Love What You Contribute and Never Work A Day In Your Life
I visited with a friend yesterday in his office and he shared how fortunate he feels that he loves coming to work. He has a great team that he works with, and mainly he feels very good about the things he has produced and is very excited about the new items that are in production.
It was Tu Bshvat that day, the New Year for trees, and so I told him that this is actually the message we take from this holiday.
The Torah compares man to a tree in the field, and many commentaries have elaborated on this verse.
They share different reasons why we are analogous to a tree.
One key similarity is that so much of man’s purpose, like a tree, is to leave an impact- to bear fruit- to be a contributor to humanity and to the world.
Every single one of us has something to offer and some way in which we make a difference.
Some invent things that others can benefit from.
Some have great teaching or communication skills.
Some have generous hearts that bring light and love to others.
Some plant or prep the delicious food that nourishes us.
Some research and come up with solutions for what we struggle with.
Some are amazing caretakers and some are gifted healers.
The list goes on.
On a related note, it so happens that fruit are not an absolute necessity in life.
They are an extra- a pleasure.
It would make all the difference in the world if you took note of what it is that you do to contribute, i.e notice what your fruit are, and with more conscious awareness of it, you’ll hopefully also take more pleasure in it.
You are already showing up to work, to family, to life, and there is clearly something you bring to the table.
How amazing would it be if the fruit you offered the world, were also your pleasure?
Indeed, you’d never work a day in your life;)
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom.
