Tumult and Tranquility
Tranquility and Pleasure. They would seem to be the pot of gold at the end of anyone's rainbow.
Life’s primary goal seems to be the experience of enjoyment and the escape of suffering. On the face of it, a wealthy person purchasing the world’s pleasures without limit would seem to be experiencing life at its zenith. Yet, when we look deeper, we recognize the curious reality that – in and of themselves - expensive pleasures usually bring cheap thrills; they leave an inner emptiness that propels people to seek a greater high, or to numb the pain by artificial escapes.
Is this Tranquility? Pleasure?
Tranquility is more than freedom from stress and pleasure is more than an externally-induced high.
Consider two people. One seems to lead a stress-free life; he has more than enough money and none of the ‘baggage’ associated with a meaningful relationship.
The other person deals with life’s curveballs every day, facing problems and struggles, and meeting his responsibilities to work and family.
The latter will probably daydream about being the former. But, at the end of your life, whose eulogy would you prefer for yourself?
Instinctively, we seek an internal sense of well-being, a feeling that we’re alive for a purpose and being useful to our world.
If you work hard to construct a new piece of furniture at home, the process may be laborious and aggravating. At the same time, how will you feel when you stand back to view what you’ve created? Could that satisfaction that have been duplicated by a less labor-intensive purchase of the same item?
Beyond the joy of completing your project there’s a general sense of peace and balance, the happiness that comes with leading a life of accomplishment. Our micro accomplishments –making a difference in other’s lives - trigger a more general joie de vivre.
It’s interesting that Noah lived through the world’s greatest global crisis; one can only imagine the stress and tumult. Yet his name, Noach, means tranquility.
Life’s true tranquility and pleasure come from engaging the rushing waters. The more we spiritually insulate ourselves, building our psych-spiritual Ark, the more we protect ourselves from drowning. In fact, an increase in the water’s volume will only lift us higher.
So build your personal Ark through study and prayer, through Connection with G-d.
Then prepare to engage the waters, because that’s where the gold is.