, but the little baby steps I took were satisfying to me! This doesn't mean I quit trying to improve my lot in life, just that I took so much more pride -- and pleasure in where I was in life at the moment, and what I already had acquired, no matter how menial the job or simple my surroundings.
A good friend of mine from Unity shared a little phrase she used when she was tempted to buy something beyond her means, "Just because a thing is beautiful, doesn't mean I have to own it!"
So many beautiful things in this world cannot be owned, but are there for our enrichment and joy. I do not have to list all the wonders of nature that surround us. And those of us who have children and grandchildren know the experience of great love and gratitude when we look into the faces of our loved ones, and know we brought them into this world and feel blessed by their presence. Good friends also give more meaning to our lives. Our treasures are in the heart.
This Thanksgiving, we might feel gratitude for having employment or good health. For having family or friends in our lives to share a meal with. More than anything, to have a home in which to celebrate and feel safe. We can see pictures daily of the war-torn countries.. of children who are displaced and perhaps starving. As imperfect as it seems at times, we still live in the greatest country in the world.
And "I'm satisfied"... Happy Thanksgiving!
