Eretz Yisrael was described as a “good and spacious land” and “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Shemos 3:8). The fruits there were so large, plentiful and luscious that they had to be carried on poles. Furthermore, in His great mercy, Hashem ensured that there would be constant funerals, distracting the inhabitants so they wouldn’t focus on the fact that there were spies in the land (Sotah 35a).
Yet, despite all this, the spies saw the land in a negative light, causing a national hysteria. They claimed that because the fruits were so large, there was reason to be scared, since it portrayed how the land was inhabited by giants. The miracle of the constant funerals was also interpreted negatively, causing them to call Eretz Yisrael “a land that devoured its inhabitants” (13:32). They desired to view the land in a negative light so despite its tremendous goodness and abundance, they found grounds to complain. Their attitude helps teach us a powerful lesson in the power of perspective. Everything could be going the best for us in every possible way, yet with a negative mindset, we will be unable to appreciate our blessings.
If we look with open eyes, Hashem’s goodness is truly everywhere. Some examples include the stunning natural world around us, the mind-blowing wisdom of the human body, and the wonderful range of colors and flavors in food. We also have friends and family who are there for us, unique personal talents, technology that makes our lives easier, and countless other blessings. However, we just have to open our eyes and try not to fall into the trap of the yetzer hara who works extra hard to ensure that we don’t focus on our blessings.
The Rabbeinu Bachaya (hakdama to Ki Tissa) teaches, “there isn’t a person in Klal Yisrael who doesn’t witness miracles every day.” However, unfortunately, these miracles often go unnoticed. As the Gemara (Niddah 31a) teaches, “even someone who experienced a miracle isn’t aware of their miracle.”
Why is it so hard to focus on the miracles which we experience? One time, HaRav Shlomo Brevda was very close to having a serious accident, almost falling off a cliff, yet miraculously he was saved. He thought that he would never be the same person again after he experienced this miracle; yet he noticed that these feelings of inspiration didn’t last for too long. He asked the Chazon Ish why it’s so hard to be permanently inspired by the miracles which we experience.
He responded that Hashem wants to ensure that we have bechirah, free choice, in how to respond to events. He therefore makes it ‘human nature’ not to be moved by miracles. It is our responsibility to use our bechirah correctly, actively choosing to focus on miracles. When we do so, we bring ourselves closer to Hashem.
What piece of advice is there to ensure that we continue to remember our miracles? One way could be to write them down in a journal. This practice is nothing new; in fact, over 800 years ago, Rabbeinu Tam (Sefer Hayashar Shaar 13) encouraged both writing such a journal and reviewing it once a week. The idea behind it is simple: we have so many things in our lives to appreciate, yet they often go unnoticed without the correct focus. Having an organized journal to write down our many blessings helps cultivate awareness of our many gifts.
Furthermore, it is a permanent way to ensure we remember our blessings, helping us be moved by the kindnesses of Hashem even years after they took place. Another tremendous advantage of this practice is that it brings more blessing into our life. As the Zohar (1:59b) teaches, “when we thank Hashem we will see more blessing.”
This is evident in the following story:
A girl living in New York started to suffer from breathing difficulties. She went to many experts, but they all said they had never seen anything like her condition before and didn’t know what was causing the problem. The only advice she received was that she should go to Arizona, where the air is drier. However, she was there for three weeks, and it didn’t help much. The girl and her family returned home feeling despondent and helpless.
She resolved that each night she would write in a journal ten good things that happened to her that day and thank Hashem for these favors. On the forty-first day, she wrote, “I am breathing well and without pain. It is like I was never sick, thank you Hashem!”
Written by Daniel Shasha, To recive our weekly inspiring newsletter by email please email livingappreciation@gmail.com