There is a beautiful teaching from the Previous Rebbe, Rabbi Yosef Yitzchok Schneersohn, about how to honestly view your “surroundings.” He said that in material matters one should always look “down,” while in spiritual matters one should always look “up.”
What does this mean?
When it comes to the material aspects of our lives, we should look around at those who are not as fortunate as us, who have less than us--whether that be in health, possessions, livelihood, etc. By doing this we will realize how truly lucky we are. For, by only looking at those who have more, we remain unsatisfied and ultimately become envious.
However, this attitude of looking at those with less does not apply in the least to the spiritual realm of our lives. In spiritual matters, in refinement of our emotions and in eradicating unsatisfactory character traits, as well as in our relationship with G-d and His creatures, we must always look at those who are “higher”--those individuals who, through working on themselves--have become more refined and more in touch with G-d and His Torah.
In fact, the Previous Rebbe states unequivocally that that which is considered a good trait in material matters--being satisfied with one’s lot--is actually a tremendous flaw if it is applied to the duties of the heart and soul. Therefore, when our Sages taught, “Who is rich? One who is happy with his portion,” this was stated only in connection with one’s portion in the physical world. In the spiritual world we should continuously be striving to improve our lot.
