Appreciation for the joy that life offers

This past year, I found myself on more than one occasion thinking about the story of the poor man who lived with his wife and six children in a very small one-room house. They were always getting in each other’s way and there was so little space they could hardly breathe!

Eventually, the man took his wife’s advice to go see if the rabbi could help. After hearing the story, the rabbi said, “Do exactly as I tell you and things will get better. Do you promise?” “I promise,” the man said. The rabbi then asked a strange question. “Do you own any animals?” “Yes,” he said. “I have one cow, one goat and some chickens.”

“Good,” the rabbi said. “When you get home, take all the animals into your house to live with you.”

The man was astonished to hear this advice, but he had promised to do exactly what the rabbi said. So, he went home and brought all the animals into the tiny one-room house.

The next day the man ran back to the rabbi. “What have you done to me, Rabbi?” he cried. “It’s awful. I did what you told me, and the animals are all over the house! The goat is smashing up all the furniture and eating everything in sight!” The rabbi said, “Go home and remove the goat.”

The next morning he returned and was told to remove the chickens. The day after that the rabbi said to remove the cow.

The day after the cow departed, the man came running back to the rabbi again. “O Rabbi,” he said with a big smile on his face, “we have such a good life now. The animals are all out of the house. The house is so quiet and we’ve got room to spare! What a joy!”

Friends, this story resonates with us on multiple levels during this pandemic. For some, especially those with children, this story expresses what it has been like with everyone more trapped within their homes. When schools closed and activities stopped, our houses and condos that once seemed large, suddenly began to shrink. Virtual workplaces and virtual school happening under the same roof at the same time — felt very much like having the chickens, cow and goat indoors! As restrictions eased, we began to feel the release of freedom — and a renewed appreciation for the spaces we have.

Looking from another angle, the story also connects to an opportunity that we have right now in Southwest Florida. This time of year, which we colloquially refer to as “Season,” is filled to the brim with activities, events, lunches, dinners and more programs that any one person could possibly attend. In most years, we spend January through April running day after day through our jam-packed schedules. The calendar equivalent of moving not just a chicken, goat and cow into our homes, but also throwing in a horse, donkey and flock of geese!

2021 will be different. Yes, there are still many activities, social events and good causes that call upon us through virtual engagement. But this year, we have time to do more. Time to spend outside appreciating this beautiful place we call home. More opportunities for us to engage in meaningful conversations, where we can really talk about things that matter — and not just say hello across a crowded event space. Time to appreciate the blessings that have been bestowed upon us without worrying that we may be missing the next big thing.

Our schedules more open, may this year renew our gratitude for the blessings we have, and our appreciation for the joy that life has to offer.

L’shalom.

Rabbi Miller serves at Temple Shalom