Earlier this week my wife had to do a major presentation.
Well, the day before the talk, for the first time in her life, she got laryngitis.
Her talk was to be 10 minutes before a panel of 12 people. She would do a question and answer session with them afterward.
Backing out was not an option. We decided to use a little humor.
The talk had to do with the use of technology in forming a community. She joked that perhaps she should deliver her presentation via text message. It got some laughs, and the talk, so she reported, went well.
Life does that to us sometimes. We plan for every scenario but then something unexpected happens.
What we do next makes all the difference.
Jonathan Sacks, the retired Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, tells a story about a medical examination he underwent after becoming Chief Rabbi.
The doctor put him on a treadmill. He then walked at a rapid pace.
Rabbi Sacks asked the doctor, “What are you testing? How fast I can go, or how long?”
“Neither,” the doctor replied. “What I am testing is how long it takes you—after you come off the treadmill—for your pulse to return to normal.”
That is the test of resilience. That is the test of our ability to survive and recover.
And it is the most important test of all.
Not only our health—but also our success and character—is measured by resilience.
We will not always be the fastest and strongest. And life will throw unexpected barriers in our way. How we respond is up to us. And so much rests on faith.
Gird your spirit to respond to life’s challenges with www.rabbimoffic.com/devotions
Rabbi Evan Moffic
evan@rabbi.me
Evan Moffic
Congregation Solel
1301 Clavey Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035, United State
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