The Director

One of the most essential questions human beings wonder, regardless of time or place, is: "What brings happiness, and how do I avoid sadness?"


At first glance, the answer seems to lie on one simple idea: Avoiding pain and unpleasantness. "If I avoid pain, I won't be sad." But as can be seen in our life experiences, this can't be the true answer. Let's take a look at the most human, and most painful, of human experiences: Childbirth. And yet as painful as this experience is, it will be extremely difficult to find a mother who has just given birth, who isn't overcome with an indescribable feeling of joy and contentedness. Clearly, when pain has an underlying meaning and goal behind it, not only is sadness not an outcome; great joy can come! So what causes our sadness and hinders our joy?

To find our answer, let's take a look at the most obvious of sources: The Goliath ride at 6 flags magic mountain. As the ride rises higher and higher, the fear and trepidation mount. Then, at its peak, with a view of the entire Los Angeles skyline, the ride drops at an incredible pace! If you take a look at that moment at the faces of the participants, you will see an odd, paradoxical sight: Looks of sheer terror and joy! How can one possibly be happy at a time like this? Aren't they worried? Well, the ride goers know that there's rules & regulations in place to ensure the safety of the ride. They know that there's constant inspections and oversight, ultimately overseen by a director whose dedication to the well being of the ride goers is paramount.

So too in our lives. When one realizes that there is a Director, an overseer over each event of one's life, than hindrances to joy melt away. Pain, fear, aren't the problems. The problem is that we don't recognize that there is a plan behind it; that there's a director overseeing each aspect of our lives and our ultimate success. That therefore there is meaning behind every one of the challenges and painful experiences we encounter. When we internalize this recognition, when we put faith in trust in our Director, we allow joy to enter our lives, freeing us to ride the roller coaster of life with smiles on our faces.

Shabbat Shalom!