The labyrinth of our lives has the potential to become so challenging to navigate, that we need to acknowledge that despite where we are in time, space, and the circumstances of our lives, we still may choose how to respond to any given situation or set of challenges. Additionally, I would contend that the circumstances of our lives are a reflection of our own perspective, attitudes, thoughts, speech, and actions, accumulated over time, and turned back upon us, so to speak, measure for measure.
We may not readily accept our circumstances as a product of our own existence over time on earth, and our interactions with self and others; yet, if we reflect in depth upon our existence, we may begin to see parallels, previously unnoticed, to the nature of our character, for example, how we treat others, is now how we are being treated. According to the will of the G-d, we reap what we sow. Middah k’neged middah – measure for mesure.
Otherwise, we may consider that the challenges, hurdles, and obstacles of our lives are placed there by a Benevolent G-d, Who ultimately has the best in mind for us, in regard to our personal and spiritual growth. Accordingly, one rule of thumb to adopt as a helpful reminder could be, that regardless of how we see ourselves having gotten into a certain “jam” in our lives, even if we are not to blame for having arrived there, we still can take responsibility for ourselves, in regard to how we respond. This is the juncture for spiritual growth, to make the right choice, by responding in a better manner than we might have in the past.
This ability to change over time, through opportunities that give us the chance to renew ourselves is key to character development. For, I am given this chance upon chance, everyday, for tikkun hanefesh (renewal of the soul) simply by the fact of my existence, granted to me each morning that I wake to a new day. The propensity each day to reclaim my past, and redeem the time is given to me by the Creator of all life. He is concerned for all of His creation, including myself, and every individual under the sun, even those who live without sunlight in the northern and southern hemisphere extremes, for part of the year.
Metaphorically, in our own lives there is light and darkness. Sometimes, we bring darkness into our lives through either inadvertent or (G-d forbid) intentional sins. Our sins will beget us, turning our lives into a reflection of negative versions of ourselves, that we are unable to defeat, unless we return to the origin of their development.
So, instead of fretting and running to a self-help book, we can examine our own conscience for the flaws that generate our negative perspective. Yet, our attitude is unlikely to shift on its own, through an act of will power. In most cases, our attitude is in place because of the underlying faults that taint our soul. Are we willing to do the work of self-transformation? This begins with awareness, and a deep reflection upon our individual existence.
Additionally, while our intuition is key to resolving challenges in our lives, and moving toward goals that we would like to establish for ourselves, how many of us realize the potential to receive our intuition from G-d? In fact, many of us may not already realize, that is precisely where our intuition may originate, when it is positive, helpful, and good for us and others.
Otherwise, if we attempt to attribute our intuition to ourselves, perhaps, we would have a difficult time finding the origin within us. This is seriously something to think about, as is the origin of our conscience. I imagine that many different views abound, as well as seemingly opposing viewpoints on the subject.
For myself, there is another inward revelation, scriptural in nature, that comes to mind, inasmuch that it’s written, that G-d implanted eternity within the hearts of mankind (Ecclesiastes). The nature of eternity is such that the place whereof we will spend eternity is based upon how we live our lives.
Yet, some would seek to subvert natural law, and attempt to have a continual existence via some other means, namely through A.I. Their aim is to bypass the divine route of perfecting ourselves, based upon the Great physician’s prescription for remedying our lives. Instead, they seek to download their “brain circuitry” via an artificial intelligence construction. This may sound like science fiction; however, it is the ultimate dream of many transhumanists.
Everyday, may those of us who are conscious of the irreplaceability of our souls, seek to employ the day well, for the sake of eternity, in acknowledgment that all G-d’s creation lead finite lives on earth; yet, man, embodied with a soul, has the potential to transcend this life through the path shown by His Maker. For G-d will judge us after we are resurrected according to His divine plan and grant us our due reward or condemnation. There is no cheating death, as the transhumanists envision for themselves. Rather, the sting of death has already been defeated through the righteousness of the Holy One, who offers us an eternal reward for our own righteousness.
Breathing Room 