To whom does this moment belong?
That may sound like some abstract philosophical question, but I mean it rather practically. I'm referring to me and you, and to this moment which we're each presently living. To whom does our time – and our very lives - belong?
I’m responsible for my own life, but does that mean my life belongs to me? On the other hand: Can it possibly belong to someone else?
Let's consider this angle. When you devote time to a loved one (and I mean DEVOTE - no Blackberry!), you're allowing someone else into your space; you've given a piece of yourself to an ‘other’. So those moments aren't strictly your own; they're shared.
It can usually go one of two ways:
- I can interact with someone else and still see the interaction as totally me-centered; I can see the other as a mere supporting actor in the play of MY life.
- I can get away from a me-centered perspective, and see the other person on his/her own terms; I recognize that the other is the star of his/her OWN play.
It all depends on my attitude.
In more practical terms:
It’s possible that your life pursuits (career, etc.) are totally self-directed and self-absorbed.
But what if you approach your pursuits with a conscious objective of self-improvement, of supporting your family, of bettering your community etc? What if your focus includes other(s)?
Are your moments, then, all about you?
No.
You’ve given up space; the moment goes beyond you to include a larger objective.
Torah teaches me to broaden – and elevate - my perspective in life, so that it goes beyond myself. My purpose needs to include others – my family, my community, my Creator.
When I look at the world and ask “What does G-d have in mind for me today?”, and “What is the Torah response to this challenging situation?” - instead of “What do I want and where do my impulses lead me?” - I’m giving up space in my life for Divine consciousness.
In a sense, there’s been a transaction. I’ve made a deal with the Divine.
I give G-d ‘occupancy’ in my life. And G-d grants me Divine ‘currency’, a sense of connectedness and balance that comes with living for a Higher purpose.
We’ve each got the rest of the day to consider.
So let’s make a deal.