What Makes You Happy ?
People search relenstlessly for a “city of happiness” not realizing that it could only be found in a “state of mind”. (Rabbi Avraham Pam 1913-2001)
The "city of happiness" is all the happiness one expects to receive from the things one does not have. One has the expectation that if one buys that jacket, those shoes, that house, that car, etc. one will be happy. Or that if one takes that top job with a higher salary all problems will disappear like snow in the sun. Not realizing that this happiness is only short lived. The purchase soon becomes boring and the top job makes that in other areas extra unexpected costs are made so that the final amount per month will be the same. In addition, these purchases, or these changes are regularly made as camouflage for an entirely different problem. One buys the beautiful things for example because one thinks to increase the self-esteem or takes the job with more salary because one hopes to solve marital problems.
Real happiness must come from within. Being happy with who you are, being happy with your family, being happy with what you have. Real happiness comes from contentment. In knowing and trusting that G-d gives each person exactly what they need.
This does not mean that we should be passive because everything is apparently as it is. For who says that it is not the will of G-d to work on your marriage or on your self-esteem to improve it. Problems you experience you share with G-d and actively address. Where your work is in accordance with His Will you will experience improvement.
Happiness means being connected with G-d who always has good intentions for you. Living with Him, trusting Him and working with Him.
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners en intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
Every Day, Holy Day
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