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Recently, I met with an ailing person of commerce. This individual was in hospital for a relatively minor procedure that is common with people of that age, gender, diet and physical activity level. I was requested not for prayers for well being. It was clear the person was near home discharge. The medical staff did their jobs well.
The reason for the request for Pastoral care was a sense of alienation, and lack of life meaning for this person. The individual was quick to state that there were no apologies to make for being successful in career. Decades of working hard and working smart paid off. A loneliness and the lack of feeling happy were getting to this individual.
I agreed that there is a practical side to life. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail. I am only able to afford a meager Chaplains pay now because I worked my way up the corporate ladder to CEO, prior to retirement. There is no shame in earning an honest dollar. Still, a person is not an ATM. Heaven forbid that the value of a person is totally conveyed by their financial net worth.
To make my point, I referred to a famous soliloquy from the Yiddish play, Der Dybbuk, by S. Ansky.
The Meshulem, a messenger from G-d, is talking with an unhappy merchant. The man of commerce cannot understand why he isn't happier. He has worked long and hard to reach his financial goals. He exceeded them all. There is still a sense of void within.
The Meshulem asks him to look through the window to the street outside. He does. The Meshulem asks him what he sees. He replies that he views people. Then the Meshulem asks him to view a dressing mirror. Again. Meshulem asks, what does he see. His reply is, myself.
The Meshulem observes that a window and a mirror are both made of glass. Owing to the silver in back of the mirror, to reflect light, what is perceived is different than the window. Through glass you see people. With some silver behind you, all you see is yourself.
Making an honest living, and succeeding is not a bad thing. In life, it is hardly the only thing.
Peace and Blessings to One and All (Including Mirror Manufacturers). Enoch.
