One day, a talmid called R' Aharon Kotler zt"l and said he was about to leave the country.
R' Aharon replied, 'Let me give you some money so you can give it to tzedakah, charity. Like this, you'll be going on a mitzvah mission, and it will give you extra protection.'
Later that day, in his office, the secretary said someone was on the phone. He thought it was a business contact from New Jersey named Kotler and said he would call back later. But the secretary said the person sounded very urgent, so he answered the call.
"Hello, its Aharon Kotler" said the voice. It was his rosh yeshiva, R' Aharon!
R' Aharon apologized and said, "I wanted to give money for tzedakah as a mitzvah for protection, but now I realize that since you are going for parnassah, to make money for your family, this is already a mitzvah!'
You can serve Hashem with the money and take care of your family at the same time!"
What's The Lesson?
This isn't only true when it comes to making money. Hashem sends us all to places, and we are sent on a mission.
Each person was sent to a different family, city, yeshiva, or school. If we realize that we are sent on a mission to serve Hashem wherever we are and help others come closer to Him, we will live a life of constant performance of mitzvos.
This Connects To Sukkos:
Wherever you are for Sukkos, it's all from Hashem, for reasons only he knows.
Maybe you wanted to be somewhere else, like Eretz Yisroel, Florida, or a fancy hotel, but maybe it's a test to accept that where you are is good.
Look around and try to make someone happy with a smile or a kind word, whether it's a family member or a neighbor.
When you make others happy, it will bring you uplifting joy too. Maybe that's why you are next to this person!