SO MANY WHYS

  Take a look around at the world and the title is understood. There are so many 'why' questions that apparently cannot or will not be answered for many reasons. Some of those reasons are quite unreasonable too! 

Of course, the first why is generally one that a little one will ask of a parent after the first unpleasant experience outside the protective shield of the home. That is: "Why can't everybody be nice?" Good question, don't ya' think? Out of the mouths of babes come the most innocent, obvious questions - for which I, and many others, have yet to find good, solid answers. 

These are usually questions we should be asking of ourselves and others. But we don't. Worse, we too often forget the question and answer and there is a detrimental change in our behavior. Our patience is an endangered species, so to speak. We forget all that we learned at our parents' knees and in kindergarten! We forget that decency is contagious as is nastiness, so why not take the former way rather than the latter? Why? Cannot figure it out. 

Why is the sky blue and similar questions are also asked, but they are ones we can answer. Or look up via our handy-dandy Apple watches strapped to our wrists. Informative, beneficial, with the only drawback being the possible, probable, inability of said adult to navigate the watch! So why was it bought? Why? Lots of mostly harmless reasons, no hurt involved other than to one's financial well-being. Good 'why' questions with fathomable answers.

My 'why' question is this: Why do we persist in maintaining that nasty part of us, the part that emerges at the wrong time, the one that reminds us of the worst personalities of Sybil. It gains us nothing in the long run - possibly even in the short run, for satisfaction is often soured by recognition of our wrongdoing and our shame at having done so, been that ugly person. It is a red ink manner of behavior for it actually costs something every time we stray off that 'nice' path. 

Our souls are our banks of humanity. Harm that bank and the damage accumulates. It eats away at it, compromises its integrity and purity, sours the proverbial heart, and actually, has a long-term effect on the physical realm as well. What we gain via misdeeds, by failing to respect others, is actually a loss. 

We harm ourselves, find our bottom lines of humanity and decency drowning in red ink, our soul bank diminishing. We forget that wrongdoing reverberates, echoes through time, landing right back where it began, even years later. There is that circle of life again. Not so Disneyesque, is it? Why? 

And why do we persist? Why can we not find the answer or the moral stamina to simply face up to the facts and change our ways. It is so much more of a pleasant life when one gets a smile rather than a muttered undertone of anger, hate, and a look that would kill if it could. Why can we not resist the temptations and feel better about ourselves and our accomplishments and rewards, achieved without stepping on the heads, toes, and dignity of others riding through life with us, long term or short matters not. Why? 

Way above my pay grade. All I, one, can do is look to oneself and keep our homes clean and bright. Keep the deposits to that soul bank coming and withdrawals at a minimum. Be the best human you can be and influence others to emulate you. In simple language - be nice. Does not cost much at all with great remunerative value.

Would it not make a significant difference to our world, our lives, if we were to behave with each other, approach all with a shared humanity and dignity. Avoid the negative and emphasize the positive. Always begin with a positive, a word of praise. It opens the door to better communication - just a 'nice' thing to do with awesome payback. To feel good about actions and attitudes is the best. To feel guilt, particularly long term, over the years, remembered from the past is the worst, cutting and bitter.  

 'Why' is a good question here. I have tried to answer it, at least to my satisfaction. Hopefully, it will keep me on my toes, in best mode, will try my best. No one is infallible other than G-d. But we are endowed with qualities and abilities to perfect ourselves as best and as long as we can.

Why do I write this now? In another two months it will be Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a time of great introspection, regret, asking forgiveness of those who suffered from our wrongdoing, meant or accidental, a time of deep introspection and a new accounting of our soul bank. 

Some songs sung by Sarit Hadad spurred me into this thinking, via a beautiful voice, a sincere faith expressed via the lyrics and a personal touching of my heart and soul. Life has handed me a few knocks over the years, particularly this year. I have also been blessed with a beautiful adorable great grandson who has a "squooshy" hold on my heart. Along with the huge number of those praying for Yitzy, and in his positive progress in fighting cancer. Always I have been blessed with great family, those here and those gone before us. My children and husband have gifted me with joy my entire life and may it long continue as well as the blessing of wonderful friends, far better than I deserve. Somewhere along the line I did manage to do something good or several somethings. I hope. 

All I or anyone can do is try to improve the financial outlook for my soul bank this coming year and for all the rest of the years G-d grants me on this Earth. Afterwards? Up or down? Why? That is for me to figure out and for G-d to be generous in His evaluation of my life and the state of my soul bank.

In the meanwhile,

Together and together to rebuild America.

Together. Together. Together.

Together we can

HEAL THE WORLD.

HEAL YITZY!

Yitzchak Elimelech ben Chana Sarah

May he be granted refuah shelaymah bimheyrah beyameinu.