It’s all in our perspective. The light we shine on our lives by being thankful for what we have, makes all the difference. We can literally create a new reality with thankfulness and a positive outlook on life!
A well-to-do person looks out the window at one who struggles and quietly thinks to himself, “Thank you Hashem for what you have given me.” That very same poor person, when he passes by one who is unfortunately homeless, gives thanks for having someplace to live. And so it goes, the homeless person could look at an ambulance and be thankful he’s not on the way to a hospital. Indeed, the person riding in the ambulance is thankful that he is still alive when he sees someone in the hospital that didn't survive.
There is always something to be eternally grateful for – we just need to keep looking until our eyes can see the goodness which is always there. The signs are usually right in front of us and if we look good enough there is usually a heavenly hug waiting there for us as well.
Yosef Hatzaddik, at 17 years old, was thrown into a dark pit with snakes and scorpions by his very own brothers! His world was full of darkness. But in the midst of all this pain, he was shown a heavenly hug – the Egyptian traders who normally carry foul smelling items, carried Yosef down to Egypt, amongst the sweet smelling fragrances that they had opted to trade this one time!
Hashem is telling Yosef and by extension, all of us, “my children, you may have to go through hard times, very dark times – but if you look closely you can always see something to be thankful for, something that will change your outlook.”
And so it is with Chanukah, a little bit of light can push away so much of the darkness. We fought and defeated a world class army, all because we believed in miracles. We looked for the light in a place of darkness and were rewarded with victory. Our thankfulness extends from generation to generation and the lights that remind us of the miracles we experienced, burn brightly in our homes for eight days illuminating our lives once more.
Our children carry a light within themselves as well. A light so powerful, yet fragile – nurtured by our patience, hope and love. Chanukah, the yomtov of family togetherness teaches us that lesson. Even though it may not seem that way sometimes, our children long to share their light with us. Together we can conquer any challenge!
May the victories of years past give us the strength, faith and hope we need to achieve a lasting victory, Bayamim hahaim, bazman hazeh!
A Feilichin Chanukah!
Adding Light, Joy and Hope
Written by R’ Avrohom Hillel Reich based on a lesson and story by Harav Ben Tziyon Sneh Shlita
