BS’D
Fighting for Happiness/Gratitude
In the month of Adar, we have a mitzvah to be happy. How can we be commanded to be happy? Isn’t happiness an emotion that’s out of our control? Don’t we often think: “If this was different, or if had that [fill in your own thing], I would be happy – but, how can I be happy when I’m dealing with…?”
Adar comes to teach us – happiness is not a result of our external circumstances. Those are often out of our control. Happiness is created in our attitude. What are we choosing to focus on? Even in every challenge – no matter how big or small – there is some kernel of good. We need to look for it. If we can work hard to look for the good in our lives, if we really try to find the blessings – we will awaken within ourselves that natural, intuitive, real inner happiness.
However, we still need to be real – and give ourselves space and permission to talk out our challenges, to garner up resources and support, to feel our pain, and even to kvetch a little when we are cranky.
But, at the same time, to also find that point of good.
I once heard in a Torah class that the mitzvah to be happy doesn’t necessarily mean to walk through life singing and dancing with a huge smile on your face. If you can, and that’s real for you – awesome. But, sometimes it means – to fight for the happiness. It’s often not easy. Life throws us all sorts of challenges and ahrdships that are real. But in our revolution, let’s fight to see the good, let’s fight to cultivate gratitude, and, in doing so, let’s fight to awaken the happiness in our lives.
Happy Purim!
For no particular reason say ‘Thank you Aba, I love You and thank you for giving me life!’
