Page 120 - issue
P. 120
that the reader’s way of thinking or act- Remembering Rabbi Nivin’s advice, for the local soup kitchen or marching
ing is impacted by what I wrote. I suggested, “Take a half-hour twice a on the UN to protest anti-Israel discrim-
week, and sit down with a pen and paper ination.
u When someone passing through Israel and just start brainstorming. Write down
(often on the way to India) comes to talk whatever comes to your mind, what the Once I identified my mission, I
to me about Judaism, and two or five or first steps would be, and what you want stopped feeling guilty that I really don’t
ten years later, I find out that they stayed it to look like in the end. And ask the like to cook for myriads of Shabbat
in Jerusalem, starting learning Torah, Almighty for help in making it happen. guests. I also understood why I love writ-
and are observing the mitzvot. He can give you whatever He deems you ing for Aish.com and its spiritually-up-
should have. And then see if the opportu- wardly-mobile readers.
u When my children mention that they nity to take the next step emerges.”
talked to G-d about something bothering The concept of each person having an
them and I realize that their relationship Two weeks later, Barbara phoned me, individual life’s mission is a key to respect-
with G-d is strong. brimming with excitement. “This has ing other people. Otherwise, you may feel
really gotten my imagination going,” that what’s important to you should be
The common theme that emerged for she effused. “Everything I’ve learned important to everyone. You’re an environ-
me was that my mission is: “To inspire throughout my life is coming in handy mental activist? You may blame your sis-
people, through writing and speaking, to with this plan. I don’t know if it’ll ever ter for being oblivious to the environment
move forward in their spiritual/personal amount to anything, but just thinking without appreciating that her mission
development and relationship with G-d.” about it is like an electrical charge in my is to fight Holocaust denial. You belong
That’s what excites and energizes me. whole day. My husband and kids ask me to a group that feeds the homeless? You
That’s why, to my friends’ amazement, why I’m smiling so much.” may find it reprehensible that others are
when I am lecture touring, I can speak apparently heedless to the homeless and
in five different cities in five days, waking The Creator has outfitted you with a spend all their time in pro-Israel activism
up at dawn every day to make an early unique set of aptitudes, talents, and in- on campus. Being able to say, “This is my
flight and giving a three-hour workshop terests perfectly suited to what you are mission and that is theirs,” is the gateway
twice a day, and, at 63 years old, never charged with accomplishing. By following to true tolerance and respect.
feel tired. Knowing my mission is like in- your inclinations and abilities, you may
stalling an energy pack in my life. already have found your mission. Some- Knowing your individual mission val-
times your mission is deposited in your idates your life and releases you from the
Barbara Silverstein is a wife, moth- lap, such as the birth of a special needs pernicious habit of comparing yourself to
er, and hospice nurse. When talking to child. The National Tay-Sachs Associa- others. Jonah Salk’s mark on the world
me recently about her “life’s mission,” tion, for example, was founded by the par- may seem as deep as a crater, while your
she shrugged. Although her personal ents of children suffering from Tay-Sachs; taking care of your handicapped brother
and professional lives are fraught with the parents’ daunting challenge meta- may seem like a fingernail impression.
difficulties, she soldiers on with dedica- morphosed into their life’s mission. But from a spiritual perspective, the light
tion and integrity. I asked her what she you are shining into the world is unique
would do if she had loads of money and If your mission is not yet clear to you, and is exactly the light you came here to
six hours a day of discretionary time. take a half-hour between now and Rosh radiate.
Barbara thought for a few minutes, then Hashana and reflect on, “What do I re-
replied with passion: “I would set up a ally want to do with my life?” Perhaps One more point: Fulfilling your in-
Jewish outreach center for the elderly. you work full time developing software dividual life’s mission does not exempt
In my work with the terminally ill, I’m for Microsoft, but you’ve always felt a tug you from your global missions, such as
always facing men or women who are to write a book about internet addiction. supporting your family or raising your
about to lose their spouse and they say to Perhaps your greatest pleasure is tending children. Starting an outreach center for
me, ‘I don’t know what I’ll do about the your vegetable garden in suburban De- the elderly may have to wait until your
funeral. I don’t have a rabbi.’ They want troit, but you’ve always dreamed of living children are grown. Writing that book on
a spiritual connection with their Jewish on an agricultural settlement in Israel. internet addiction may have to be tucked
roots, but they’re clueless about how to Such inner urges may be whisperings into your few spare hours after your full-
do it.” The more that Barbara talked, the from G-d, the secret message from Head- time job. Don’t worry. The G-d Who as-
more fervent she became. quarters disclosing your true mission. signed you your mission will make sure
you have everything you need – includ-
“So that’s your mission,” I told her, Guilt, Respect, Validation ing time, now or later – to fulfill it.
“to establish a Jewish outreach center for Clarity about your mission dissipates
the elderly. That’s real pioneering work. guilt for all the worthy endeavors you’re So when the shofar sounds this Rosh
No one else has done it.” not engaged in. Once you realize that Hashana and you stand for your annual
you’re in this world to develop a new evaluation, be prepared to declare, “This
“Are you kidding?” Barbara replied. healing modality for autism, you won’t is my job, and I’m working on it.”u
“Between my family and my work, I don’t feel guilty that you’re not volunteering
have time for anything else.” Reprinted with permission from the
award-winning website Aish.com.
