A Trembling World

Let’s rumble with some vulnerability together.  We’re all a little on edge. Ok, a lot on edge.  Our emotions and concerns range from practical concerns to the existential.  Is my kids school going to close? Are the airports shutting down and do I need to reschedule my vacation?  Is the supply chain going to be interrupted to the point that there won’t be enough food? What is happening to my retirement funds? Is the economy going to recover?  You can add your list of concerns here…

Not to make light of a serious situation but we must incorporate some levity into every situation or our heads will burst.  

This is timely; 
A Rabbi was asked what to feed a person suffering from CoronaVirus.  
“Matzah of course!” said the Rabbi.
“Well, does it help?”
“No”, said the Rabbi, “but it slides easily under the door.” 🙂

If you are too anxious to laugh, please read on…

I want to share three brief thoughts/ideas to help ground us;
1. In the world of recovery there is a line “play the tape forward”.  The reference is to what happens if you use again, what will it look like at the end.  I like to use this term to navigate moments of anxiety.  Play the scenario to the end.  I’m not a prophet and won’t tell you that every situation will end positively.  But, the anxiety doesn’t do anyone any good and clips your mind’s ability to think about the situation in a clear manner.  

So play it forward; what can you do today to minimize the outcome of your anxiety?  If you are concerned that your children are going to be stuck at home, make plans to ensure you have enough art supplies, games, toys and educational tools to keep them busy.  Wrap your mind around the idea that you will have this great opportunity to connect with your children in a way you never thought you would.   If you are concerned about your vacation, go ahead and postpone it.  Reschedule it for 6 months from now.  You’ll enjoy it better than and you may get a great deal.  And if you are anxious about something you have no control over and the train has left the station read on to #2.

2. It is at times like this that the blessing of faith is so valuable.  It is a deeply held belief taught to us by the Baal Shem Tov that everything that happens in this world is by Divine Providence.  In other words and in plain English, all that is happening is part of a master plan.  (Yes, it opens up a can of theological worms and I’m happy to navigate that with you.) So if G-d is in control then the situation is under control.  Wherever things go, whichever way the wind blows, you can be assured that you are in Hashem’s embrace and it is blowing in the direction that Hashem wants it to.  

I think of it like a child in a parents embrace while getting their vaccines (would be nice to have some around now).  The child hurts but knows that they are safe and in good hands while their father or mother is close by.

3. Action.  It’s helpful to get out of your head.  Anxiety is fed by self focus or being self absorbed.  How can you help someone else during these times?  Is there someone you can call? Is there someone who might be shut in that you can bring some supplies to?  

Our society has become so polarized these past years and one of the very obvious lessons of the Corona Virus is that we are all connected.  We can’t escape that.  We may disagree with each other but we live in a global world.  What happens at the other end of the world impacts us right here, every aspect of our lives.  

If this is so in the negative than surely it is so in the positive for the measure of good always outweighs the bad.  So how can you lift the spirit of another today? And every day? Do this with intention and your anxiety will dissipate.

If you are feeling good and haven’t been around someone who recently traveled abroad please consider joining us this Shabbat for a very special learners service with Mrs. Chana Rachel Schusterman.  Joy & Inner Peace in Times of Chaos.

Shabbat Shalom and peace and blessings to you and your loved ones!
Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman