Hoffman: Awaken to the treasures in your midst
Posted By richards on March 7, 2015
There is a story I like from the Hasidic tradition about a man who left his home on a quest to find a treasure. He wanted to find the meaning of life; something he had come to believe he couldn't find in the hum-drum routine of his everyday experience. So he started on a journey in search of this treasure.
The first night he slept out under the stars. And before he climbed under his blanket, he took his shoes off and put them in the road pointing in the direction toward which he was heading. Then he went to sleep. That night a prankster turned the man's shoes in the opposite direction, so when the man woke up the next morning and put his shoes on, he started out in the direction from which he had come.
He traveled some distance, and then noticed a house that looked a lot like his house. He went inside the house and was greeted by a family of people who looked remarkably like his family. And, according to the legend, the man then decided to settle down there, and when he did, promptly discovered the treasure for which he had searched.
The moral of the story, of course, is that more often than not, the treasures we are looking for in life and the opportunities we get for a centered and meaningful existence those things are all right here. We don't have to go searching for them in some exotic location, or fool ourselves into thinking that if only this or that circumstance in our life was different, we would finally arrive and, at long last, be content.
The story from the ancient rabbis is wise because it suggests just the opposite. Its simple message is that if you want to find meaning in life, what you need to do is just open your eyes to what you already have and then commit yourself to employ the values you most admire in the places you most frequent and among the people in your ordinary sphere of contacts.
I think Jesus had something similar in mind when he once told his disciples, Dont go rushing around looking for the Kingdom of God; saying Look, here it is, or Lo, there it is. For the Kingdom of God is within you.
Maybe the day on which you are reading this article seems to you like an ordinary day. But if you were to see today as the opportunity to look with freshness on the people in your life, and to live out, in whatever large or small way you can, the values you most admire, then I would suggest to you that today is not ordinary at all. It will be a day on which you experience God.
Here is the original post:
Hoffman: Awaken to the treasures in your midst
- Hasidic Tourist Attacked In Brooklyn In Possible Hate Crime [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Hasidic Jew Who Claimed To Be "Knockout Game" Victim Simply Fell Down [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Developer Lamm loses 2 challenges [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Hasidic Park No Longer Allowed To Be Sex-Segregated [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Hasidism - Home | Jewish Virtual Library [Last Updated On: April 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 1st, 2014]
- Hasidic Village of Kiryas Joel Agrees To End Gender Segregation at Park [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- New York Hasidic Enclave To Desegregate Public Park After ACLU Settlement [Last Updated On: April 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 2nd, 2014]
- Zumba gets kosher makeover so Hasidic Jewish women can join fitness craze [Last Updated On: April 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 3rd, 2014]
- Dressing up Hasidic Making Fun? Ask the Rabbi Live with Rabbi Mintz - Video [Last Updated On: April 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 5th, 2014]
- What Is the Difference Between Haredi, Hasidic, and ... [Last Updated On: April 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2014]
- Yismechu hashamayim (hasidic shabat song) - Video [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2014]
- Brooklyn Hasidic advertisement - Video [Last Updated On: April 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 7th, 2014]
- FROM MAN TO BRAND [Last Updated On: April 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 9th, 2014]
- My Orthodox exodus: When I left my community, I discovered myself [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2014]
- Hasidism - Jewish Virtual Library [Last Updated On: April 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 13th, 2014]
- John Turturro and Woody Allen share the laughs [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- John Turturro's Hasidic Rom-Com [Last Updated On: April 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 18th, 2014]
- Bloomingburg eliminates building inspector job [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- Hasidic growth displaces 1000's of African/Black/Latino families in Spring Valley NY - Video [Last Updated On: April 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 19th, 2014]
- Former Hasidic Jews reveal hidden world -- Russian subtitles - Video [Last Updated On: April 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2014]
- Five Arrested in December Assault on Gay Brooklynite [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- 4 Hasidic Jews Busted in Beating of Gay Black Man in Brooklyn [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- Five Hasidic Jews Arrested for Williamsburg Attack on Gay Man [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- Four Ultra-Orthodox Jews Arrested for Attacking Gay Man in Brooklyn [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- 5 Hasidic Men Indicted In Beating Of Man In Williamsburg [Last Updated On: April 23rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 23rd, 2014]
- Cops Charge 5 Hasidic Jews In Brutal Assault Of Gay Black Man In New York [Last Updated On: April 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2014]
- John Turturro gets out of character for his lead role in Fading Gigolo [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2014]
- 5 Orthodox Hasidic Jews Indicted In Vicious Attack Of Black Man In Williamsburg - Video [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2014]
- Hasidic Hayem's Payots (Becoming Ricardo Outtake) - Video [Last Updated On: April 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2014]
- Videos: Abducted Children In Brooklyn Rescued By Hasidic Shomrim Patrol [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Widow finds new life in Fading Gigolo [Last Updated On: April 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2014]
- Hasidic man gets no jail for bleaching sex abuse activist [Last Updated On: April 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 29th, 2014]
- Employee of Brooklyn landlord demands rent by parking his car in front of building [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Hasidic Man Gets Probation for Throwing Bleach at Sex Abuse Victims Advocate [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Indianapolis Jewish Film Festival [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- 'Main Player' in Menachem Stark Murder Being Questioned by Police [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2014] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2014]
- Construction Worker Charged With Kidnapping and Murdering Brooklyn Landlord [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Construction Worker Kendal Felix Charged in Menachem Stark Murder [Last Updated On: May 2nd, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 2nd, 2014]
- Hasidic New Wave & Yakar Rhythms: From The Belly Of Abraham - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2014]
- Former NYPD cop arrested for anti-Semitic graffiti [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2014]
- Hasidism | Define Hasidism at Dictionary.com [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Deborah Feldmans Hasidic Exodus [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Hasid - Dictionary.com - Free Online English Dictionary [Last Updated On: May 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 8th, 2014]
- Hasidim Spark Backlash in NYC Exurbs That Entangles Cuomo [Last Updated On: May 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 9th, 2014]
- Canadian Memebers of Lev Tahor Hasidic Sect Live in Guatemala Shack [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2014]
- Pine Bush to ask about election zone legality [Last Updated On: May 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 14th, 2014]
- Secrets and lives of Hasidic women [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2014]
- Outrage as Kiryas Joel orders map of Hasidic landowners [Last Updated On: May 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2014]
- Hasidic community in Hudson Valley hosts bonfire [Last Updated On: May 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 21st, 2014]
- Russia Court Demands 7 Hasidic Trove Books Back Sets 50K-a-Day Fine [Last Updated On: May 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 24th, 2014]
- Talking Ticks in the Hasidic Catskills [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2014]
- Moshe Knoll: A Simcha in Bacau (Hasidic Melody #2) - Video [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2014]
- Hasidic development allowed to continue, says state court [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- The Conflict Between the Hasidic and Immigrant Communities ... [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Hasidic Jones August 10, 2014 - Video [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2014] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2014]
- Hasidic Bride & Groom Dance Together At Their Wedding - Video [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2014]
- Trine [Enchanted Edition] Co-op, Ep. 5: "Hasidic, Like Gandhi" - Video [Last Updated On: September 5th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 5th, 2014]
- First Hasidic Jewish Officer to Join NYPD Promoted to Sergeant [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2014]
- Conversation With a Hasidic Man - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2014]
- "Hasidic New Wave" - Video [Last Updated On: September 7th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 7th, 2014]
- Reconnecting the Secular Yiddishist and Hasidic Worlds - Video [Last Updated On: September 8th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 8th, 2014]
- First Hasidic Jewish NYPD Officer Joel Witriol Promoted To Sergeant - Video [Last Updated On: September 9th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2014]
- Neuhaus: 'Perception of unfairness' in poll inspector move [Last Updated On: September 10th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 10th, 2014]
- Hasidic Jew History- The Lifestyle And History of Hassidism [Last Updated On: September 13th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 13th, 2014]
- Lazer and me - Hasidic blues - Video [Last Updated On: September 14th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2014]
- Plathia - Classical Guitar Hasidic Instrumental Wedding Medley! - Video [Last Updated On: September 16th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2014]
- Hasidic Culture Festival PROMO - Video [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2014]
- Hasidic Candidate Loses in New York Statewide Race [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2014]
- Shabbes koidesh (Holy Shabat) - Hasidic Hebrew song - Video [Last Updated On: September 19th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 19th, 2014]
- Uman Hasidic Pilgrims May Carry Ebola Virus, Ukraine Official Claims [Last Updated On: September 20th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2014]
- Perplexing case of developer Lamm charging governmental bias [Last Updated On: September 21st, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 21st, 2014]
- Hasidic Townhouse Foes Seek to Dissolve Catskills Village [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2014]
- Hasidic Pilgrims Fined $15K for Ukraine Tent City [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2014]
- San Sebastian Film Review: 'Felix and Meira' [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2014]
- Hasidic Family in Kiryas Joel Speaks After Historic Monroe Meeting - Video [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2014]
- Hasidic Guy and Showtime - Video [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2014]
- Matisyahu Brings Always Positive Message to Headliners Tonight [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2014] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2014]
- 'Felix and Meira' ('Felix et Meira'): San Sebastian Review [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- What the Day of Atonement Meant to One Hasidic Woman [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2014]
- Photos Of 1990s Hasidic Life Exhibited At Brooklyn Library [Last Updated On: October 3rd, 2014] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2014]
Comments