Nanosecond
“Celebrate for a nanosecond. Then move on.”
Michael Dell
This quote, certainly pithy and arguably true in business practice, comes up short when applied to the world of Ruchniyus and personal development.
We all know the famous Chazal "יש לו מנה רוצה מאתיים" - “one who has one hundred, wants two hundred”. Something basic in our make-up dictates that when it comes to physical things we always want more. Fascinatingly, Chazal saw that the formula for how much more we want is based on how much we have.
An amazing insight of the famed Mirrer Mashgiach Rav Yerucham is less well known. He taught that Chazal were also revealing a truth about our instinctual response to spiritual achievement. Appreciating our accomplishmen in spirituality makes us want more.
After months of hard work one finally finishes a mesechta. Should he think to himself “Very nice, but it’s really so little of Shas. What’s the big deal?”. According to Rav Yeruchem this would be a terrible mistake. Fully appreciating what a wonderful thing it is to finish a tractate will engender a ratzon to finish more mesechtos. As ratzon is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, of all the kochos hanafesh, any diminishing of positive ratzon is highly undesirable and destructive. We need to want good things. This is especially true as we live in a time of unprecedented availability when it comes to physical desires. The “yesh lo” we all have in the physical realm is overwhelming. To give ruchniyus a chance we need as much will and desire as possible.
The mesechta model is true in all areas of personal development. For example, for the first time one accepts upon himself a lashon hara mishmeres. After finishing his two hours he could reasonably say, “What did I actually accomplish? I am anyway obligated not to speak badly about others.” Saying so may have some truth to it, but it won’t build his all-important ratzon for the future. Enjoying the wonderful accomplishment of self-control, however, will gently and steadily push him towards the next mishmeres.
Take in, appreciate and celebrate any and all of your spiritual achievements. Don’t take for granted even the smallest. The more "יש לו" we have the more"רוצה מאתיים" we will feel. And with a stronger will, we can accomplish so much more.
How long should we celebrate for? Perhaps one could celebrate his spiritual achievements forever, all the while building his drive for more through this remembrance and embrace.
So of course we must always be dedicated to moving forward as Mr. Dell instructs. However, we should help ensure our future success by celebrating for a lot more than a nanosecond.
Initial Kabbala - Find a quiet corner and focus on a recent spiritual achievement of yours for at least sixty seconds. Do this on three different days.
Advanced Kabbala – For the next two weeks try to note and focus on as many spiritual achievements as possible.
Enduring Kabbala – Make a routine of focusing and embracing your spiritual achievements. Maybe find a chavrusa for this.
(Please send comments and questions, to rdsvaad@gmail.com.)
If you would like to receive these Avodah thougths every 2 weeks sign up at
http://rdsvaadim.com/subscribe/
“Celebrate for a nanosecond. Then move on.”
Michael Dell
This quote, certainly pithy and arguably true in business practice, comes up short when applied to the world of Ruchniyus and personal development.
We all know the famous Chazal "יש לו מנה רוצה מאתיים" - “one who has one hundred, wants two hundred”. Something basic in our make-up dictates that when it comes to physical things we always want more. Fascinatingly, Chazal saw that the formula for how much more we want is based on how much we have.
An amazing insight of the famed Mirrer Mashgiach Rav Yerucham is less well known. He taught that Chazal were also revealing a truth about our instinctual response to spiritual achievement. Appreciating our accomplishmen in spirituality makes us want more.
After months of hard work one finally finishes a mesechta. Should he think to himself “Very nice, but it’s really so little of Shas. What’s the big deal?”. According to Rav Yeruchem this would be a terrible mistake. Fully appreciating what a wonderful thing it is to finish a tractate will engender a ratzon to finish more mesechtos. As ratzon is one of the strongest, if not the strongest, of all the kochos hanafesh, any diminishing of positive ratzon is highly undesirable and destructive. We need to want good things. This is especially true as we live in a time of unprecedented availability when it comes to physical desires. The “yesh lo” we all have in the physical realm is overwhelming. To give ruchniyus a chance we need as much will and desire as possible.
The mesechta model is true in all areas of personal development. For example, for the first time one accepts upon himself a lashon hara mishmeres. After finishing his two hours he could reasonably say, “What did I actually accomplish? I am anyway obligated not to speak badly about others.” Saying so may have some truth to it, but it won’t build his all-important ratzon for the future. Enjoying the wonderful accomplishment of self-control, however, will gently and steadily push him towards the next mishmeres.
Take in, appreciate and celebrate any and all of your spiritual achievements. Don’t take for granted even the smallest. The more "יש לו" we have the more"רוצה מאתיים" we will feel. And with a stronger will, we can accomplish so much more.
How long should we celebrate for? Perhaps one could celebrate his spiritual achievements forever, all the while building his drive for more through this remembrance and embrace.
So of course we must always be dedicated to moving forward as Mr. Dell instructs. However, we should help ensure our future success by celebrating for a lot more than a nanosecond.
Initial Kabbala - Find a quiet corner and focus on a recent spiritual achievement of yours for at least sixty seconds. Do this on three different days.
Advanced Kabbala – For the next two weeks try to note and focus on as many spiritual achievements as possible.
Enduring Kabbala – Make a routine of focusing and embracing your spiritual achievements. Maybe find a chavrusa for this.
(Please send comments and questions, to rdsvaad@gmail.com.)
If you would like to receive these Avodah thougths every 2 weeks sign up at
http://rdsvaadim.com/subscribe/