Reality bends to our expectations. The gas tank can be half full or half empty, depending on one’s state of mind. An optimistic weatherman might declare ‘a day of scattered sunshine’ while a pessimist will predict ‘scattered clouds and rain.’
In this week’s portion, twelve spies are sent to scout the Land of Israel. Upon their return to the Israelite camp, ten of the twelve offer a negative report. “The people of the land are fierce, their cities are fortified and very great…we are not able to go up against the people for they are stronger than we…we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so were in their sight.” (Numbers 13.28-33) But there is a minority report: “We should go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30)
Who tells the truth? Is it the yea-sayer or naysayer who best describes reality?
To be fair, they both behold the truth. But while one observes a problem and gives up, the other observes the same problem and begins to think of a solution.
The world tends to mirror our minds. If an obstacle is thought surmountable it will be overcome. If we fall and have the vision to see ourselves upright, we do get up. But without that vision, we remain inert, fixed in the desert like the Israelites of old—the ‘Promised Land’ an illusory mirage.
Paul Coehlo put it nicely: "The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times." And that takes faith and vision.
No comments:
Post a Comment