112 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
ing is impacted by what I wrote. I suggested, “Take a half-hour twice a on the UN to protest anti-Israel discrim-
week, and sit down with a pen and paper ination.
u When someone passing through Israel and just start brainstorming. Write down
(often on the way to India) comes to talk whatever comes to your mind, what the Once I identified my mission, I
to me about Judaism, and two or five or first steps would be, and what you want stopped feeling guilty that I really don’t
ten years later, I find out that they stayed it to look like in the end. And ask the like to cook for myriads of Shabbat
in Jerusalem, starting learning Torah, Almighty for help in making it happen. guests. I also understood why I love writ-
and are observing the mitzvot. He can give you whatever He deems you ing for Aish.com and its spiritually-up-
should have. And then see if the opportu- wardly-mobile readers.
u When my children mention that they nity to take the next step emerges.”
talked to G-d about something bothering The concept of each person having an
them and I realize that their relationship Two weeks later, Barbara phoned me, individual life’s mission is a key to respect-
with G-d is strong. brimming with excitement. “This has ing other people. Otherwise, you may feel
really gotten my imagination going,” that what’s important to you should be
The common theme that emerged for she effused. “Everything I’ve learned important to everyone. You’re an environ-
me was that my mission is: “To inspire throughout my life is coming in handy mental activist? You may blame your sis-
people, through writing and speaking, to with this plan. I don’t know if it’ll ever ter for being oblivious to the environment
move forward in their spiritual/personal amount to anything, but just thinking without appreciating that her mission
development and relationship with G-d.” about it is like an electrical charge in my is to fight Holocaust denial. You belong
That’s what excites and energizes me. whole day. My husband and kids ask me to a group that feeds the homeless? You
That’s why, to my friends’ amazement, why I’m smiling so much.” may find it reprehensible that others are
when I am lecture touring, I can speak apparently heedless to the homeless and
in five different cities in five days, waking The Creator has outfitted you with a spend all their time in pro-Israel activism
up at dawn every day to make an early unique set of aptitudes, talents, and in- on campus. Being able to say, “This is my
flight and giving a three-hour workshop terests perfectly suited to what you are mission and that is theirs,” is the gateway
twice a day, and, at 63 years old, never charged with accomplishing. By following to true tolerance and respect.
feel tired. Knowing my mission is like in- your inclinations and abilities, you may
stalling an energy pack in my life. already have found your mission. Some- Knowing your individual mission val-
times your mission is deposited in your idates your life and releases you from the
Barbara Silverstein is a wife, moth- lap, such as the birth of a special needs pernicious habit of comparing yourself to
er, and hospice nurse. When talking to child. The National Tay-Sachs Associa- others. Jonah Salk’s mark on the world
me recently about her “life’s mission,” tion, for example, was founded by the par- may seem as deep as a crater, while your
she shrugged. Although her personal ents of children suffering from Tay-Sachs; taking care of your handicapped brother
and professional lives are fraught with the parents’ daunting challenge meta- may seem like a fingernail impression.
difficulties, she soldiers on with dedica- morphosed into their life’s mission. But from a spiritual perspective, the light
tion and integrity. I asked her what she you are shining into the world is unique
would do if she had loads of money and If your mission is not yet clear to you, and is exactly the light you came here to
six hours a day of discretionary time. take a half-hour between now and Rosh radiate.
Barbara thought for a few minutes, then Hashana and reflect on, “What do I re-
replied with passion: “I would set up a ally want to do with my life?” Perhaps One more point: Fulfilling your in-
Jewish outreach center for the elderly. you work full time developing software dividual life’s mission does not exempt
In my work with the terminally ill, I’m for Microsoft, but you’ve always felt a tug you from your global missions, such as
always facing men or women who are to write a book about internet addiction. supporting your family or raising your
about to lose their spouse and they say to Perhaps your greatest pleasure is tending children. Starting an outreach center for
me, ‘I don’t know what I’ll do about the your vegetable garden in suburban De- the elderly may have to wait until your
funeral. I don’t have a rabbi.’ They want troit, but you’ve always dreamed of living children are grown. Writing that book on
a spiritual connection with their Jewish on an agricultural settlement in Israel. internet addiction may have to be tucked
roots, but they’re clueless about how to Such inner urges may be whisperings into your few spare hours after your full-
do it.” The more that Barbara talked, the from G-d, the secret message from Head- time job. Don’t worry. The G-d Who as-
more fervent she became. quarters disclosing your true mission. signed you your mission will make sure
you have everything you need – includ-
“So that’s your mission,” I told her, Guilt, Respect, Validation ing time, now or later – to fulfill it.
“to establish a Jewish outreach center for Clarity about your mission dissipates
the elderly. That’s real pioneering work. guilt for all the worthy endeavors you’re So when the shofar sounds this Rosh
No one else has done it.” not engaged in. Once you realize that Hashana and you stand for your annual
you’re in this world to develop a new evaluation, be prepared to declare, “This
“Are you kidding?” Barbara replied. healing modality for autism, you won’t is my job, and I’m working on it.”u
“Between my family and my work, I don’t feel guilty that you’re not volunteering
have time for anything else.” Reprinted with permission from the
award-winning website Aish.com.
112 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
