Ever feel like you're 'running on empty'?
Some days, we feel like we have what it takes. We're in the right mental place; we've got the enthusiasm and wisdom to deal with the things that come our way. We’re in the right ‘zone’.
Other days can feel like we’re stuck in a pit. We’re mentally and emotionally exhausted, and feel trapped in the pit.
What to do?
Here's a thought: The Torah refers to each of us as a 'well', a hole in the ground that is a natural source of water.
What's the difference between a pit and a well?
A pit is just an abyss, yielding nothing but emptiness, with no hope for growth and vitality. A well is also a cavity in the earth, but one that produces water, the source of life.
The 'running on empty' feeling is part of life; it's a struggle we all face from time to time. But in Chassidic thought, the struggle is what yields the greatest reward.
When we face an obstacle, that obstacle is actually beckoning, calling out and saying "conquer me." And when we rise to the challenge, we engage in our soul’s greatest exercise. By calling us a well, the Torah gives us the assurance that if we dig deeper, we will find a hidden treasure – our destiny. When we feel empty, alienated and disconnected, when we feel like we’re at the bottom of a pit, we need to visualize our life as a ‘well', and dig a little deeper. And when we do, we'll hopefully access that special geyser of hope, strength, inspiration and wisdom that we carry with us.
It’s there, waiting. Just dig a little deeper.