I've often wondered: What's it like to run for President?
I imagine that a Presidential campaign absolutely consumes the participants' total lives and brain space.
I'd bet that Senators McCain and Obama brush their respective teeth with the election in mind.
It's that deep.
Beyond politics and power, I believe there's a lot to learn from that profile in commitment.
On the one hand, 'total commitment' is sometimes an obsession or 'unhealthy attachment'.
For example: When a person's business objectives, strategies and worries fill his thoughts and mind 24/7, can he really make brain-space for a loved one? I don't think so.
But there are healthy 'total commitments'. Like the commitment to 'Meaning'.
When I'm committed to the idea that I was created for a purpose, and that my family, occupation etc. are part and parcel of that Divine destiny, it imbues my life with a soul. Life becomes a consistent string of opportunities to embrace the Divine.
My commitment isn't a distraction from life; it's a stimulus that inspires me toward work, family, self-rejuvenation, etc, in a meaningful way.
So, in metaphoric terms, I'm running for a meaningful life. G-d is my campaign manager, and His Torah guides my steps through the day.
Looking at my computer screen as I write these words, my son asks: "But you're just writing about it as a statement of fact. How does one ACHIEVE that sense of commitment?"
Good point.
In response, let's consider this: All healthy-minded people have a drive for self-preservation. How do you create that drive?
You don't.
I think it's instinctive; our job in life is to bring this basic instinct into practical consciousness. When I pro-actively think about my health, my thoughts will likely guide my habits in a healthful direction.
The same applies to meaning. I think we're hard-wired with a need for a meaningful life and a sense of destiny. You don't create it; you find it.
When I get up in the morning, my prayers pro-actively bring that mindset into consciousness, and that's an extremely pivotal exercise for the day: It's about setting the Goal.
The rest of the day is all about the campaign.
So let's run.
ב"ה