|
|
|
|
"All her ways are
ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace." The Ways of Heaven is to promote pleasantness. Learn a lesson from technology. A smooth running machine is a combination of many different pieces, each performing a different function, often in many different ways, yet, each working together, each doing its own job, each functioning in harmony with all the other pieces that make up the smooth running machine. When the Ways of Heaven are followed by humanity then human society operates as smoothly as a machine. A machine breaks down when an individual part does not perform its function. By not doing its share, this creates a chain reaction disabling other parts from properly functioning. The whole depends upon the operation of the individual. When each part operates smoothly with the others this is called pleasantness when applied to humanity. In the machine, parts that are well greased move easily with regards to one another. In human society, individuals who act with pleasantness towards one another allow for the smooth operation of human affairs. Pleasantness can thus be called a kind of human grease. Yet, unlike machine grease, human grease makes one clean, not dirty. Human grease is the proper personality and behavior that allows us to get along well with one another, thus enabling our communities to function with the highest degree of cooperation and mutual benefit. Pleasantness creates peace. Pleasantness by its very nature solicits kind response and cooperation. This is echoed by the old saying, “you attract more with honey than with vinegar.” When one acts nice the chances are one will be treated nice. This is a simple formula, which apparently baffles many. Many individuals treat others with terrible disrespect, impatience and outright meanness and then wonder obliviously why others treat them in like kind. Some are just so blind that they do not see how their own dishonorable behavior boomerangs back and hits them square in the head. The simple truth is what you show to others is what they show to you, be it to your face, or behind your back. Be good and you will be treated well. Be bad, and you will be treated badly. One who acts pleasantly creates peace and good will. One who acts pleasantly, creating goodwill and peace wherever one goes never has to watch ones back for betrayers or back-stabbers. For as one creates a path of pleasantness and peace before one, so that path continues behind one after one has past by. A good individual creates an environment wherein which others treat them well. Pleasantness and peace create a stable and sound environment; they establish a safe and secure path; they transform the individual filling them with all of life’s good things. Pleasantness and peace are not magic; on the contrary, they are common sense. Learn from the machine how all parts work together in harmony (peace). We are better than machines. We can do what they can, and more.
Comments? Questions?
Yeshivat Lev Torah -
Collel Benei N'vi'im |
|
|
