What Am I Gonna Do?
March 13th – March 19th, 2005
I am writing this week’s tune up on a 747 headed to Istanbul where I will be delivering a lecture to a group of Turkish Kabbalah students. Most of the people around me are asleep and I am sitting here replaying the hundreds of conversations I’ve had this last month, with people who came out to see me on The Red String Book Tour.
Many people sought out my advice on issues they were facing in their lives, be it their job, family, dating scene and so on. Perhaps the best advice I can give to someone who is seeking clarity is something I learned from the writings of Kabbalist Rav Ashlag, the original founder of The Kabbalah Centre in 1922 and the teacher of my father’s teacher, Kabbalist Rav Brandwein.
Rav Ashlag says that when we are in a state of uncertainty, we waste energy spinning our wheels obsessing over an answer. What we fail to realize is that as long as our mind is unclear, we won’t be able to see the solutions.
The trick is to go to the areas where you are clear and see what more can be done there.
You see, in every area that you have clarity, you are connected to the Light. And if you push yourself and reinforce your efforts in that direction, you will strengthen your connection to the Light. The reward will be more clarity about other areas of your life.
So, let’s say you are stuck in a horrible job and you feel utterly hopeless. If you are like most of us, these negative thoughts will throw you into a state of apathy and inertia. Meanwhile, you have a good thing at home – this much you are certain of. Your wife is loving and your kids are great. But could it be better? Are you doing the little things for your wife that makes her feel loved? Are you spending extra time with the kids, playing and nurturing them? Even though this may seem completely unrelated to your uncertainties at work, it may be the key that unlocks the closed gates in your career.
Drawing down more Light will illuminate the dark areas of your life.
We tend to take our areas of clarity for granted while we torment ourselves about our ‘issues.’ You can torture yourself if you want, but you’ll be much happier if you redirect your uncertainty into actions of certainty.
As always, don’t take my word for it. Try it out yourself this week and let me know how it works for you.
All the Best,
Yehuda Berg