Rowing or Kayaking on the Concord River just up the road is always a breath of fresh air. The glistening rays of sunlight on the ripples of water and the lilies, coupled with the stillness and silence of the beauty around you, and the occasional splash of the oar, make for a truly refreshing experience each time.
As we paddle and row downstream the natural current of the river just pulls you with it, requiring very little effort to move the boat down stream, under the drooping willow trees, seeing the turtles and the occasional beautiful bird.
Yet going back upstream can occasionally take a little longer, as the natural pull of the current makes the effort just a little bit harder. We always allow a little extra time to get back to the South Bridge Boathouse, knowing that this is the case. Of course we could simply go with the downstream currents and not try and go back upstream, but that wouldn't get us where we need to go.
Kayaking against the flow of the river is in itself not only a healthy pursuit, but also a lesson in life, as we learn to go upstream and against the currents around us.
Every time we row, we can know that the more resistance, often means better momentum and speed. True the muscles may hurt a little at the end and you may even end up with a blister or two, but the more energy we put in, the more momentum we create, no matter which way the currents are flowing.
Life is no different, we often can face currents that are pulling us in one direction, sometimes being so consuming and tiring and giving us blisters and make us tired from exhaustion. Trying to go with the flow and the currents may be the easiest thing to do, and often seems so tempting.
Yet, if we want to head to our destination in life, and be the individual and Jewish person that G-d wants us to be as we live up to our potential, simply going with the flow will probably not get us to where we need.
Being prepared to row against the currents, even if it is hard, is what will allow us to maximize the journey, so that not only we enjoy the beauty of the world around us, but we also focus and make good things happen, that align with our destination and goals.
In this week's portion, Re-eh, "See", we are encouraged to see the choices of each moment, the good and bad potential of each choice, and to ultimately make the good choice. Indeed choosing what is right, is not always the easiest thing to do, and in the short term it seems like we are fighting so hard to go against the currents, but ul;timately it is those right choices, which will help us move ourselves and the world around us, to the destination and goals up ahead.
As you continue to row upstream in life, let the sun shine down on you, take in the beauty and blessings of the world around us, and remind yourself, that even if it is a little hard and we face soi much resistance, our destination and goals, make it all worth it.
Shabbat Shalom and Good Shabbos
Yisroel