|
|
Home
and Family
KEEP SMILING
by Avrohom Tzvi Schwartz
Ovinu Malkeinu — Our Father, Our King Love +
Fear = Happiness
Here is a formula to think over: Love + Fear = Happiness. Our
real happiness comes from trying our best — doing,
thinking, saying all we can. But, together with doing, is a
"feeling," an "emotion" — an attitude that accompanies
us along the way. Which attitude should we adopt as we strive
to do our best? Seemingly, the best choice is love. To do
with love is to do more. To do with love is to give more
— more of ourselves, more of our energy, more of our
hopes. But to live only with love is like walking a tightrope
— we may easily fall from it. For when we act with
love, we are tempted to think, "Surely I have proved myself;
surely, I have shown my dedication — now I can rest."
This, however, is a mistake. For, in truth, not from love do
we speak these words, but from laziness — from a desire
to rest, to relax - - from a wish to sit amongst the
butterflies and do nothing. So, we need another emotion,
another attitude. This is fear. We must be afraid that our
friend will tire of us, will walk away from us. Such a fear
is a good fear, a healthy fear. It leads us to try harder, to
do more, to be more. And together with love, it can lead us
to every happiness and success.
|
