Chevra
What a special treat it was to open our call today with two fantastic A&W Moments given over by Dov and Steve!
On the one hand, we were inspired by Dov to hear about his "realization" of the engineering marvel of something as basic as a leaf on a tree. And how the leaf is bound to and totally depends on the branches and the trunk and the root of the tree - it's source of life.
And on the other hand, we were moved by Steve's emotional story about his father and the close call he had with his pacemaker. Steve helped us realize that similar to his father, we are ALL 100% DEPENDENT on our source of life - HaKadosh Barachu!
Our readings over the past two days as we finished the Chapter of "We Agnostics" - presented in very black & white terms our Problems and the Solution.
It doesn't matter if our problems include trouble with personal relationships, feelings of uselessness, depression, fear, etc. - we all need a "simple reliance upon the Spirit of the Universe." I know that when I become self-reliant - that I am literally carving G-d out of my life. Now wonder I feel so isolated!!
We're told that it all boils down to Self-Sufficiency versus G-d-Sufficiency. All you need to do is look back and ask yourself which has worked best in your life.
Can we finally take that necessary steps to Cross the bridge of Reason to reach the Shore of Faith?
We concluded our Call with a very meaningful Vort on the three Brachos we say every morning - Shelo Asani Goy, Shelo Asani Oved and Shelo Asani Eisha. And through this vort, we realize that G-d didn't make you a Goy. He didn't make you an Oved. And he didn't make you a Woman. But YOU can!
Yes, by the choices you make; how you behave, how you dress, how you act in public, what you value and who you associate with - you can be a Goy.
And by what you desire and long for, what you attach importance to, and when you think you can't live without something then - you can be a Oved.
And for you men in the Program (please no offense ladies), when you make demands, when you have expectations, when you focus on taking then - you can be a Woman.
So when you praise and thank G-d for not making you any of these, take a close look at the choices you are making to see if you are making yourself something that G-d didn't intend!
Next week, we begin Chapter 5 "How it Works." And FINALLY, we will be launching ourselves deep into the Steps of the Program.
As they say out here in these parts..."enough talk already, it's time for Action!"
So have a Gut Shabbos and come back next week - rearin to get after it!
Looking FORWARD
Duvid Chaim